We behave in particular ways within the parameters that the world of retail provides for us. But those behaviours are far from meaningless; they express what it means to be a citizen of a consumer society’ (Miles, 2016: 3).
The module builds upon theoretical insights introduced in the previous year of this degree programme. It explores the wide-reaching meaning that retail or ‘shopping’ actually holds in our consumer society. A number of major transitions are happening in society, to include economic, technological and identity-related transitions. These will be explored in relation to retail consumption. In particular, students will be introduced to Netnography, a qualitative research method that explores consumer’s online social behaviour on the Internet.
- Introduction to Consumer Society
- Historical Trajectory of Retail & Consumption as an academic discipline
- Netnography as a research tool in online retail space
- Consumer and Retail Brand Communities
- Consuming Social Class
- Cultural Meaning and Retail Consumption
- Consumer & Social Well-being
- Retail & Identity
- Gender & Retail Consumption
Lectures, video, case studies, class discussion, peer presentations. Throughout the module the students are encouraged to undertake independent reading to supplement and consolidate what is being learnt in class and to broaden their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject. Students will have access to all learning material via the class VLE, Brightspace
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |