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Consumer Culture
ANTH376 SP

This course examines the formation and current state of consumer culture, primarily in the United States but with references to European and Third World societies. Phenomena to be considered include advertising, mass-circulation magazines, department stores, the contribution of Hollywood movies and television to a consumption ethic and the use of commodities in the construction of distinctive lifestyles. The overarching theme is the idea of consumption as a modern (or postmodern) form of social contro l

MAJOR READINGS

Weber, selections Bourdieu, DISTINCTION Lasch, CULTURE OF NARCISSISM Haug, COMMODITY AESTHETICS Marchand, ADVENTURING THE AMERICAN DREAM Gitlin, WATCHING TELEVISION

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Short paper, oral presentation and final research project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Additional Requirements and/or Comments not known

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000

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