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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN2657 20th Century Fashion History

20 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Dr Bethan Bide
Email: b.bide@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

N/A

Module replaces

DESN2658

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Students will be guided through a historical study of fashion charting major developments over the past century. This will involve an analysis of the role of fashion within contemporary society. By way of literary references and illustration, concepts relating to consumer behaviour and social change will be explored. This will involve enquiry into the impact of musical, political and social influences, particularly on the style, silhouette and structure of garments. The manufacture, transfer, dissemination and adoption of various fashion styles will be examined with particular emphasis on the role played by underrepresented and marginalised groups. Key fashion designers will be studied and an analysis made of their sources of inspiration, methods of working and marketing. An overview of production processes will be provided in order to understand the relationship the fashion sector has with other sectors of society.

Objectives

This module introduces students to the development of fashion cultures, movements and styling in the 20th century. It discusses key authors, theorists and methodologies for the study of fashion history and explores the relationship between politics, social change, commerce, art movements and the development of fashion products and services.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Critically analyse and comment upon the chronological development of fashion products and design processes and to illustrate work with contemporary and historical references;
2. Decode fashion products and analyse them within a framework drawing on social, political and economic references;
3. Understand the various processes involved in the design, production, consumption and marketing of fashion products, particularly clothing and related products;
4. Comment upon contemporary issues concerned with fashion within a global context;
5. Interpret the ever changing external environment in which fashion operates and to identify relevant sources of information for further research and study.


Syllabus

Students will be guided through a historical study of fashion charting major developments over the 20th century. This will involve an analysis of the role of fashion within contemporary society.
The module will explore the relationship between fashion, society and culture. By way of literary references and illustration, it will discuss the impact of musical, political, technological and social influences on fashion design and manufacture in order to understand the relationship the fashion sector has with other sectors of society. In order to decolonise existing fashion historical narratives, the module places particular emphasis on the role played by underrepresented and marginalised groups, acknowledging the significant influence that working class women, immigrants and international commodity chains played in the development of 20th century fashion.
The module will be delivered through lectures. Indicative lecture content includes:
- Overview 20th Century Fashion: 1900-1939
- Overview 20th Century Fashion: 1939-2000
- Glamour and the silver screen: Seeing fashion through the mass entertainment medium of cinema - Beauty as Duty: How conflict shaped fashion in the 20th Century
- Making the New Look: Unpicking the legacy of Christian Dior - The cult of youth: The rise of the teenage consumer and subcultural style
- From tweed to tracksuits: The decline (and rise?) of the British suit
- Fashion cities: Changing hierarchies in Paris, London, New York, Tokyo and Milan

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lectures101.0010.00
Seminars21.002.00
Archival Sessions21.002.00
Independent online learning hours25.00
Private study hours161.00
Total Contact hours14.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Independent online learning is facilitated by digital learning resources which allow student to explore in more detail topics signposted in the lectures, and gain familiarity with key resources and ideas. As part of their online learning students will be set a series of interactive tasks to guide them through the online content. Private study also includes set reading (36 hours), further reading (47), selected videos (22 hours), podcasts (11 hours), reviewing lecture slides (11 hours), and visits to resources (particularly museum exhibitions and archives) (32 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will produce a poster presentation of three objects, three images and three quotations relating to their chosen research question for formative assessment. This will be presented to their tutor and peers in the form of a poster presentation in small group seminars in week 8. They will receive verbal feedback on this plan from the tutor, as well as written peer feedback. This prepares students for the developed essay assignment set for summative assessment.
In addition, students will be monitored through a number of ongoing mechanisms throughout the duration of the module including attendance, participation in seminars and online learning activities.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay3000-3500 Word essay.100.00
Poster PresentationA2 Poster with 3x examples of objects, images and quotations.0.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 10/08/2020 08:35:03

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