The Social Psychology of Dress

The Social Psychology of Dress (FAS-201)
Location:
Various: distance learning format

Length:
Varies (self-study; self-paced)

Dates:
April 2019 - Present.

Subject Area:
Fashion Merchandising

Number of Credits:
3

Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: describe how meanings of dress vary from society to society; explain the common purposes that dress serves (i.e., to protect, to communicate, or to personally satisfy); interpret scholarly publications about dress and ideas of research topics regarding dress; evaluate clothing as a form of human behavior, considering the social and cognitive factors influencing the management and perception of personal appearance in everyday life; assess the importance of social and cultural context in the creation and interpretation of clothing symbolism; differentiate psychological, sociological and anthropological perspectives of dress that influence appearance management; compare and contrast concepts and methods appropriate for the study of appearance in contemporary societies; and analyze how cultural and societal factors influence dress behaviors.

Instructions:
This course provides students with basic concepts and theories from social psychology applied to dress and its connection to human behavior. Major topics include: how dress reflects self-feelings, clothing as part of a nonverbal communication system and how it relates to human behavior changes and communicates gender, race, religion, and position establishes social identities and affects interpersonal encounters. Instructional methods include: Study guide, required readings, and a final exam.

Credit Recommendation:
In the associate/certificate degree category OR in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Sociology, Psychology, or Fashion Merchandising (4/19).