HART241 - 01 - Fash. Hist. 18th c. to Today

This course examines fashion in Europe and North America from the 18th century to today, from the growth of consumerism and the industrial revolution, to the emergence of haute couture and contemporary fashion. The course explores fashion as an expression of aesthetics, but also politics, technology, global economics, and identity with special attention to gender, race, sexuality, and class. Focus is on key shifts in fashion, setting them in historical context. The expression and meaning of fashion is explored through diverse sources - art works, fashion plates, photographs, and writings. Emphasis is placed on identifying styles and understanding fashion's relationship to society and identity. Expected outcomes include an understanding of fashion from 18th - 21st centuries and development of critical thinking. This is a fully remote class with Zoom lectures, independent reading, and note-taking assignments to complement the in-class slide lectures and discussions.