History is not just the published stories of the rich, famous and powerful, but also everybody’s story. Every museum or collection, every home, contains some bit of material culture, (historic real life items) that has a story to tell. Apparel and textile items in particular, have stories to tell in part due to their visual nature and connection to life events that hold personal or family significance. This assignment is designed to give you the opportunity to collect, discuss, analyze, and record some history regarding apparel.
Activity:
You are asked to collect, identify, discuss, and analyze in a medium length paper, 6 – 8 typed pages, a set of family photographs (6-10) from the 20th century. Any time frame of images would work for this assignment. However if your images are from the early part of the 20th century 1900 to 1985, you will have quality visual information for more interesting discussions. Images after 1985 are visually too similar to what we currently wear and of course if your family has images prior to the 20th century you may use them.
The focus of your paper is a discussion of the apparel items visible in the various images and a critical analysis of those items in comparisons to fashions that were generally expected to be found, during the time period that the images are dated.
If you can speak with any of the individuals who are in the images that might add information as to occasion, or how, or where the apparel items were purchased that would add to the depth of your own written discussion.
Insert the images into the text of your paper. This may require photo-copying or scanning these photos, so be prepared to figure out a way to handle this and give yourself enough time to have the images on hand for scanning and inclusion in the text of your paper.
You will probably need between 6 – 10 photographs to have sufficient material for an in depth discussion.
Images, both family photographs and any illustrations to support your discussion, do not take the place of your written work and careful choice of illustrations to confirm styles shown in the photos will enhance your paper. Include a reference of any sources, written or visual, including any individual you interviewed or spoke with, that you have used in preparing your paper.
Grading criteria:
Your paper will be graded on professional presentation, depth of discussion, critical analysis, and appropriate use of illustrative material, spelling, grammar, and references. Organizational elements for the paper such as an introduction and conclusion will help the reader to make transitions into what you are writing about. Include a cover page with your name, course name and number and submission date. The cover page is separate from the 6-8 typed pages of content.
Introduction
o Provide an in-depth discussion of the impact of culture, ethnicity, race,
religion, social class and economics on the costume in the images (30
points)
Critical Analysis (55 points)
Conclusion (15 points)
Minimum of five references (10 points).
A minimum of 6– 8 typed pages, double-spaced, and properly formatted using APA guidelines. The reference page is separate from the 6-8 typed pages of content (10 points).
Internet cannot be your only source or primary source for references. Research should include academic journal articles, books, and other relevant information such as interviews and magazines. Do not use Wikipedia. Points will be deducted if it is used.