Fall 2012, College of Human Ecology, Department of Interior Design and Merchandising
MRCH 2239: Fashion and Culture
TEXTBOOK
Damhorst, M. L., Miller, K., & Michelman, S. (2005). The meanings of dress. NY: Fairchild Books. (Optional)
OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS
Other readings are available online
COURSE DESCRIPTION (From ECU Course Catalog)
Cultural, social, psychological, and economic aspects of apparel which affect selection and use of apparel by consumer.
O BJECTIVES Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Evaluate the effects of clothing and adornment on human behavior, including impression formation, social comparison, and categorization. 2. Generate examples through which appearance communicates both across individuals and across cultures characteristics such as personality, role, status, values, and attitudes. 3. Compare and contrast universals of culture using cross-cultural examples. 4. Explore the viability of race, gender, and attractiveness as social constructions evidenced through dress and appearance. 5. Use the following methods of social science research to study the effects of dress on communication and behavior: non reactive research (e.g., content analysis), experimentation (e.g., field experiment), and fieldwork (observation, interview). 6. Evaluate the contributions of clothing and appearance to identity development and presentation of the self to others. 7. Examine the influence of cultural identity on appearance management practices. 8. Discuss acculturation as reflected in the adoption of clothing items and grooming rituals. 9. Contrast and compare the cultural influences of technical, aesthetic, ritualistic, and moral patterns on clothing across cultures. 10. Analyze the use of apparel in relation to the physical, psychological, and social needs of the individual at various stages of life. 11. Analyze the clothing requirements of consumer cultures with specific needs and determine feasible solutions. 12. Examine practices and meaning of body adornment cross-culturally and cross-temporally (tattooing, piercing, cosmetics, body alterations).
GRADING. Final grades in the course are based on the total number of points accumulated throughout the semester. There will be a final exam, two midterms, writing assignments, and two group projects. In-class activities and quizzes will all count toward the participation grade.
Letter grade Quality points Letter grade Quality points
A 4.0 / 93-100% C 2.0 / 73-76.99% A- 3.7 / 90-92.99% C- 1.7 / 70-72.99% B+ 3.3 / 87-89.99% D+ 1.3 / 67-69.99% B 3.0 / 83-86.99% D 1.0 / 63-66.99% B- 2.7 / 80-82.99% D- 0.7 / 60-62.99% C+ 2.3 / 77-79.99% F 0 / Below 60%
1 Evaluation Point % of Total Participation 120 pts 17.91% Writing assignments 100 pts 14.93% Project 1 50 pts 7.46% Project 2 100 pts 14.93% 3 Exams 100 pts each 14.93% each Total 670 pts 100 %
COURSE SCHEDULE
Dates and topics subject to change
Unit TOPIC 1 Introduction The classification system of dress 2 How the world dresses; Dress, culture, and society Levels of cultural development 3 Normative Patterns Mentifacts 4 Cultural categories Religious identity Ethnic identity Gender identity Attractiveness; Commodification of beauty Professional skills development 5 Dress and self concept Body Image Social Stigma 6 Research method (Field experiment; Content analysis) Research method (Field work) 7 Symbolic Interaction Identity theory Role theory 8 Impression formation Movie analysis 9 Dress codes Social cognition 10 Dress and nonverbal behavior Dress & law
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