SOCI 3009 - Consumption, Work and the Self III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

The contemporary focus on the individual as distinct from society is one of the hallmarks of post-industrial western societies. The ways in which young people are increasingly invited to imagine and construct their identity through consumption as opposed to other aspects of the self, such as work, community relations or ethical beliefs is a particular concern of the course. This is an applied course which examines new and emerging theories, practices and experiences of consumption, work and identity and how they relate to current debates around citizenship in the broader context. Students will focus on examples drawn from advertising and the rhetoric of capitalism, personal self-presentation and development, lifestyle marketing, financial aspirations, regulation of work, the music industry and urban living. Students will be Students will be required to undertake an independent research project as part of the applied component of the course.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code SOCI 3009
    Course Consumption, Work and the Self III
    Coordinating Unit Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
    Incompatible GWSI 2002, GWSI 2100, GSSA 2100EX, GSSA 3003EX, SOCI 2100, SOCI 2100EX, SOCI 3003EX
    Assessment Online quizzes 15%, Individual presentation 5%, Class attendance and participation 10%, Minor Research Project 25%, Major Research Project 45%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Dee Michell

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Recognise key interdisciplinary theorists, concepts, debates and social research methods used to explore ideas and practices around consumption, work and identity.
    2 Locate, analyse and critique academic literature in relation to consumption and work.
    3 Evaluate media representations of consumption and work in relation to academic literature.
    4 Work collaboratively in small groups to examine and appraise contemporary consumption and work practices.
    5 Plan and conduct a research project.
    6 Write logical, sustained and coherent arguments based on evidence and considering a range of socio-cultural perspectives.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2,3,4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3,4,5,6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    3,4,5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    A Course Reader will be available to purchase from the Image & Copy Centre (Level 1, Hughes Building). The Course Reader will also be made available electronically via MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    A variety of resources to assist in assignment preparation will be made available via MyUni throughout the semester.
    Online Learning
    All course related material will be available via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Throughout the semester students will be required to attend or listen to a 1 hour lecture and a 2 hour SGDE each week. The lectures will introduce key terms, relevant theorists and diverse ways of exploring the subject matter. During the seminar students will be required to act as leaders in small group discussions as well as participate in structured activities designed to cover required reading, consolidate concepts and employ critical thinking skills, and examine case studies.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week  24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL = 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    1 Introduction to the course
    2 Identity, Subjectivity, Performativity
    3 Learning to Consume
    4 Cultural Omnivores and Taste Cultures
    5 Online Identities and Quantifying the Self
    6 Aesthetic and Emotional Labour
    7 Examining Workplaces
    8 Invisible work
    9 Work/Life Collision and the Work/Spend Cycle
    10 Consumption and Class: From Bogans to hipsters
    11 Sustainability and Anti-Consumption Movements
    12 Where to from here
    Specific Course Requirements
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Course Learning Outcomes
    Minor Research Project Formative & Summative 25% 1,2,3,6
    Major Research Project Summative 45% 1,2,5,6
    Individual Presentation  Formative & Summative 5% 1,2,3,4
    Participation Formative & Summative 10% 1,4
    Online Quizzes  Summative 15% 1
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are required to complete all assessment tasks to be eligible to pass this course.
    Assessment Detail
    Minor research exercise: This assignment will require students to critically evaluate several peer review articles. Further instructions will be available on MyUni.

    Major research project: This assignment will require students to gather primary data throughout the semester about their own consumption practices, as well as interview friends not doing the course. Students will then use this primary data as part of a larger research project. Further evidence will need to be sourced from academic literature and other reputable sources. More detailed instructions will be available on MyUni.

    Participation in scheduled activities.

    Individual presentation. This assignment will require students to do one formal presentation during the semester.

    Online Quizzes will require students to regularly review the lecture content during semester and demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and debates, and a familiarity with theorists discussed throughout the semester.
    Submission
    All submission via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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