Scholarly Fashion

The Final Project

For your final paper, you can choose a topic on your own, in consultation with me, or respond to a prompt. You can choose to either submit a traditional academic paper (8-10 pages) or present your final project in the form of a Scalar book (appr. 2,500- 3,000 words). Regardless of what you choose you can build on the ideas from 1 or 2 blogpost(s) that you made over the course of the semester. 

A successful paper will have the following:

1. A well-developed claim about a particular context/movement/phenomenon/time period supported by the appropriate evidence
2. At least two instances of close reading of a primary source (analysis of an image, video, film sequence, or text)
3. Among them, at least one primary source (image, video, film) that we have not discussed in class
4. Engagement with at least three secondary sources (scholarly articles, book chapters). You may (although you do not have to) reference additional secondary sources we have not read in class. Please, cite properly - the policy on plagiarism applies.
5. Effective structure (introduction, well-developed body, conclusion)

You can write your paper in the form of a Scalar piece (although you do not have to). If you choose to do that you can start a new page every time you start a new section (intro, different parts of the body, conclusion) and connect them with the help of a path. You can also use references to your earlier blogposts and present your close analysis of the images/videos in the form of annotations. It is 100% your choice and I will not grade you down if you choose to go with the regular format. The reason I recommend Scalar is that it can help you structure sections better and organize your close analysis in a more effective and visually compelling way (and the web-publishing skills will come in handy in absolutely any job that involves writing).

Here are the prompts for you to consider:

1. Throughout the course, we have seen how fashion scene becomes both a place of construction and (re)negotiation of social boundaries (gender, class, nationhood, ethnicity). Focusing of a specific trend or a time period discuss how fashion (re) envisions the male/female body while constructing and pushing those boundaries.

2. The fashion world revolves around the ideas of the old and the new, the fleeting and the timeless. What is the significance of fast change that lies in the idea of the fashion season? How does it correlate with the turn towards retro and vintage? Focusing on a few examples, discuss fashion trends as statements on consumerism, sustainability, nostalgia, and/or protest.

3. A lot of our discussions revolved around the idea of objectification and sexualization of the female body. What are the different ways in which fashion responded to the anxiety attached to the cultural ubiquity of the male gaze? Discussing a few examples, explore different strategies of addressing objectification (and/or reflecting upon it) in the context of the fashion world.

4. Throughout the course, we have been approaching fashion both as an archive and a repertoire. Focusing on specific examples, discuss how repertoire allows for the change of meaning attributed to a garment, a look, a fashion tendency (e.g. what happens if working-class Mod kids start ironically wearing vintage clothing from the imperial times?) What is the significance of such renegotiations? 

5. Our contemporary engagements with fashion are increasingly mediated. Using specific examples discuss how different media (photography, film, the Internet) influence the process of our fashioning ourselves in the contemporary world. How do music culture, film, or Instagram inform this process?

During our last class on Wed, July, 1st you will briefly present on the topic of your final project (appr. 15 min). Your presentation should address the following questions:

1. Why does this topic matter? Why is it interesting to you?
2. What historic/cultural context do you want to focus on?
3. What are the primary sources you will be reading closely? (be ready to share the images/videos/slides)
4. Where do you see your argument going?
5. What seems difficult so far?

This presentation is an informal way to touch base and exchange ideas and is supposed to help you with the process of writing. Do not stress out about it and approach it as an opportunity to test your ideas.

Please, feel free to email me with any questions/concerns and we will easily set up a Zoom session to discuss your ideas. Your input has been amazing throughout the term and I am looking forward to reading and discussing your final projects.