By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Explain key theoretical approaches to consumption, including classical and contemporary perspectives (e.g., Marx, Veblen, Bourdieu, cultural economy approaches).

Analyze how consumption practices are shaped by social class, inequality, gender, and cultural capital across different social contexts.

Evaluate the relationship between consumer culture, identity formation, and symbolic distinction using empirical case studies.

Apply sociological and cultural theory to interpret everyday consumption practices such as fashion, food, digital media use, and lifestyle choices.

Critically assess how globalization, digital platforms, and neoliberal economic structures transform consumption patterns and cultural hierarchies.

Conduct a small-scale qualitative or mixed-method research project examining consumption practices in a specific social group or cultural setting.

Present analytical arguments about consumption and class relations through written essays, presentations, or visual research outputs using appropriate academic sources.