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    Overview

    Develops an in-depth study of a number of concepts in consumer behaviour within the context of consumer culture.

    About this paper

    Paper title Consumer Behaviour
    Subject Marketing
    EFTS 0.15
    Points 18 points
    Teaching period Not offered in 2026 (On campus)
    Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $1,053.30
    International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
    Prerequisite
    Two of (MART 201, MART 202, MART 203) or two of (MART 201, MART 210, MART 211, MART 212)
    Schedule C
    Commerce
    Contact

    To be advised when next offered

    Teaching staff

    To be confirmed.

    Textbooks

    Required readings are specified each week on Blackboard.

    Course outline

    View the course outline for MART 329.

    Graduate Attributes Emphasised
    Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
    View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
    Learning Outcomes

    Upon successful completion of this paper, you should be able to understand the role that consumption plays in our everyday lives. Thus, the focus is on defining what is meant by the term 'consumer culture' and acknowledging the importance of 'popular culture'. Rather than being studied in their own right, various concepts from consumer behaviour will be applied to aid in developing students' understanding of consumer and popular culture. No definitive 'answers' are provided by the paper; rather, it is exploratory in nature and aims to introduce a range of issues for discussion. It is important, therefore, that students come to class having done some reading on the week's topic and ready to participate in a class discussion. The assessments have been developed to help students further recognise the role consumption plays in their day-to-day lives. 

    Overall, the emphasis of this paper on consumer behaviour is on the social and cultural implications of consumption and the role of consumer culture and popular culture in contemporary life. By the end of the paper, students should be able to:

    • Critically assess the significance of consumer culture
    • Debate the strengths and weaknesses of competing perspectives on the role of consumption in contemporary society

    Specific skills that will be developed throughout the paper include:

    • Critical reasoning and analytical reflection
    • Verbal, visual and written communication skills
    • Informed and critical responses to academic literature
    • The appropriate selection, collection, use and presentation of information

    This paper adopts an interactive approach to learning. To facilitate this, students are expected to complete the required reading before coming to class, as they will form the basis for class discussion.

    Timetable

    Not offered in 2026

    Location
    Dunedin
    Teaching method
    This paper is taught On Campus
    Learning management system
    Blackboard
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