SC 560 Consumption and Sustainability (Fall: 3)
Offered Periodically
As ecological degradation intensified, this course addresses the role of
consumption in achieving sustainability, considering issues such as the
scale of consumption in the global north, the spread of consumer culture
globally, and the role of damaging goods and services. We begin with social
theory and apply it to sustainable consumption practices. While much of
the literature is pessimistic, consumer culture is remarkably dynamic. Students
will develop a strong analytic context and learn to evaluate the growing
literature and applied activity in this field. Readings include Bourdieu,
Giddens, Shove, Sachs, Holt, Thompson, Seyfang and others.
Juliet Schor
Last Updated: 27-JAN-11