Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences
100 McCaul St. 3rd floor, room 315
Tel: 416.977.6000 ext 372
SEMESTER & YEAR: D2 – FALL 2012
Course Title:
Material Culture and Consumer Society
Course Number: SOSC 3B02
Course Day & Time: Tuesday, 8:30-11:30am
Building & Room#: 544 (100 McCaul St.)
Credit Value: 0.5
Pre-requisites: 7.5 credits, including 1.0 credit of a second-year course from the Faculty of Liberal
Arts & Sciences (including 0.5 VISC credit).
Anti-requisite: Students who previously took ACAD3B22, HUMN 3B22 (2001) or VISC 3B22
(2002) may NOT take this course for further credit.
Instructor: Dr. Matthew Flisfeder
Email: mflisfeder@faculty.ocadu.ca
Office Location: 100 McCaul St., Room 325
Office hours: Thursday, 12-2pm
COURSE CALENDAR DESCRIPTION
In its broadest sense, material culture is the study of the objects that people make, use, purchase
and consume in order to interact with their physical world and to construct visible social
relationships. This course explores how people use objects to construct personal identities and
how broader societal forces produce cultural and economic value by promoting particular material
culture production and consumption. Using interdisciplinary methods in a case-study approach, we
examine a range of western and “non-western” objects including furniture, household products,
clothing, cars and architecture, and we explore topics such as collecting, branding, foodways and
food events and gift-giving. This course thus enables students to analyze what objects "say" about
us.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to:
 Develop specific techniques and methods to research and critically analyze the meaning
and significance of objects in everyday life.
 Develop a cross-cultural knowledge of human behaviour and diversity through the material
culture case studies they examine.
 Develop critical research and writing skills to contextualize, in an informed manner, how
societies and individuals give meaning to their actions, beliefs and values through the
objects they consume and use.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Victor Buchli, ed. The Material Culture Reader (Berg, 2002). (On reserve in the library)
Course Reading Package. SOSC 3B02. Fall 2012. Dr. Matthew Flisfeder *Listed as CRP in
Weekly Schedule (Available through OCAD’s Computer and Bookstore, 100 McCaul St., room
317C.)
COURSE ORGANIZATION
The major part of the course consists of weekly classes, which may consist of a combination of
lecture, discussion, and group work or exercises. Students are expected to read the required
readings, attend all classes, participate in all activities and contribute to discussion. Plan to
accommodate a minimum of 4-5 hours per week of homework for this course. Absences from class
must be supported with official documentation; three unsupported absences may jeopardize your
standing in the course.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION SCHEDULE
Assignment
In-Class Object Analysis #1
Essay Proposal
In-Class Object Analysis #2
Final Essay
Final Test
Participation
Due Date
October 9th
October 23rd
November 6th
November 20th
November 27th
Cumulative
Grade Weight
20%
10%
20%
20%
20%
10%
*Full descriptions of course assignments will be distributed in class and posted on the
course website.
PARTICIPATION
You are expected to attend classes regularly, and be prepared to make informed contributions to
class discussions, having completed assigned readings prior to the classes for which they are
assigned. Participation is also based upon timely and appropriate submission of assignments and
appreciable endeavours to improve academic and learning skills. This mark does not include
attendance, however, poor attendance will result in a lower participation mark (see
ATTENDANCE, below).
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:
All written assignments must begin with an introduction that explains the main argument or thesis
that is going to be developed in the rest of your essay. Arguments must then proceed logically and
build upon your main argument/thesis. Your essay will be marked based on your understanding of
the assignment, your ability to synthesize ideas from course readings/lectures, the clarity and
structure of your arguments, the originality of your ideas/arguments, and your ability to present
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your own voice in written form. Higher grades will be awarded to work that goes above and
beyond the requirements for the assignment.
All writing assignments must be double-spaced, in 12pnt Times New Roman or Cambria font,
with page numbers. Margins must be set at 1.25”. Please ensure that your name is on the first
page of each written assignment. Bibliographies or works cited should appear on a new page at
the end of your work. Use an MLA/APA style guide for all written assignments. Please use
internal citations; endnotes are preferred over footnotes, and should only be used to add detail that
is not directly part of your main argument, but which you feel adds depth to your topic. All written
assignments must have a title (be creative). Title pages are not necessary. All pages must be
stapled; assignments bound by a paper clip or folder will not be accepted.
You may also consult A Short Guide to Writing About Art, by Sylvan Barnet, for writing guidelines.
POLICY ON LATE ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be deducted one mark
per day (off of your final grade). Students should submit late assignments (hard copy) to my
Liberal Studies mailbox but may send a digital copy through ‘My Courses’ or by email beforehand
for date verification only. Hard copies must be submitted the day following the submission of a
digital copy. A hard copy of your assignment is required for grading. Late assignments will
not be accepted one week after the scheduled due date (unless there is a legitimate reason,
which will require official documentation).
Extensions: If you feel that you might need an extension on an assignment, please speak with
me at least one week prior to the assignment deadline. Granting of extensions is solely at the
discretion of your Professor, and only if, after speaking with me, I feel that your reason for needing
an extension is justified. Otherwise, extensions will be granted only under extenuating
circumstances, in which case official documentation will be required in order to justify the
submission of a late assignment. Extensions will not be granted after the deadline has already
passed.
CLASS CONDUCT AND EXPECTATIONS
1) You must ensure you are properly registered for the course. If you have any concerns about
your registration status, you may confirm on-line, confirm with the Faculty of Liberal Arts &
Sciences Office, or contact the Registrar. Please first check your registration and read the
codes carefully (the codes are clearly explained in the Course Calendar which is available online at www.ocad.ca).
2) You are expected to conduct yourself in a manner respectful of your instructor and your fellow
students. This includes, at a minimum:
 Arriving on time
 Turning off your cell phone upon arrival
 If late, entering the classroom with the least disruption
 Not interrupting or speaking when someone else has the floor
 Using your laptop appropriately (i.e. not for email)
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ABSENCES AND MAKE UP TEST
Only under very special circumstances may students hand in late assignments or be absent from
classes or tests/exams. If a student is sick, it is incumbent upon the student to notify the Instructor
(and the Faculty Office, in the case of missed tests, mid-term exams or final exams) with proper
documentation as soon as possible. All exams carry an administrative charge of $70. Students
with special needs must contact the office for Students with Disabilities, ext. 339 at least two weeks
prior to the test or assignment, if free and confidential resources are to be provided.
ABSENCE FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES
A student who foresees a conflict between a religious obligation and any scheduled class
assignments, including the final examination, must notify his/her instructor in writing and in the
case of final examinations must make a written request to the appropriate Faculty Office within
three weeks of the first class. Late requests for an exam deferral are subject to a fee of $70.
PLAGIARISM AND REFERENCING YOUR RESEARCH SOURCES
Plagiarism is the act of taking someone else's ideas, opinions, writings, etc. and representing them
as one's own. You plagiarize whenever you borrow another scholar's ideas or quote directly from a
work without giving credit through proper citation or acknowledgement. Plagiarism is a serious
offense at OCADU (please see OCADU's Policy in the OCADU Academic Calendar). Any
assignment in which the ideas of another author are intentionally represented without
acknowledgement and/or presented as the student's own work will receive a grade of zero. Please
see http://www.ocad.ca/students/academic_integrity.htm#plagiarism for more information.
The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the Writing and Learning Centre at OCADU have
developed a set of ‘OCADU Writing Style Guidelines’ for students to consult with regard to proper
research citation. Copies of the Writing Style Guidelines are available at the Writing and Learning
Centre and online. You can also consult the MLA, APA, or Chicago style guides online through the
library website. Please see http://www.ocad.ca/library/how_do_i/find_style_guides.htm for more
information.
ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Each student has final responsibility for her or his conduct. Students are expected to be aware of
and abide by the regulations as they have been established in OCADU’s academic and nonacademic policies, which can be found on the OCADU website at http://www.ocad.ca/students.htm
under “Student Policies”. These policies outline the responsibility of students to “conduct
themselves appropriately and reflect the highest standards of integrity in non-academic as well as
academic behaviour”. All allegations of misconduct will be reported and investigated as per the
current policies.
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EMAIL
I will only respond to email on regular weekdays, before 5pm. You must use your OCAD email
account when sending emails. I will only respond to emails sent from an OCAD email account.
Please review the course outline and My Courses before asking questions by email. I will not
respond to email questions if the answers can easily be found in course materials. Please
keep emails short. A long email indicates that it might be a better idea to make an appointment to
see me during my office hours. I will not respond to mark/grade inquiries by email.
WEEKLY READINGS & CLASS SCHEDULE
Sept. 11th: What is Material Culture, Part I
Screening:
Clip from Examined Life (Dir. Astra Taylor, 2008) – Slavoj Žižek
Sept. 18th: What is Material Culture, Part II
Readings:
Victor Buchli, “Introduction.” In The Material Culture Reader (22 Pages)
Christopher Tilley, “Objectification.” In CRP (14 Pages)
Sept. 25th: Historical Materialism and Commodity Fetishism
Readings:
Bill Maurer, “In the Matter of Marxism.” In CRP (16 Pages)
Georg Lukács, “The Phenomenon of Reification.” In CRP (7 Pages)
Geoffrey Pilling, “Some Aspects of Marx’s Notion of Commodity Fetishism.” Available at
http://www.marxists.org/archive/pilling/works/capital/ch05.htm
Screening: No Logo (Dir. Sut Jhally, 2003)
Oct. 2nd: Objects in History/The History of Objects
Readings:
Giorgio Riello, “Things That Shape History: Material Culture and Historical Narratives.” In CRP (23
Pages)
Sara Pennel, “Mundane Materiality,or, Should Small Things Be Forgotten?” In CRP (19 Pages)
Screening:
Wild Wheels (Dir. Harold Blank, 1992)
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Oct. 9th: The Phenomenology of Objects
*In-Class Object Analysis #1 at the Beginning of Class
Readings:
Marcel Mauss, “Gifts and the Obligation to Return Gifts.” In CRP (11 Pages)
Roland Barthes, “Toys.” In CRP (2 Pages)
Guy Julier, “Inside and Outside the iPod.” In CRP (3 Pages)
Esther Leslie, “Snow Shaker.” In CRP (3 Pages)
Oct. 16th: Structuralist and Post-Structuralist Approaches
Readings:
Robert Layton, “Structuralism and Semiotics.” In CRP (14 Pages)
Bjørnar Olsen, “Scenes From a Troubled Engagement: Post-Structuralism and Material Culture
Studies.” In CRP (19 Pages)
Christopher Tilley, “Metaphor, Materiality and Interpretation.” In The Material Culture Reader (4
Pages)
Christopher Tilley, “The Metaphorical Transformations of Wala Canoes.” In The Material Culture
Reader (29 Pages)
Oct. 23rd: Colonialism, Post-Colonialism, and Cultural Memory
*Essay Proposals Due at the Beginning of Class
Readings:
Michael Rowlands, “Heritage and Cultural Property.” In The Material Culture Reader (10 Pages)
Michael Rowlands, “The Power of Origins: Questions of Cultural Rights.” In The Material Culture
Reader (19 Pages)
Screening:
This Land is Our Land (Dir. Jeremy Earp and Sut Jhally, 2010)
Oct. 30th: Collecting and Throwing Away
Readings:
Russell Belk, “Collectors and Collecting.” In CRP (12 Pages)
Walter Benjamin, “Unpacking My Library: A Talk About Book Collecting” In CRP (6 Pages)
Julian Stallabrass, “Trash.” In CRP (19 Pages)
Screening:
Hunters and Gatherers (Dir. Darrell Varga, 1994)
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Nov. 6th: Architecture, Homes, and Furnishings
*In-Class Object Analysis #2 at the Beginning of Class
Readings:
Victor Buchli, “Architecture and Modernism.” In CRP (13 Pages)
Victor Buchli, “Krushchev, Modernism and the Fight Against Petit-Bourgeois Consciousness in the
Soviet Home.” In The Material Culture Reader (22 Pages)
Nov. 13th: Museums, Visual Culture, and Visual Display
Readings:
Anthony Alan Shelton, “Museums and Museum Displays.” In CRP (20 Pages)
Christopher Pinney, “Photographic Portraiture in Central India in the 1980s and 1990s.” In The
Material Culture Reader (17 Pages)
Nov. 20th: Consumption and Consumer Society
*Final Essays Due at the Beginning of Class
Readings:
Daniel Miller, “Coca-Cola: A Black Sweet Drink from Trinidad.” In The Material Culture Reader (19
Pages)
Screening:
Advertising and the End of the World (Dir. Sut Jhally, 1997)
Nov. 27th: Final Test
UNIVERSITY RESOURCES:
WRITING AND LEARNING CENTRE:
Resources specific to this course, for students requiring assistance with the material and with
writing or reading comprehension, and for those for whom English is a second language, are
provided through the Writing and Learning Centre, room 1501, 113 McCaul, 5th floor (ext. 229);
e-mail: wlc@ocad.ca One-on-one tutoring is available and confidential. The Writing and Learning
Centre (WLC) provides free services for all students including writing, critical thinking, critical
reading, and study skills, through one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, writing and academic skills
workshops, resource materials, and ESL assistance.
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Formal and informal student-centred supports, such as counselling, academic accommodations,
and specialized services are available year-round to students registered with the Centre for
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Students with Disabilities. Students who think they may have learning or physical disabilities
should contact Services for Students with Disabilities (ext. 339), 51 McCaul St. 2nd level, as
soon as possible. Students must be registered with the CSD to receive accommodations and
related support. It is important to register early in the semester to ensure the accommodations can
be scheduled by the start of the semester.
DOROTHY HOOVER LIBRARY
OCADU Library, 113 McCaul, 2nd Floor , Room 1215
General Reference Desk: ex. 334
Art and Design Reference, Robert Fabbro: ex. 343
Art and Liberal Arts & Sciences Reference, Daniel Payne: ex. 217
STUDENT SERVICE WEBSITE URLS
Library and online databases - http://www.ocad.ca/library.htm
Centre for Students with Disabilities - http://www.ocad.ca/students/disability_services.htm
Health and Wellness Centre - http://www.ocad.ca/students/health_wellness.htm
Writing and Learning Centre - http://www.ocad.ca/students/wlc.htm
Academic Integrity - http://www.ocad.ca/students/academic_integrity.htm
Academic Advising - http://www.ocad.ca/students/academic_advising.htm
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