DFB206 Fashion: Histories and Cultures
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | DFB206 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 48 credit points of study |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | DFB206 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 48 CP credit points of study |
| Coordinator: | Icaro Ibanez Arricivita | icaro.ibanezarricivita@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit examines fashion as a cultural, social and political practice across time. It situates dress within global histories and cultures, focussing on issues of power, identity, and industrial transformations. Moving from early histories of fashion systems through to contemporary debates, the unit highlights paradigmatic shifts, including sustainability, fast fashion, globalisation and activism.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of historical and cultural contexts, frameworks and environments within which fashion operates.
- Identify, evaluate and synthesise key aesthetic changes in fashion related to cultural and industry contexts.
- Apply and adapt fashion knowledge and skills creatively.
- Communicate effectively in written, visual and oral formats appropriate to the study of fashion history.
- Work in groups, collaborating and communicating actively in a team environment
Content
The main topic areas to be explored in this unit will be:
- Fashion as culture and history
- Fashion beyond clothing: The fashionable body, identity, social meaning
- Early fashion systems and hierarchies
- Colonialism/decolonialism: dress and power/resistance through clothing
- Industrial revolution and modern fashion systems
- Post mid-twentieth century sub-cultural, countercultural fashion styles
- Race and representation
- Globalisation of fashion and global supply chains
- Fast fashion and paradigmatic shifts
- Histories and cultures of sustainability in fashion
- Contemporary debates: Digital, Activism and ethics
- Futures of fashion: justice and ethics
Learning Approaches
This unit allows you to combine fashion theory, history and culture. You will explore the history of fashion and social and cultural perspectives in fashion. Classes will build your critical knowledge of practices and aesthetics of fashion in a global context. There will be opportunities for peer discussion and informal peer critique. Your work will be strongly supported by staff as you develop and refine your skills in an open, constructive and creatively supportive environment. Lectures will frame contemporary practice and a range of online supporting resources will be used to develop fashion systems theory.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided in the following ways:
- formative feedback given on your progress during discussion sessions at key points in the semester
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheet grading
- generic comments delivered to the cohort via QUT Canvas
- feedback from peers.
Assessment
Overview
There are two assignment items for this unit. The first is an individual assignment where you develop a fashion portfolio derived from unit material. The second is a group work where you work with your peers to the development of a creative project related to fashion history and culture. This assessment has an individual component.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Critical Fashion Research Portfolio
You will write a series of short written texts responding to weekly topics/lectures and readings which will form your written and visual portfolio. The portfolio will showcase your understanding of critical fashion analysis and academic writing. This assessment is designed to enhance your skills in communicating fashion culture and history in a critical way.
Through this task, you will hone your research and writing skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of fashion within a global context.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Creative Project
For this assessment, you will collaborate with your peers to develop an applied creative project that showcases visual and written research exploring global fashion histories and cultures. As a team, you will need to plan and organise your research, design, and presentation, while also considering how to effectively communicate your findings to your audience. Individually, you will need to synthesise and communicate the knowledge you have acquired during the research process. Through this task, you will gain a deeper understanding of fashion histories and cultures, and develop key academic and professional skills that are essential in the fashion industry.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.
Resources
There are no set texts for this unit but you will be given a curated set of resources to support your learning via QUT Readings.
Resource Materials
Other
To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
All students and staff are required to complete Tier 1 of CIESJ Student HSE Inductions for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.
Tier 1 Visit and review all sections of the health, safety and environment
If requiring access to Z5, 10, 11, 12, 13 (Kelvin Grove) workshops, you must complete Tier 2 - Workshops HSE induction
Where substantial computer-based work is required, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Further information can be found on the unit Canvas.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DE43 Bachelor of Design
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Creative Project - Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project
DE45 Bachelor of Design - International
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Creative Project - Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project
DV99 Bachelor of Design
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Creative Project - Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
Relates to: ULO1, Creative Project - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
Relates to: ULO2, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Online
| Unit code: | DFB206 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 48 CP credit points of study |
Overview
This unit examines fashion as a cultural, social and political practice across time. It situates dress within global histories and cultures, focussing on issues of power, identity, and industrial transformations. Moving from early histories of fashion systems through to contemporary debates, the unit highlights paradigmatic shifts, including sustainability, fast fashion, globalisation and activism.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of historical and cultural contexts, frameworks and environments within which fashion operates.
- Identify, evaluate and synthesise key aesthetic changes in fashion related to cultural and industry contexts.
- Apply and adapt fashion knowledge and skills creatively.
- Communicate effectively in written, visual and oral formats appropriate to the study of fashion history.
- Work in groups, collaborating and communicating actively in a team environment
Content
The main topic areas to be explored in this unit will be:
- Fashion as culture and history
- Fashion beyond clothing: The fashionable body, identity, social meaning
- Early fashion systems and hierarchies
- Colonialism/decolonialism: dress and power/resistance through clothing
- Industrial revolution and modern fashion systems
- Post mid-twentieth century sub-cultural, countercultural fashion styles
- Race and representation
- Globalisation of fashion and global supply chains
- Fast fashion and paradigmatic shifts
- Histories and cultures of sustainability in fashion
- Contemporary debates: Digital, Activism and ethics
- Futures of fashion: justice and ethics
Learning Approaches
This unit allows you to combine fashion theory, history and culture. You will explore the history of fashion and social and cultural perspectives in fashion. Classes will build your critical knowledge of practices and aesthetics of fashion in a global context. There will be opportunities for peer discussion and informal peer critique. Your work will be strongly supported by staff as you develop and refine your skills in an open, constructive and creatively supportive environment. Lectures will frame contemporary practice and a range of online supporting resources will be used to develop fashion systems theory.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided in the following ways:
- formative feedback given on your progress during discussion sessions at key points in the semester
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheet grading
- generic comments delivered to the cohort via QUT Canvas
- feedback from peers.
Assessment
Overview
There are two assignment items for this unit. The first is an individual assignment where you develop a fashion portfolio derived from unit material. The second is a group work where you work with your peers to the development of a creative project related to fashion history and culture. This assessment has an individual component.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Critical Fashion Research Portfolio
You will write a series of short written texts responding to weekly topics/lectures and readings which will form your written and visual portfolio. The portfolio will showcase your understanding of critical fashion analysis and academic writing. This assessment is designed to enhance your skills in communicating fashion culture and history in a critical way.
Through this task, you will hone your research and writing skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of fashion within a global context.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Creative Project
For this assessment, you will collaborate with your peers to develop an applied creative project that showcases visual and written research exploring global fashion histories and cultures. As a team, you will need to plan and organise your research, design, and presentation, while also considering how to effectively communicate your findings to your audience. Individually, you will need to synthesise and communicate the knowledge you have acquired during the research process. Through this task, you will gain a deeper understanding of fashion histories and cultures, and develop key academic and professional skills that are essential in the fashion industry.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.
Resources
There are no set texts for this unit but you will be given a curated set of resources to support your learning via QUT Readings.
Resource Materials
Other
To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
All students and staff are required to complete Tier 1 of CIESJ Student HSE Inductions for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.
Tier 1 Visit and review all sections of the health, safety and environment
If requiring access to Z5, 10, 11, 12, 13 (Kelvin Grove) workshops, you must complete Tier 2 - Workshops HSE induction
Where substantial computer-based work is required, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Further information can be found on the unit Canvas.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.DE43 Bachelor of Design
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Creative Project - Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project
DE45 Bachelor of Design - International
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Creative Project - Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project
DV99 Bachelor of Design
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, ULO5, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, Creative Project - Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
Relates to: ULO1, Creative Project - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO1, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
Relates to: ULO2, Critical Fashion Research Portfolio, Creative Project - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project - Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
Relates to: ULO3, Creative Project