THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO
Department of Sociology
Sociology 2173b-650
Instructor: Prof. Gaile McGregor
Contact information:
Home office 433-5920
gmcgrego@uwo.ca
Problems of Mass Society
Course Description
This course provides a general coverage of issues related to the notion and reality of “mass
society.” The origin and uses of this term are examined, along with the history of our own
version of mass society, Western Capitalism. Topics covered will include the growth of
consumer culture, the impact and ideological functions of mass communications, the
political economy of globalization, and the flashpoints of everyday life in contemporary
North America. A key question to be considered is whether Capitalism has moved beyond
consumption into a new phase characterized by increased social and economic inequity,
identity loss, and the spread of a collective malaise that Durkheim called anomie.
Note: As you may infer from the preceding, the focus of this course is on the problems
associated with mass society, not the fun and material benefits provided by this type of
society. There will be considerable emphasis on the economic roots of social dysfunction,
and the general approach will be analytic and critical. Those who are not prepared to deal
with serious and sometimes disturbing subject matter should not take this course.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing this course, students should
• know the history and characteristics of mass culture
• comprehend the role mass culture has played in shaping capitalist society
• understand the connections between mass culture and mass communications
• be familiar with the personal, social, and environmental harms attributable to overconsumption
• recognize the impact of neoliberal ideology arround the world and in our everyday
lives
• assess and perhaps even apply some of the solutions that have been proposed to
counter these prevailing trends
Evaluation
Grades will be based on the following:
Mid-term quiz (at the end of week 5)
Assignment (report due in week 10)
Participation (based on Discussions postings)
Final Exam (end of term, as scheduled by Registrar’s office)
20%
30%
20%
30%
Departmental Marking Policy
You should be aware that the Department of Sociology has adopted grade distribution
guidelines that all instructors are required to follow. For Sociology courses at the 2100 and
2200 level,
•
“A”s are not to exceed “B”s and
•
Class averages must be in the range of 66-70%
Policy Regarding Missed Exams and Late Assignments
Make-up exams will be granted with approved documentation only. If you have a conflict
with one of the exam dates, it is your responsibility to discuss it with the Academic
Counseling office at least one week before the regularly scheduled exam and provide
documentation of the conflict. If approved, you will be allowed to schedule a make-up
exam.
If you miss an exam or the deadline for an assignment due to illness or for any other
unforeseen reason, you must notify your Academic Counselor of your circumstances within
48 hours. If he or she agrees that your reason for missing the exam or deadline is legitimate and is supported by medical or other documentation, you will be given permission for
a makeup exam or an extension of your deadline.
Support Services
Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western
http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain
help.
Policy Regarding On-Line Posting
In making their Discussion postings, students are encouraged to express their opinions
freely. However, it is expected that the tone of the conversation will be kept adult and civil.
Any postings containing offensive language, or which other students may find insulting or
disturbing, will be deleted, and the author will be given a warning. A student who persists in
posting inappropriate comments may be barred from the site.
Plagiarism
“Plagiarism: Students must write their essays and assignments in their own words.
Whenever students take an idea, or a passage from another author, they must
acknowledge their debt both by using quotation marks where appropriate and by proper
referencing such as footnotes or citations. Plagiarism is a major academic offence.”
Discussion postings and assignments must also be original – that is, they cannot be
adapted or recycled from work carried out for another course. Please refer to Scholastic
Discipline under the Senate Policy on Academic Rights and Responsibilities at
http://www.uwo.ca.univsec/handbook/.
Course Organization
See “Master Contents List” and “Course Components” in Course Overview folder
Reading
J. DeGraaf, D. Wann, & T. Nayor, Affluenza: The all-consuming epidemic, 2nd edition (San
Francisco: Berett-Koehler, 2001), available in bookstore, plus assorted additional readings
available on-line. For details, see indexes in “Readings & Reference Materials” sections in
the Learning Modules.
Lecture Schedule (see Master Contents List in Course Overview folder for details)
The Revolution that Wasn’t
WEEK 1
1.1 Background I: History of Mass Society
1.2 Background II: Characteristics of Mass Society
WEEK 2
2.1 Consumption I: Affluenza
2.2 Consumption II: Impacts
Mixed Messages
WEEK 3
3.1 Advertising I: Strategies of Persuasion
3.2 Advertising II: The Brand Game
WEEK 4
4.1 Mass Media I: The “Free” Press
4.2 Mass Media II: CMC (Computer Mediated Communication)
WEEK 5
5.1 Pop Culture I: From Frankfurt to Birmingham
5.2 Pop Culture II: Possibilities for Resistance
The Third Wave
WEEK 6
6.1 Economic Relations I: Back to the Future
6.2 Economic Relations II: Globalization as a Last Straw
WEEK 7
7.1 Economic Relations III: The Changing Work World
7.2 Economic Relations IV: Poverty & Economic Inequality
Flashpoints
WEEK 8
8.1 The New Anomie
8.2 Examining the Evidence
WEEK 9
9.1 Everyday Lives I: Social Selves
9.2 Everyday Lives II: Marriage & Families
WEEK 10
10.1 Everyday Lives III: Parents & Children
10.2 Everyday Lives IV: Youth
Counterpoints
WEEK 11
11.1 Remedies I: Changing Attitudes
11.2 Remedies II: Grassroots Activism
WEEK 12
12.1 Remedies III: Playing Politics
12.2 Remedies IV: Opting Out