Meeting Day and Time M, W, 2:30-3:45

Course Description and Content

In-depth study and critical analysis of classic and modern
fashion theories with emphasis placed on post-modern fashion
theory development.

Objectives:  The course is designed to equip the student with a
thorough understanding of the classic and modern fashion
theories in order to provide a base to intelligently draw from
those theories and apply them to the design, merchandising,
manufacture and consumption of fashion-oriented products.
Students are expected to make significant progress toward new
theoretical developments of fashion theory.  Specifically, the
student will:
1.  Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the classic and
modern theories of fashion; 2.  Critically analyze the theories of
fashion; 3.  Demonstrate a critical understanding of the different
paradigms from which fashion theories come; 4.  Demonstrate
techniques in analysis and criticism of the existing theories with
significant progress made toward meaningful advancements of
theory. 5.  Develop a model which will illustrate an original
contribution to fashion theory.

Required Texts and Readings

A required packet of readings has been prepared and is available
at T.I.S. Bookstore.

Recommended books include:

Veblen, T. (1973).  Theory of the Leisure Class.  Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Company (Original work published in 1899).

Davis, F. (1992).  Fashion, Culture, and Identity, Chicago:  The
University of Chicago Press.

Schneider, J. and Weiner, (1989). Cloth and Human Experience.
Washington, D.C.:  Smithsonian Institute.

Sproles, G. (1981).  Perspectives of Fashion.  Minneapolis:
Burgess Publishing Company.

Craik, J. (1994).  The Faces of Fashion.  New York:  Routeledge.

Ash, J. & Wilson, E. (1993).  Chic Thrills.  Berkeley:  University
of California Press.

Outline Course Requirements

Class participation including discussion and THINKING HARD
will be crucial to the student's success in this course.
Format:  This course is based on lecture, discussion, and group
brainstorming.  It will be important to participate in each step of
the process.

Research Paper:  The students will be expected to use theories
from one or more of the root disciplines (sociology, psychology,
business, economics, politics, anthropology, etc.) of fashion to
provide a framework for a paper which results in significant
progress toward new theoretical developments in fashion theory.
In addition, primary data must be collected and presented that
illustrates the student's theoretical contribution.  A final 10-20
page paper written in scholarly format will be the result.  APA
format required.

Article Synopsis and Critical Analysis:  Graduate students are
expected to submit article synopses and critical analyses of the
readings from the course packet.  A form for this will be
provided.  These will be handed in at various times as indicated
on the course schedule.

Other Comments

Prerequisites:  Graduate Standing