Enrolments for 2020 have closed.
I Shop, Therefore I Am: Global Consumer Society
Undergraduate | MAQ-SOCX2040 | 2020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2024 course intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed,
- No prior study
- Duration
- 18 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
I Shop, Therefore I Am: Global Consumer Society
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Use sociological theories and concepts to critically analyse modern consumption with attention to a historical, economic, cultural and social context
- Explain from an intersectional perspective how individual identities and actions are interrelated to gender, racial and other inequalities and hierarchies at the local and global levels
- Learn to make a persuasive, reasoned argument based on research, critical thinking and a synthesis of scholarly and non-scholarly ideas; Develop research skills to analyse an existing social justice initiative and respond to a real-life problem of ethics such as gender/race discrimination and global inequality
- Advocate for social justice causes and propose practical solutions to inequalities by effectively communicating to specialist and layperson audiences in written and oral forms
- Communicate and develop ideas individually and collectively through active listening and speaking, personal reflection, and constructive debates with peers from diverse backgrounds
- Build on and apply new knowledge and skills to future academic and professional development, both as an independent learner and an effective team member
- The emergence of modern consumer culture
- Mass consumption and mass production
- Consumption and social class
- Consumption and solidarity
- Self-improvement
- Consumption in the digital economy
- Consumer activism
- Consumption, work and global inequality
- Overconsumption and the environment
In our consumer society, we are what we buy. When you purchase organic coffee, fast-fashion clothes or an adventure trip abroad, it is about your identity, status and belonging. Consumer choices are also shaped by social conventions, cultural meanings and workings of capitalism. This unit examines everyday consumption in the past and the present, from a global and intersectional perspective and through the lens of power and justice. The aim is to address urgent questions of our time such as: In what ways can we use consumer power to challenge gender, racial and other inequalities? What new opportunities and problems emerge in the age of digital consumption? How can we balance environmental protection and the pleasure of consuming stuff? This unit is suitable for a wide range of students, including those interested in society and culture, gender studies, social justice, media and economy.
- Class participation (20%)
- Analytical writing (30%)
- Research brief (20%)
- Group work (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-ART-DEG
Single subject FAQs
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions .
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.