Module Code - Title:
MK6132
-
Marketing in Popular Culture
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The module examines how consumption symbolism and marketing imagery in works of popular culture can shape their meanings in ways that further the development of plot, character, and other thematic content while also communicating certain truths about the nature and extent of consumer culture and marketing.
Syllabus:
Specifically the module will examine several core ideas including: the study of signs; signs in consumer aesthetics; the semiotics of popular culture; the ideology of consumption; mythology; interpreting consumption symbolism and marketing imagery.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
1. Appreciate the value of cultural products as an alternative means of generating knowledge about issues related to marketing, consumption and society.
2. Illustrate an understanding of marketing as it is generated outside the Academy.
3. Determine the nature of semiotics and explain its utility to the study of marketing and popular culture phenomena.
4. Critically appraise works of popular culture in respect of their contribution to the understanding of marketing.
5. Demonstrate key skills in respect of critical evaluation, presentation, and communication.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
1. Synthesise knowledge from a variety of sources and learning situations.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
Not applicable
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Critical appraisal of works of popular culture through group discussion and the production of critical annotations.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Seabrook, J. (2001)
Nobrow: The Culture of Marketing, The Marketing of Culture
, Vintage
Other Relevant Texts:
Klein, N. (2001)
No Logo
, Flamingo
Holbrook, M. and Hirschman, E. (1993)
The Semiotics of Consumption
, Mouton de Gruyter
Heath, J. and Potter, A. (2005)
The Rebel Sell
, Capstone
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
c.nibheachain@ul.ie