UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

ATS2874 Consumer cultures

Faculty of Arts

ATS2874 Consumer cultures is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Arts, offered in 2027 in Semester 1 at Caulfield and Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points: 6
Offered in 2027: Semester 1; Caulfield, Clayton
Assessment: No exam; 3 tasks
Workload: 144 hours; per semester

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Requisites

Before ATS2874

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After ATS2874

No unit lists ATS2874 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisite: Must have completed 12 credit points of first year Arts units

Overview

Digital technologies are changing the ways we shop and consume goods and services today. Contemporary consumption is faster and more convenient than ever but it is also marred by concerns over commodification, automation, data privacy, labour rights and environmental harm. In this unit you will explore contemporary consumption as a dynamic, digitally mediated system of relations, values, practices and interests, which have significant social and environmental impacts. Using concepts from critical consumer research and cultural and media studies, you will examine diverse examples of consumer media and technology, including e-commerce, retail tech, branding and influencers. You will learn about consumption as an ordinary and everyday practice that can also be a site of activism, ethics and social change. You will be guided to develop and carry out your own media research on an aspect of consumption and its impacts.

Offerings in 2027

Teaching period	Campus	Mode
First semester	Caulfield	On campus
First semester	Clayton	On campus

Assessment

Online quizQuiz / Test
20%
Design projectProject
30%
ReportWritten
50%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1
Analyse the role of digital media and technologies in contemporary consumption grounded in relevant consumer, cultural and media studies scholarship;
2
Apply approaches from consumer, cultural and media studies to the design of a research project on consumer culture;
3
Formulate and communicate effectively appropriate research questions and arguments on how consumer culture is constituted and impactful.

Workload and teaching

Lectures12 hours
Tutorials24 hours
Teaching approachActive learning

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per teaching period typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

The unit will integrate peer review/feedback activities (e.g. in class presentation prior to A2).

Where it fits

ATS2874 is part of 4 areas of study in the 2027 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators: Dr Aneta Podkalicka
Chief Examiners: Dr Aneta Podkalicka

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for ATS2874?

ATS2874 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is ATS2874 offered?

In 2027, ATS2874 runs in Semester 1 at Caulfield and Clayton.

How much work is ATS2874?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does ATS2874 have an exam?

No. ATS2874 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.

Which majors and minors include ATS2874?

ATS2874 is part of Communications and media studies; Media; and Public relations.

More details

Credit points: 6
Level: 2
Study level: Undergraduate
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Organisational unit: Media

Type: Coursework
EFTSL: 0.125
Student contribution: SCA Band 4
Study abroad: Available
Handbook years: 20262027