Skip to main content
 

BUSI2171: Brand Strategies, Identity, Culture and Society

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Tied
Level 2
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Management and Marketing

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • Enable students to understand the key principles of brand management from a socio-cultural, psychological and anthropological perspectives.
  • Evaluate the role of reflective-brand image and how it is formed through symbolic cultural interpretation and appropriation in the development of identity and meaning.
  • Provide an evaluative consideration of brands in the wider social environment, including domestic or international market & social forces and consumption trends.

Content

  • The socio-cultural meaning of brands
  • A semiotic act of naming a product from products to brands
  • Postmodernism, semiotics and the symbolic meaning of brands
  • Brands as symbolic resources for self and social identities
  • The principles of cultural branding
  • Brands cultural meaning in the global environment
  • Branding and corporate social responsibility

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of branding from socio-cultural, psychological and anthropological perspectives.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the social psychology of brands, the semiotic and cultural interpretation of meaning, and its impact on consumer identity.
  • Apply knowledge of the branding concept and brand management in the context of the development of social aware global brands.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Have developed expertise in understanding key branding concepts and current issues in brand management from socio-cultural, psychological and anthropological perspectives.
  • Be able to evaluate branding approaches in a dynamic, global, diverse and fragmented global environment.
  • Be able to explore the complex task of successful branding with regards to the development of its cultural meaning and the transformation of experience.
  • Be able to critically evaluate the importance of strong brands to stakeholders.

Key Skills:

  • Information skills and the synthesis of data
  • Creativity and problem-solving (e.g. by thinking laterally and innovatively, to develop original approaches)
  • Critical thinking
  • Active and reflective learning
  • Time management/self-discipline
  • Presenting using technology
  • Video production skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The teaching and learning strategy is designed to encourage a critique of the social forces surrounding approaches to interpretation of building brand image.
  • The teaching and learning methods will follow a flipped approach to learning utilising pre-recorded video content and academic journals to provide the grounding for the weekly discussion points.
  • Students will be expected to prepare for sessions through identified readings and videos.
  • This module is assessed through the development of a critical reflection of academic concepts in practice video.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Workshops10Weekly2 hours20Yes
Online Video ContentWeekly10 
Preparation, fieldwork and Reading170 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: AssignmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Individual Video Presentation20 minutes100Individual written assignment

Formative Assessment

Article critique - 1000 words.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.