Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2110: Consumption and Society

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • The rise of consumer culture
  • Consumption as distinction
  • Consumption and the self
  • Sites of consumption
  • Advertising
  • Consumption and the environment
  • Anti-consumerism/alternative consumption

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
241260

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities2211 x 2 hour lecture/seminars will consist of a lecture element introducing key theories and issues and a seminar element
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities2Examination revision session
Guided Independent Study36Readings for seminars
Guided Independent Study10 Preparation for seminar presentation
Guided Independent Study40 Researching and writing the essay
Guided Independent Study40 Readings and revisions for examinations

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Discussion of compulsory readings in seminarsThroughout term (5 minutes)1-10Oral commentary on discussion in seminars

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50500

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay502,500 words1-8, 10Written feedback
Examination 501 hour1-8, 10Written feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (2,500 words)1-8, 10August/September reassessment period
ExaminationExamination (1 hour)1-8, 10August/September reassessment period