Sociology of Advertising

Catalog description

This course examines advertising as a social and organizational institution that shapes culture, identity, and economic life. Rather than focusing on marketing techniques or campaign execution, the course emphasizes sociological perspectives on persuasion, branding, and consumer culture. Topics include advertising as meaning-making, the relationship between organizations and audiences, symbolic power, inequality and representation, and ethical controversies in contemporary media environments. Students analyze advertisements, brands, and industries using sociological theory and empirical research, with attention to how advertising reflects and reinforces social values while advancing organizational goals. The course provides students with critical tools for understanding advertising’s role in modern organizations and society.