Fashion-Ology: the Material Culture of Clothing

3.00 credits · Undergraduate

Prereq: Second-year standing; 3 credits from VMCS 1301, FGST 1001; or permission of the Department This course focusses on clothing which is one of the largest and most rapidly expanding sectors of the global economy measured in terms of employment, sales, and pollution. It examines the social systems, body practices, and power configurations that underlie historical and contemporary clothing practices both cross-culturally and locally, focusing on Canada's fashion industry and dress practices. Topics include non-western and non-capitalist clothing practices; gender (male, female, and LGBTQ+) identities in fashion; the ready-made clothing manufacturing and retail industries; environmental impacts of the clothing industry; and labour practices. (Format: Variable 3 Hours)