UGA Bulletin Logo

Dress, Society, and Culture


Course Description

Interdisciplinary course taught from cultural studies and anthropological perspective that offers a global framework for analyzing the significance, meaning, and use of dress. Builds on the latest research results in Dress Studies and uses race, class, and gender as critical lenses to study dress practices world wide.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are required to write a 12-15 page research paper, the topic of which has to be discussed with the instructor. Graduate students also do a 15-20 minute presentation on their research findings which they present in class at the end of the semester. During the semester graduate students will prepare at least one additional research presentation on the topic that is assigned to them by the instructor and present it in a mini-lecture format to the undergraduate class. Graduate students are expected to lead small group discussions and assist the instructor with course- related tasks, if asked.


Athena Title

Dress, Society, and Culture


Undergraduate Prerequisite

(PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1030H or SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H) and (TXMI 3210 or TXMI 3210E)


Graduate Prerequisite

[(PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1030H or SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H) and (TXMI 3210 or TXMI 3210E)] or permission of department


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

Apply the definition of dress as body modifications and body supplements within a specific cultural context. Understand that meanings of dress vary from society to society. Develop an understanding of the global significance of dress and contemplate the meanings attached to national and world dress. Analyze dress in real-life situations in relationship to specific physical and social environments as well as consumer behavior. Interpret scholarly publications and popular commentary about dress. Appreciate the surface diversity of people's appearance by understanding the common purposes dress serves (i.e., to protect, to communicate, or to personally satisfy). Develop an understanding of dress as an art form (e.g., visual, performing, or literary). Improve students' analytical and writing skills by having them write a research paper of 6-8 pages.


Topical Outline

1. Introduction 2. Classification system of dress - how to write a research proposal 3. Dress, culture and society 4. Technology and the development of dress 5. Records of the types of dress 6. Critical evaluation sources of dress 7. Dress as non-verbal communication 8. Physical appearance and dress 9. Body processes and dress Annotated Bibliography - example handed out 10. Scales of culture, Small scale cultures and dress 11. Large scale cultures and dress 12. Global scale cultures and dress 13. Cultural identities and dress 14. Cultural scales and identities 15. Family, religion, leisure activities and dress 16. Socialization, individual and social contexts 17. The art of creating dress - Mechanics of research paper: how to write introduction, discussion, conclusion. That is an academic file 18. Ideals of beauty 19. Fashion, conformity and individuality 20. Dress and the arts 21. The future of dress


Syllabus