This module presents thematic approaches to the study of fashion as an historical subject through image-based lectures, screenings and study visits. Students will be introduced to the historical development of fashion and dress from the 1750s to the present day. Each session is intended to address particular ideas and practices that have shaped and constructed our contemporary understanding of fashion as both a productive profession and as a meaningful social and cultural activity. The module engages with critical texts to allow students to examine the relationship between theory and practice in fashion and design and to develop an understanding of the emergence of fashion design as a cultural response to modernity. Key themes relating to clothing, including changing techniques and technologies of production, fashion and identity, fashion and consumer culture, the development of fashion imagery, archiving fashion, and the display and exhibition of fashion will be explored. An integral part of this module is the consideration of designed objects and images. Critical debates, which have shaped theoretical discussions of fashion, are introduced and the importance of context to the way in which fashion is valued is a central theme for discussion.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Image-based lectures, discussions, screenings and study visits are used to introduce and develop the content of the module. These are used to explore key ideas and examples, and provide the reference point for course reading, and the assessment tasks. An individual, research journal which is self-directed underpins student learning, and offers an opportunity for self-reflection and connection to studio-based learning.
The module will make use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas for communication and dissemination of information between students and staff as well as making online learning materials available to all. Students should check this site on a daily basis for module information, timetables, sign-ups, updates and additional information and teaching materials.
All courses based in the Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on Business and Management skills. Some of these are embedded in the curriculum and offer additional self-paced learning, others may be taken at will by students wishing to broaden their employability skills in other areas.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | image-based lectures, discussions, screenings and study visits | 44 |
Guided independent study | 256 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
The first assessment allows students to display their developing academic skills in research, writing, and visual analysis in the context of introductory themes of the module. The assessment emphasises skills in assembling images, text and key concepts, and understanding relations between them. These skills are further developed in the second assessment, where a more integrated approach to images, text and concepts is developed in a longer piece of writing. Feedback received from the first assessment feeds forward into the second assessment, which allows for development in key academic skills.
1) 1000 word piece of writing (20%), formative and summative;
2) Essay of 2000 words (80%), summative.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1) Identify key historical issues debates that have informed the understanding of fashion within modernity; | 1) 1000 word piece of writing 2) Essay (2000 words) |
2) Convey a contextualised understanding of their own work and practice; | 1) 1000 word piece of writing 2) Essay (2000 words) |
3) Describe some of the theoretical concepts through which fashion and the fashion industry has been constructed; | 1) 1000 word piece of writing 2) Essay (2000 words) |
4) Convey an understanding of the relationship between design and technology; | 1) 1000 word piece of writing 2) Essay (2000 words) |
5) Describe and analyse visual and material examples; | 1) 1000 word piece of writing 2) Essay (2000 words) |
6) Convey their knowledge and understanding in writing. | 1) 1000 word piece of writing 2) Essay (2000 words) |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
1000 word piece of writing | Coursework | 20% |
Essay, 2000 words | Coursework | 80% |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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English, B. (2007) The Cultural History of Fashion, Berg
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