View Specification DocumentSociology Of Consumption: Historical And Theoretical Perspectives SOCIO4037
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Social and Political Sciences
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1 (Alternate Years)
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course should -
highlight the significance of consumption as a major form of social life;
analyse the nature and historical development of contemporary consumer society;
Outline the various configurations of consumption in modern society, and also analyse the social forces which exist to regulate and control them.
Timetable
20 contact hours over the course of a single semester. This will normally consist of 2 hours per week and may be a combination of lectures and seminars/workshops.
Requirements of Entry
Mandatory Entry Requirements
Entry to Honours Sociology requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Sociology 2A and Sociology 2B as a first attempt.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None.
Assessment
An exam (100%).
Main Assessment In: April/May
Course Aims
The course forms part of the Department's Honours programme and its aims embody the intentions of this programme. The principle aim is to build on some of the central themes of Level 1 and 2 modules and provide students with a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the sociological study of consumption. More specifically, the module aims to:
■ highlight the significance of consumption as a major form of social life;
■ analyse the nature and historical development of contemporary consumer society;
■ Outline the various configurations of consumption in modern society, and also analyse the social forces which exist to regulate and control them.
■ Allow you to enhance your transferable and inter-personal skills, particularly in communication, time management, individual and group research work, and critical appraisal of social issues.
■ Enable you to develop a wide range of skills that will meet the demands of the modern labour market.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
■ critically assess the significance of consumption as an area of major sociological concern;
■ synthesise a variety of interdisciplinary approaches in a broadly sociological understanding of consumer society;
■ recognise the socially and historically specific nature of our understanding of consumption;