SCH-20806 Lifestyles and Consumption Patterns I

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

MCB-10304; MCB-10404

Expected knowledge on:

MCB-10304; MCB-10404

Contents:

The course is the first of two courses (second one is ECH-22304) in which life styles and consumption patterns are analysed from a sociological and economic perspective. The two courses can be followed separately for students doing them as an optional. Lectures will be given (attendance is compulsory), the students have to do literature study and write and present a paper. The course focuses on the social and economic context of and theoretical approaches to life styles and consumption patterns.
Five theoretical clusters will be covered by the lectures: consumer theory; consumers, household and family ; modernization theory; the welfare state; the concept of life style. Week 6 is reserved for student presentations.
While the course is compulsory for BC/MECS students with specialisation consumer and students with another bachelors degree who do a masters in BC/MECS with specialisation Consumer, it will also be relevant for other BC/MECS students and for (inter)-national students interested in consumer sciences.

Aims:

- familiarize the students with socio-economical and socio-logical approaches to the study of life styles and consumer patterns;
- enhance the ability of the students to analyse linkages between the societal context and life styles and consumer patterns.

Activities:

1. lectures:
For five weeks there will be two double lectures, presenting consecutively economic and sociological approaches. Week 6 is reserved for student presentations;
2. literature study;
3. problem-oriented activities;
Students will work in small groups to apply one of the theoretical approaches (1 to 5) to a topic of their choice about which they have to write a short paper and prepare a presentation.

Examination:

Written examination on the lectures and the literature and a paper (see above).
Further written information on the course will be distributed at the first lecture.

Literature:

The studiewijzer will contain a list of compulsory literature, available through the SCH secretariate.