BRESCIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

SOCIOLOGY  2172a  SECTION 530

ADVERTISING AND SOCIETY

                                                                        FALL 2011    

 

 

Instructor:           Professor Patricia Pakvis

Office:                  Rm. 301A, St. James Bldg.

Phone:                 Office  519-432-8353 x28390

E-mail:                 pakvis@uwo.ca

Web Page:            http://publish.uwo.ca/~pakvis/

Dates:                  October - December, 2011

Times:                  Monday 10:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m.       

Location:             BR303       

Office Hours:      by appointment

 

Antirequisite:       The former Sociology 170F/G

 

Drop Date:          October 15, 2011

 

 

IMPORTANT MESSAGES:  Here is where you will find any important messages related to the course over the semester. Be sure to check this space regularly!

 

***FINAL EXAM INFORMATION***

 

                    

Overview:

This course will explore research and theory on the social role of advertising in contemporary society.  The main focus of the course will be on the social impact of advertising on institutions and individuals in society. Topics will include the analysis of advertising content in print, broadcast, and digital media, the examination of various mechanisms of persuasion, and the discussion of controversies over advertising effects on human behavior and socialization. The structure of the class will be a formal two hour lecture every week during which students will have the opportunity to engage in informal discussions on the sociological impact of advertising related to current lecture topics. 

 

 

Evaluation:

Evaluation in the course is based on two midterms and a final examination as stated on the outline given by Professor Cassidy at the beginning of the semester. Exams will be made up of multiple choice and/or short answer questions.

 

Midterm 1            Oct. 3          20%

Midterm 2            Nov. 14       40%

Final Exam           Dec. 21       40%

 

 

Required Readings:

There is no formal textbook to be purchased for this course. The readings for the course will be made up of a selection of articles in a course reading package (P-0027) prepared by Professor Gale Cassidy.  Please follow the reading schedule as instructed by Prof. Cassidy.

 

 

Dates, Topics and Lecture Outlines:

 

Oct. 17      How Advertising Appeals Video Clip from "Advertising" 1998

 

Oct. 24      Advertising and Culture

                   New Reading     Richard Taflinger "The Power of Words"

 

Oct. 31      Advertising and Culture (cont.):  Consumerism

 

Nov. 7        Advertising and the Other

                   New Readings   Ethnic and Visible Minorities in Entertainment Media

                                                Common Portrayals of Aboriginal People

 

Nov. 14      Midterm 2

 

Nov. 21      Advertising and Gender

 

Nov. 28      Advertising and Children

 

Dec. 5        Social and Political Advertising