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Consumerism and the Growth Economy (ENST90019)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2021
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
Overview
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This interdisciplinary course focuses on theoretical, empirical, and policy issues surrounding the core ideas of consumerism, economic growth, and sustainability. Drawing on sociology, psychology, ecology, normative ethics, economics, and politics, students will critically engage questions about why people consume, how consumption and economic growth impact on the environment, and what influence institutions and public policy have, or could have, on consumption patterns in society. Attention will also be given to counter-cultural ‘alternatives’ to consumerism and the growth economy, such as the voluntary simplicity movement, transition towns, and the steady-state economy. By providing interdisciplinary perspectives on these and other issues, the aim is to enable students to recognise the complex relationship between consumption, growth, and sustainability, and to develop the skills needed to effectively confront the various social, ecological, economic, and political issues raised by consumerism and growth in today’s world.
Topics include:
- What is Sustainable Consumption?
- Cheap Energy and the Origins of Consumerism.
- An Early Critique: The Case of Henry Thoreau.
- The Income-Happiness Paradox: Is More Always Better?
- Consumption, Growth and Externalities: Where Economy Meets Ecology.
- Stuff is Not Just Stuff: Consumption as Meaning and Identity.
- The Political Economy of Consumption: The Growth Paradigm.
- Resisting Consumerism: Voluntary Simplicity and Transition Towns.
- Examining Structure: Willing Consumers or Locked In?
- Policies for Sustainable Consumption.
- Policies for Post-Growth Economics.
- Beyond Consumerism and the Growth Paradigm.
Intended learning outcomes
- Gain advanced analytical skills related to contemporary environmental issues.
- Become familiar with current debates in contemporary environmental issues.
- Expand their knowledge of environmental theories.
- Research an individual topic in the specialised area of study of this subject.
Generic skills
- Independent research on topics relevant to the subject.
- Participate successfully in group discussions.
- Further develop their critical thinking though readings, class discussions, collaboration and assessment.
- Further develop analytical approaches and knowledge in contemporary environmental issues.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Research Essay (due approximately a week after final class)
| 1 Weeks after the end of teaching | 50% |
Assignment (policy statement plus 5 minute presentation, due approximately in week 10)
| Week 10 | 50% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2021
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
The subject coordinator will provide a list of required readings.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Environment and Public Health Major Governance, Policy and Communication Major Public Health Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Governance, Policy and Markets Major Development Major Education and Social Change Major Climate Change Major Sustainable Forests Major Sustainable Forests Major Tailored Specialisation Major Education - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022