Description
[Modern; Renaissance/Baroque] This course will survey the history of Western costume and fashion beginning with early clothing from Ancient Middle East to present day United States and Europe. Over the course of the semester, we will explore the development of clothing from function – to protect the body – to an expression of one’s social condition, an expression of culture, and the birth of the concept of fashion. By studying costume and how it changes over time we shall examine many interesting perspectives about people, different social classes, and political and social changes. The evolution of clothing will be studied in conjunction with correlated fine arts, literature, decorative arts, sculpture, and architecture. Socio-economic, religious, and political influences on dress and fashion will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on research, critical thinking, and understanding the relevance of the course as it relates to current design.