BA5726 UNDERSTANDING CONSUMPTION IN CONTEXT

Course Code:3125726
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:8.0
Department:Business Administration
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Graduate
Course Coordinator:Prof.Dr. EMİNEGÜL KARABABA
Offered Semester:Fall and Spring Semesters.

Course Objectives

This module seeks to develop an interdisciplinary, theoretically informed understanding through an active piece of primary research into consumer behaviour, consumer identities, and consumer experience. Consumer behaviour can be broadly defined as the processes through which groups and/or individuals, acquire, consume, and dispose of goods, services, ideas, identities, and/or experiences. Consumption is defined as the process through which we materialize values and meanings and resolve paradoxes and contradictions in everyday life (Miller 1987). In this course, we aim to understand how consumers utilize consumption as a social process in their everyday lives. Various qualitative research methods are thought and conducted by students. Understanding consumer behaviour through consumer research is also of primary importance for those students who may wish to pursue careers in marketing, advertising, or market research.


Course Content

This module seeks to develop an interdiciplinary ,theoretically informed understanding through an active piece of primary research into consumer behaviour, consumer identities, and consumer experience.It aims to understand how consumers utulize consumption as a social process in their everyday lives.Various qualitative research methods are thought and conducted by students.


Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

Course Specific Skills:
1. recognise the importance of consumer research for the implementation of the marketing concept
2. demonstrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary foundations (psychology, sociology, and anthropology) that underpin consumer research
3. demonstrate knowledge and skills of planning, designing, implementing, analysing, and reporting consumer research
4. implement tools for original research, problem solving, and critical thinking

Discipline Specific Skills:
5. differentiate, apply, analyse, and reflect on theories, concepts, and interpretive research methods commonly used in exploring and understanding consumers
6. demonstrate broad knowledge of literature and concepts in consumer research and related fields
7. understand interactions of consumer behaviour and marketing

Personal and Key Skills:
8. participate in group interaction, including leadership and discussion opportunities
9. develop communication skills, including negotiation, argumentation, and presentation
10. develop critical reading and writing skills
11. experience motivation and support for undertaking original research that can be directly related to one’s ability to provide novel insights and problem solving in interviews, at work and in community 


Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1They attain advanced level of knowledge in the functional areas of business administration such as strategic management, marketing, accounting, finance, organization management, human resources, and operations management.
2They are capable of synthesizing the knowledge that they attained in the area of business administration with the knowledge base that they developed in their undergraduate specialisms.
3They are capable of identifying and analyzing legal, environmental and social factors, which influence the basic functional areas of the business administration.
4They understand and implement rational, systematic and scientific approaches effectively in problem solving and decision-making processes.
5They are capable of applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating the knowledge they developed in diverse fields efficiently.
6They are capable of transferring information by using efficient verbal and written communication techniques.
7They are capable of performing professional communication effectively also in English.
8They know methods of performing efficient teamwork.
9They are capable of understanding and synthesizing academic and scientific research in their areas and able to transform such research into useful knowledge.
10They have competence in all of the stages of scientific research and processes.
11They are knowledgeable in the areas of professional ethics and responsibility.
12They are capable of utilizing their knowledge and skills efficiently in global and multicultural contexts.
13They are knowledgeable in the issues of environment, social responsibility, social justice, quality and cultural values.
14They have a creative, innovative and critical perspective.

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution