HIS2354 ¨C The History of Consumption

Course content

The history of consumerism in the twentieth century has become a vital and vibrant area of academic research. This module offers insights into this relatively new field of work taking a broad transnational perspective. The aim is to show that the history of consumption is a promising alternative approach to the historical analysis of society. The module combines traditional political history with recent research topics, such as environment, generation and gender relations. Strong emphasis will be laid on the interaction of consumption, politics, society and economy within different European political systems. Throughout the seminars there will be made use of different kinds of primary material, ranging from more traditional written sources to visual materials such as posters and adverts.

Learning outcome

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to

• recognize the principal developments in the history of twentieth-century European consumerism
• identify and contextualize the main interpretative trends and problems of the period
• undertake an advanced analysis of a wide range of primary sources
• provide an individual synthesis based on a reading of the primary sources and secondary commentaries

In terms of more general skills, the students will be able to

• initiate and participate in discussions of academic texts;
• comment on and discuss remarks from other students;
• work with others in small groups;
• present one¡¯s work to the class and provide feedback on other students? work.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Recommended previous knowledge

A background of at least 30 credits in humanities or social sciences.

A good ability to read, write and understand English is required for this course.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with HIS4354 ¨C The History of Consumption.

Teaching

• The course will be taught in twelve two-hour session. The classes will consist of both lectures and seminars.
• The first week will consist of a general introduction to the theme and to the state of the research. We will critically assess theoretical frameworks for writing the history of consumption, refresh skills in analysing sources and discuss new ways of approaching written as well as sources beyond the text. Students should build on these introductory weeks in their own reading.
• The remainder of the course will be divided into themes, each revolving around a different aspect of the history of consumption in the long 20th century.

Resources and information in this course will be given in Canvas.

Compulsory assignment:

• Participants shall write an obligatory abstract (1.5 to 2 pages) on a topic of their choosing but within the framework of the course. If accepted - subject to possible revision - this will qualify for the final examination. More information will be given in class. The abstract has to be accepted in the semester you are handing in the term paper.
• Obligatory participation in seminar discussions in 9 out of 12 seminars.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

The final examination will take the form of a term paper:

• Your paper should not exceed 4500 words, footnotes included. The bibliography is not included in the word count.
• Do not write your name in your exam (term paper). Use your candidate number. It is a four digit number which you will find next to your exam registration in StudentWeb. You are given a unique candidate number for each exam. Please include the course code and candidate number in the header and page numbers in the footer.

The students are responsible for making sure that the documents are complete upon submitting them. The submissions will be assessed in the form by which they are uploaded by the students. Unreadable or incomplete documents are assessed as they are.

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.