COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the many facets of communication fashion to the outside world. We shall analyze the ways various media: print visual, and new, cover fashion. The role of PR in facilitating access to coverage will also be examined.
Fashion journalism is undergoing a major shift with the advent of new technology. In order to understand this revolution, we shall consider the larger context in which fashion coverage is being played out. We shall look at newspapers, magazines, TV, movies, and the web.
How fashion can be presented: as spectacle, as image, as art, as craft, and as commercial, industrial entity ill be given consideration.
An introduction to the major players and characters in the fashion world will also be a part of this course.
STUDENT LEARNING GOALS:
Students will understand the different ways fashion topics can be covered. They will be come aware of the advantages and disadvantages of various media used and how to apply this awareness to their fashion coverage. They will acquire depth in understanding how fashion has been covered over the past four decades. They will acquire a good knowledge of the major fashion players and the emergence of big business in fashion. As a result, students will develop a practical competence in a field of contemporary communications.
Graduate students will be expected to present two blog posts per week for class. They will also be expected to do at least one original interview with a fashion player at the end of the semester.
TEXTBOOKS:
REQUIRED:
Fashioning the City: Paris Fashion and the Media, Agnes Rocamora, I.B. Tauris, 2009
Paris Fashion, A Cultural History, Valerie Steele, Berg, 1998
Fashion Statements, On Style, Appearance and Reality, Ron Scapp and Brian Seitz, 2010
RECOMMENDED:
Other material will be discussed in class. Students are encouraged to have in depth awareness of various fashion magazines and websites.
ATTENDANCE:
Class attendance, on-time arrival and participation are very important. Absence will be reflected in the final grade.
GRADING:
1) Class Participation: including readings, blogs and work in progress presentations: 30%
2) Midterm: Individual project: 25%
3) Research project: including research journal: 45%
OUTLINE:
WEEK 1 – Jan 21
TV news, shows; difference between covering real news and fashion; a global assessment.
WEEK 2 – Jan 28
Documentaries: exposing the fashion players
WEEK 3 – Feb 4
Movies and TV series, and how they reflect the world of fashion. Photographers and their role.
WEEK 4 – Feb 11
Print: Newspaper Coverage
WEEK 5 – Feb 18
Magazine Coverage: an examination of different identities
SPRING BREAK – FEB 24 – MAR 7
WEEK 6 – Mar 11
Photographers. How stories are chosen for Print
WEEK 7 – Mar 18
Websites and their importance
WEEK 8 – Mar 25
Blogs and Webzines
WEEK 9 – Apr 1
An examination of blogs
WEEK 10 – Apr 8
Website Summary
WEEK 11 – Apr 15
PR – How to write a press release
EASTER BREAK – APR 21 – 23
WEEK 12 – Apr 29
PR issues: Synchronicity between fashion and PR
WEEK 13 – May 6
Presentations: Reports on covering a fashion event from multiple media platforms
FINALS – May 12-16
Exact date and time will be determined later
