Deadline Extended to June 17th - The Theorization Seminar Doctoral Seminar on Consumption, Markets, and Culture Theorization

August 21-27, 2022
Ankara, Turkey

This is a weeklong intensive seminar that emphasizes mid-range and contextualized theory in the
field of socio-cultural approaches to marketing and consumption. The seminar aims to stimulate
interest in and discussions of contemporary forms of historical, socio-cultural and political-
economic analyses of markets, consumption and marketing. The intended audience is doctoral

students and junior faculty members; however, anyone interested is welcome.

The seminar is part of European Doctoral School on Consumer Culture Theorizing (for details see
https://www.cctweb.org/doctoral-seminars). We have been running this seminar biennially in
Ankara. Initially held at Bilkent University (http://crts.bilkent.edu.tr/2011.html ) and then Middle East
Technical University, this year we will hold it outside the campus, at Midas Hotel, Ankara.

Objectives of the Seminar:
1. The goal of the seminar is to familiarize scholars with the socio-culturally inspired studies
of market, consumption and marketing or Consumer Culture Theoretics (CCT). The
readings and the speakers highlight an interdisciplinary perspective and seek to expose the
participants to sophisticated discussions of consumption and markets within marketing,
anthropology, sociology, communication, and cultural and gender studies. These
discussions center on mid-range and contextualized theory. The seminar emphasizes the
historical, socio-cultural, political-economic and ethical dimensions and challenges of
consumption and marketing in developed and developing nations in the contemporary
global world.

2. The seminar also aims to enable the participants to conceptualize their work in relationship
to the literature. Speakers and participants will discuss what constitutes a theoretical
contribution and how to theorize and formulate a contribution.

3. Another purpose of the seminar is to increase the participants’ awareness of the
expectations of international journals and review processes. There will be a faculty panel on
“how to publish” research papers.

Seminar Coordinators:
− Eminegül Karababa, Department of Business Administration, Middle East Technical
University, eminegul@metu.edu.tr
− Guliz Ger, Faculty of Business Administration, Bilkent University, ger@bilkent.edu.tr
− Olga Kravets, School of Business and Management, Royal Holloway, University of
London, Olga.Kravets@rhul.ac.uk

Faculty:
Russell W. Belk, York University
Dominique Desjeux, Université Paris Descartes
Güliz Ger, Bilkent University
Markus Giesler, York University
Eminegül Karababa, Middle East Technical University
Olga Kravets, University of Royal Holloway
Özlem Sandıkcı, University of Glasgow
Meltem Türe, University of Royal Holloway
Melanie Wallendorf, University of Arizona
Rick Wilk, Indiana University

Other course Information:
The seminar will be held in English and is 6 ECTS credits. Participants are free to choose to make
a presentation and get course credit or not. Those participants willing to present their research
projects will receive feedback, be evaluated, and receive course credit. The number of participants
is limited to 30. The tuition and fees for the seminar are 1100 Euros (exclusive of bank transfer
expenses). This amount includes participation in the seminar, accommodation, breakfasts,
lunches, and some dinners.

Seminar Prerequisites:
There are no particular prerequisites for the participants. Selection will be based on the letter of
interest, which is expected to address the student’s research interests and the fit of this seminar
with their doctoral studies. For those participants who do not want to receive course credit, the
letter of interest is expected to indicate their research interests and the reason why they want to
participate in the seminar. The letter of interest should be around 1000 words. Letters of interest
should be sent to cmctseminar@gmail.com as attachments to e-mail messages. The deadline for
applications is 17 June 2022 (Friday).

Seminar Program:
The program consists of lectures, panels, presentations, group work, and one-to-one meetings.
Participants will receive a reading list upon registering for the seminar. The participants taking the
seminar for ECTS credits are required and the others are strongly recommended to do the readings
before they come to the seminar. The participants who wish to receive ECTS credits will make a brief
presentation of their research projects. They will be evaluated based on their presentation,
participation, and the capacity shown in enriching their perspective. On the evening of 21 August 2022,
the seminar will start with a welcoming reception at Midas Hotel and ends 27 August 2022 at noon
time. The details of the program will be announced later.