HIS2354 – The History of Consumption
Course description
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 research field taking a broad transnational and global perspective. What we consume, circuits of consumption, and relations between the producers and the consumers are in the present day under scrutiny. The course shows that those concerns over consumption are far from new. Consumerism and consumer militantism date at least back to the nineteenth century. The module combines political, economic and social history to offer cases stretching over the last two centuries. North-South solidarity, renewed interest in supply chains, and consumer advocacy are among the fields of research examined in this course. Throughout the seminars there will be made use of different kinds of primary material, ranging from written sources to visual materials such as posters and advertising materials.
Learning outcome
After you have completed this course you are expected to be able to:
- Understand and discuss the dynamics of consumption societies, situated in the wider context of modern and contemporary history and North-South dynamics
- Explore the ways consumption has become an topic of interest to historians and historical research
- Critically read and discuss case studies on relevant aspects of consumer cultures
- Develop your skills in reading critically, thinking independently, and writing clearly, especially through the writing of your own essay on a topic related to the course
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 – 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:
- an abstract (1.5 to 2 pages) on a topic of the students choosing but within the framework of the course.
- Obligatory participation in seminar discussions in 9 out of 12 seminars.
More information om the compulsory assignments will be given in class and in Canvas.
Examination
The course is assessed by a term paper. Your paper must not exceed 4500 words, notes included. Attachments and/or bibliography are not included in the word count.
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
- How to use AI as a student
- 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.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem)
Oct. 15, 2026 8:08:32 AM