Cultural Dress (Gen. Ed. Goals 13, 16)
34.253
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An investigation of the dress of selected cultures. Textiles, garment shapes, and design adaptations are examined in relation to technology, geographic environment, social structure, political systems and economic conditions.
PROFESSOR: Dr. Judy Zaccagnini Flynn
AUDIENCE: History, art, art history, communication arts, psychology, sociology, geography, politics, apparel design, merchandising, and other students who are interested in non-western studies.
PROFESSOR: Dr. Judy Flynn TELEPHONE: 508-626-4709
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REQUIRED READINGS
1. Rand McNally. (N.D. Classroom Atlas. Skokie, Ill: Rand McNally.
2. Roach-Higgins M., J. B. Eicher and K. Johnson., editors (1995) Dress and Identity. New York: Fairchild Publications.
3. Readings placed on reserve: additional readings will be added asneeded.
4. Handouts given in class, reading packets
FIELD TRIPS: Field trips are considered an integral part of the course. Transportation will be the responsibility of the student. The number each semester depends on exhibits available in the area.
NON-WESTERN CULTURES TO BE INCLUDED
•The following regions/countries for the study of clothing/costume/appearance will be analyzed, including
Asia, including: India, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Tibet, Japan,
Korea, country of student's choice approved by professor
Pacific Islands: Bali, Java, Hawaii (native Hawaiian)
Mid East: Turkey, Iran, Iraq, or country of student's choice approved by
professor
Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, or country or subgroup of student's choice
approved by professor
Native North American, i.e. Inuit, Navajo, Eskimo
or student's choice approved by professor
North and South American, including Aztecs, Mayans,
Amazon, San Blas Island student's choice approved
by professor
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
For each major heading theory, practice and application will be applied to a non-western culture
1. TERMINOLOGY
Terminology used in studying non-western cultures and appearance will relate to concepts and theory of dress. Emphasis will be on technology, geographic environment, social structure, political systems, and economic conditions in relation to the culture's dress. In class, examples of dress will be viewed to practice terminology.
Application of the terminology:
See Assignment paper #1
2. AESTHETICS AND CONCEPT OF IDEAL BEAUTY IN DIFFERENT CULTURES
Theory of aesthetics and ideal beauty in different cultures will be demonstrated through slides and lecture. Students will adapt non-western dress to our society for design inspiration.
Application of concept of ideal beauty in different cultures:
See writing assignment #2
Aesthetics and concept of ideal beauty in non-western cultures
3. INTERDISCIPLINARY ASPECTS OF CULTURAL DRESS
Appearance (the body and dress) will be investigated in an Interdisciplinary way. Potential panel speakers might include a geographer, artist, anthropologist, historian, or business person to a culture who discusses the norms and values of the culture as reflected in dress. Students will have the opportunity to discuss experiences with guest speakers.
Application to interdisciplinary aspects of cultural dress
See writing assignment #3
4. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
Several theoretical frameworks for studying cultural dress will be discussed in class including Hamilton, Roach-Higgins, and Eicher.
See Group final project: Oral presentation
 Korean Formal Dress |
 Indigo House - South Carolina |
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