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History of Dress: Antiquity to Nineteenth Century


Course Description

Dress and textiles as reflections of social, cultural, political, and economic environments as well as art, customs, religion, and technological developments from the beginning of recorded history to the nineteenth century, through those areas of the world having major influence on the development of Western dress.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Research Paper; Teaching Presentation; Reading Reports and Discussion; Historic and Costume Collection Assignments


Athena Title

HIS DRESS AN 19TH


Prerequisite

Permission of department


Semester Course Offered

Offered spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

During the semester, students participating in this class will be able to: 1. Participate in an active learning community. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and to encourage one another as well as the instructor to constantly improve the learning environment in the classroom. 2. Develop critical thinking skills that would allow them to interpret and analyze relevant information related to the history of dress and other academic aspects. 3. Communicate and express their opinions, ideas, and concepts in an organized manner, thus making important contributions to the learning process of the class. 4. Comprehend the historic development of dress and textiles in the context of a specific time period and geographical locations. 5. Identify the influence of cultural values, ethnic background, class, gender influences, as well as political, social, and economic events in the development of dress and textiles. 6. Identify the influence of customs, art, religion, economy, politics, and technological advancements in the historic development of dress and textiles. 7. Distinguish dress and appearance of specific periods by identifying unique characteristics and details. 8. Develop an appreciation for historic dress and textiles as an inspiration for contemporary designs and trends. 9. Identify recurring features in the early history of dress. For graduate level: Develop original research on historic dress demonstrating appropriate research and writing skills. Analyze, evaluate, and cite published research in the historic dress field and evaluate relevant theoretical frameworks. Understand basic techniques for historic clothing conservation, management and display.


Topical Outline

Functions of clothing Earlier evidence of clothing Mesopotamia Egypt Minoan Crete Greece Etruria Rome Byzantine Empire Early Islam and other European groups (Ottoman Turks, Celts, Vikings, Goths, and Huns) Native-American Dress and Textiles History of Tattoo work History of Body piercing Pre-Columbian Civilizations in America (Mayas/Aztecs/Incas) The Early Middle Ages The Late Middle Ages Italian Renaissance Northern Renaissance Introduction to Baroque and Rococo The Seventeenth Century The Eighteenth Century The French Revolution and Directoire Period


Syllabus