SOCI 2011 - Consumption, Work and the Self II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2018

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 required to undertake a textual or discourse analysis as part of the applied component of the course. They will also be required to undertake a critical reflection of their own experiences of work and consumption.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code SOCI 2011
    Course Consumption, Work and the Self II
    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 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Incompatible GWSI 2002, GWSI 3002, GWSI 2100/EX, GSSA 2100/EX, GSSA 3003/EX, SOCI 2011EX, SOCI 3009/EX
    Course Description 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 required to undertake a textual or discourse analysis as part of the applied component of the course. They will also be required to undertake a critical reflection of their own experiences of work and consumption.
    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
    1 Recognise key socioliological 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 sociological 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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2,3,4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3,4,5,6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1,6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    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 attend 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 participate in small group discussions and structured activities designed to cover required reading, consolidate concepts and employ critical thinking skills, examine case studies, and work towards completing their research project.
    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
    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
    NIL
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    The SGDE component of 2 hours will require students to spend at least half of that time working together in small groups of 6-8 analysing case studies and preparing brief presentations of their findings to the larger group.
  • 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 Outcome
    1000 word research exercise Formative & Summative 25% 1,2,3,6
    2000 word research exercise Summative 45% 1,2,5,6
    Class attendance & participation Formative & Summative 10% 1,4
    Online Quizzes based on lectures Summative 20% 1
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are required to complete all assessment tasks to be eligible to pass this course
    Assessment Detail
    1000 word research exercise: This assignment will require students to locate and gather evidence from a variety of sources, for example, current television series, print and online media articles, academic literature, reputable sources of statistical information & lecture material. Further instructions will be available on MyUni.

    2000 word research project: This assignment will require students to gather data throughout the semester about their own consumption practices, and use this data as part of a small research project. Further evidence will need to be sourced from lectures, academic literature (including that provided in the Reader), and other reputable sources. More detailed instructions will be available on MyUni.

    Class attendance & participation: Assessment for this assignment will include attendance and engagement with weekly reading and structured activities.

    Two Online Quizzes based on Lectures: These assignments will require students to review the lecture content twice during semester and demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and debates, and a familiarity with sociological theorists discussed throughout the semester.
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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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