AMST 2885

AMST 2885

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2020-2021.

This course will examine consumerism in the United States, first focusing on the rise of advertising, mass-market goods, shop windows, and department stores at the turn of the 20th century. We will examine the built environment, the experience of shopping, and the consequent disease of "kleptomania", looking at inequality and activism as a potential political outlet for consumerism. We will also study consumerism as a system of cultural meaning. How do our objects shape and symbolize our identities? What does our constellation of material goods say about our values, our beliefs, and our lives? What stands outside consumer culture? What does it mean to commodify love or bottle nature? Can art or beauty be beyond value?

When Offered Spring.

Distribution Category (CA-AS, ALC-AS)

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: HIST 2885

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 19197 AMST 2885   LEC 001

    • TR Online Meeting
    • Feb 8 - May 14, 2021
    • Bitar, A

  • Instruction Mode: Online
    Students interested in joining the waitlist should email mm894@cornell.edu.

  • 19198 AMST 2885   DIS 201

    • F Online Meeting
    • Feb 8 - May 14, 2021
    • Bitar, A

  • Instruction Mode: Online

  • 19199 AMST 2885   DIS 202

    • M Online Meeting
    • Feb 8 - May 14, 2021
    • Bitar, A

  • Instruction Mode: Online