Course Outline

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate continued development of outcomes from Integrative Studio and Seminar 1, including a capacity to bring writing and making together through critical thought, and work iteratively. (Studio and Seminar)
  2. At an introductory level, explore visual representations of abstract ideas (using 2-D, 3-D and/or 4-D media). Employ visual and perceptual thinking as a problem-solving tool across multiple art and design applications. (Studio)
  3. Demonstrate an ability to utilize online tools individually and collaboratively in order to collect, organize and communicate research. (Studio and Seminar)
  4. Demonstrate an introductory capacity to collect, analyze, interpret and synthesize information through multiple research methods; discussion, writing, and making processes; and in studio and seminar outcomes. (Studio and Seminar)
  5. Demonstrate reflection on creative skills learned, choices made, and connections fostered, through the ongoing documentation and archiving of assignments in the learning portfolio. Students will use the portfolio to demonstrate an engagement with the idea of making as a form of thinking. (Studio and Seminar)
  6. Engage with art and design as a generator, embodiment and transmitter of cultural ideas. Demonstrate an understanding of value systems as social constructs. (Studio and Seminar)
  7. Demonstrate an ability to integrate concepts, material skills and techniques from other courses and experiences into project work. (Studio)
  8. Demonstrate an introductory ability to develop a research question or problem from a hunch or interest through contextual research and iterative research process. (Studio)
  9. Demonstrate an introductory capacity to use studio-based making and interactions to investigate, test, and hone a research question / problem using a range of methods.(Studio)

ASSESSABLE TASKS
These are the activities, assignments, projects that satisfy the course’s learning outcomes.

  • Understand and use a variety of research methodologies as process and creative strategy. (Learning Outcome 1, 3, 4, and 7)
  • Present ideas and information utilizing a variety of media. Exhibit an understanding of the multiple roles fashion plays in daily life, culture, and politics. (2, 3, and 6)
  • Reflect on your own identity and how dress and fashion reflect and shape how the world understands you. (2, 4, and 5)
  • Experience fashion as a part of visual culture noting it in different media and mediums (film, newspaper, art and public gathering). (2, 5, 6)
  • Develop projects that ask relevant questions and explores dress and fashion in relationship to identity, community, politics and activism. (1, 4, 6, 7, and 8)
  • Exhibit an understanding of the multiple roles fashion plays in culture, daily life, and politics. (2, 3, and 6)
  • Complete a series of projects that require concept and material investigation and problem solving. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9)
  • Contribute personal documentation to the Learning Portfolio, reflecting of the design iteration process from conception to completion; make connections between studio and seminar work over the course of the term (1, 5)


BRIDGE PROJECTS SUMMARIES (STUDIO)

INQUIRY: BRIDGE PROJECT 1 – INTERSECTIONS OF ME
Weeks 1-3: Jan. 28 – Feb. 11

Description: FASHIONING THE SELF/ IN RELATION TO OTHERS

Through a series of exercises that include researching, reflecting and making, students investigate identity and intersectionality specifically in relationship to themselves. Working with and pulling from their research, students look at aspects of identity through an intersectional lens and articulate nuanced aspects of their own identities within the format of a zine.

Due Dates:

  • A self-portrait for six consecutive days, due  February 4
  • Three photographs exploring aspects of your identity, due  February 11
  • Oral history interview, due  February 11
  • Zine dummy print due  February 25
  • Final zine due  March 4
  • Learning Portfolio process and reflection post due  March 11

CONTEXT + INVESTIGATION: BRIDGE PROJECT 2 – FABRIC AND THREAD
Weeks 4-6: Feb. 25 – March 11

Description: FASHIONING COMMUNITY/ IN RELATION TO THE GROUP

Utilizing a range of research and process methodology including site visits, field notes, archival research, mapping and/or diagramming, drawing, photography and interviews, students look outward and consider community in connection with a selected site within the city. Working with fabric and thread (other materials are optional), students create a panel measuring at least 12” x 12” that explores the interwoven and interconnectivity of their researched site and community.

Due Dates:

  • Field work, documentation and interviews begun in Seminar February 18 due March 4
  • Three detailed concept sketches due March 11
  • Panel due March 25
  • Learning Portfolio process and reflection post due April 1

 

INTERPRETATION + ARGUMENT: BRIDGE PROJECT 3 – REMAKE AND RESPOND
Weeks 7-10: March 25 – April 15

Description: FASHIONING THE WORLD TO COME/ THE POLITICAL

In this unit students consider the possibilities of fashion and dress in politics. Researching current news sources, students hone in on a current topic that has relevance for them. Working with no longer used and/or wanted clothing for this project, students deconstruct the garment(s) and then using the pieces reconstruct a new object that speaks to their selected topic. All aspects of the process will be documented and included in a reflected blog post at the completion of the project.

Due Dates:

  • Research current news sources and written text due April 1
  • Initial garment documentation due April 8
  • Sketches due April 8
  • Reconstructed garment due April 15
  • Learning Portfolio process and reflection post due April 22

 

CONNECTIONS: BRIDGE PROJECT 4 – BEING THE CHANGE
Weeks 10-14: April 15 – May 13

Description: FASHIONING THE WORLD TO COME/ THE POLITICAL

Students research current events from global financial crisis, climate change to the refugee crisis in Europe, the migration crisis everywhere, etc. and select an issue that speaks to you. Students read, consider, investigate, and observe in order to identify problems, further consider, create and ultimately contribute. Create a work (may be clothing, zine or video) aiming to help one of the communities directly involved in your selected global crisis.

Due Dates:

  • Research due April 29
  • Concept sketches due April 29
  • Garment(s), zine or video due May 13
  • Learning Portfolio process and reflection post due May 14

 

REFLECTION + PRESENTATION: BRIDGE PROJECT 5 – REFLECTIONS
Weeks 13-15: May 6 – May 14

Description: BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME

Students document process and projects throughout the semester and draw from these for the final reflection in the form of a zine or video. Reflections should include insights and move beyond recalling the semester.

Due Dates:

  • Zine or video due May 14
  • Final Learning Portfolio process and reflection post due May 14