Responsible Consumption: Theory and Practice equips students with the knowledge and skills to make consumption choices that promote personal well-being, social equity, and environmental sustainability. By integrating concepts from various social science disciplines, including consumer studies, economics, marketing, philosophy, psychology, and sociology with experiential learning, students can examine why they buy, how markets shape their desires, and the far-reaching impacts of their consumption behaviours. Students critically assess the life cycle of their possessions, from acquisition and use to storage and disposal, while exploring the consequences of mindless and wasteful consumption.

Guided by principles of conscious consumerism, mindful consumption, simple living, and sustainable habit formation, the course emphasises how small but sustained behavioural changes can contribute to systemic well-being. Through habit experiments and lifestyle redesigns, students develop durable routines such as mindful buying, repair-before-replace, sharing, product redistribution, and digital minimalism, while guarding against rebound effects and resisting marketing manipulation.

Learning methods include seminars, case studies, guest lectures, student presentations, experiential learning, and reflective writing. By the end of the semester, students will be able to diagnose consumption-related challenges, evaluate trade-offs, identify greenwashing, and design actionable, high-impact interventions at personal, societal, and environmental levels. Students will also co-create practical strategies to make responsible consumption easier, more equitable, and more appealing.