326-224/324 The Consumer Age

Coordinator:

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Objectives:

Students completing this subject should be able to:

• demonstrate a knowledge of the nature of, and reasons for, the changes which have occurred over time in the production, marketing and distribution of consumer goods;

• demonstrate a knowledge of the significance of various quality characteristics which affect the demand for consumer goods;

• demonstrate a knowledge of some of the similarities and contrasts between consumers in the west and those in Asian countries, notably Japan.

Content:

This is a thematic subject which analyses the complex processes by which the modern consumer society has evolved. It is both historical and comparative; it provides an understanding of change through time and, where possible, it contrasts the experience of the west with that of a number of Asian countries, notably Japan. The emphasis is heavily on the twentieth century. The subject is interdisciplinary in that it involves a consideration of a range of social, psychological and economic factors affecting both the supply of and demand for consumer goods. The following topics are discussed: making consumer goods; marketing consumer goods; distributing consumer goods; the quality characteristics of consumer goods; and consumers east and west.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

The Consumer Age: Tutorial Readings (Details from the Department).