90882 - Sociology of the Global Fashion Organization

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student is expected to acquire the basic information on the processes of the internationalization of the fashion system, focusing on the different phases, project, manufacturing, distribution and consumption. Through the examination of the main characteristics of the contemporary textile-clothing sector, the student is able to frame the structural and cultural dynamics characterizing the globalization of the fashion system.

Course contents

The course addresses the basic coordinates for an understanding of the globalised fashion system, its characteristics and critical issues.

The following thematic cores will be covered:

1. The predominant fashion system

    1.1. System thinking and fashion; The origin of the Eurocentric paradigm;

    1.2. Cultural issues - case study: Decentralising Fashion or Commodification of Diversity? The ‘West and the Rest’ representations on the pages of Vogue Italia;

    1.3. Environmental issues: Discrepancies between fashion and natural systems; overproduction and overconsumption, fibres and materials, dyeing and finishing;

    1.4. Social issues: Offshore vs. domestic sourcing, modern-day slavery, the effects of globalisation on local communities;

2. Towards Plurality of Fashion Systems

    2.1 Post-growth fashion

    2.2 Matters of Care and kindness towards all living beings

    2.3 Matters of Rewilding

 

This syllabus is to be considered provisional. The professor reserves the right to slightly modify or supplement the content and bibliography prior to the start of classes. Students are advised to check the updated version before the course begins.

Readings/Bibliography

Core literature

Fletcher, Kate (2018). Moda, design e sostenibilità, Milano: Postmedia Srl. Chapter 1: Moda sostenibile; 

Segre Reinach, Simona (2011). Un mondo di mode, Roma-Bari: Laterza. Chapter 1: La moda globalizzata;

Segre Reinach, Simona (2010 [2005]). La moda. Un'introduzione, Roma-Bari: Laterza. Cahapter 5: Fare moda oggi;

Segre Reinach, Simona (2022). Per un vestire gentile: moda e liberazione animale. Milano: Pearson. Chapters 2 and 3;

Suggested readings

Fletcher, Kate and Matilda Tham. 2021[2019]. Earth Logic Fashion Action Research Plan. London: The JJ Charitable Trust, 16-38.

Payne, Alice. 2019. “Fashion Futuring in the Anthropocene: Sustainable Fashion as ‘Taming’ and ‘Rewilding’”, Fashion Theory, Vol.23 n.1, 5-23.

Niessen, Sandra. 2022. “Defining defashion: A manifesto for degrowth.” International Journal of Fashion Studies, Vol.9 n.2, 439-444.

de Castro, Orsola. 2021. Loved Clothes Last. London: Penguin Random House. selection (to be comunicated). *traduzione in Italiano disponibile

Dickson, Marsha A. and Hayley Warren (2020). "A look at Labour Issues in the Manufacturing of Fashion through the Perspective of Human Trafficking and Modern-day slavery." In The Dangers of Fashion. Towards Ethical and Sustainable Solutions curato da Sara B. Marcketti e Elena E. Karpova. London-New York: Bloomsbury.

Ting Chi and Sheng Lu (2020). "The Dangers in the Fashion Supply Chain: Offshore vs. Domestic Sourcing." In The Dangers of Fashion. Towards Ethical and Sustainable Solutions curato da Sara B. Marcketti e Elena E. Karpova. London-New York: Bloomsbury.

Teaching methods

Lectures, case studies analysis, exercises to be completed in class.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test designed to assess the knowledge acquired, as well as the student's critical thinking and analytical skills, and is divided into:
- two open-ended questions on the material covered in the first part of the course (the dominant fashion system), and
- a short essay based on individual preparatory research into the topics covered in the second part of the course (alternative fashion systems).

 

The written test has a duration of 150 minutes; students with specific learning disabilities (DSA) are granted additional 50 minutes. There are no mid-term assessments or assignments to be submitted prior to the exam date. Each question is worth a maximum of 5 points, while the short essay carries a maximum of 20 points, making for a total of 30 points (the maximum possible grade). During the course, guidelines for writing the essay will be provided, along with suggestions designed to facilitate the preparatory research to be conducted independently.

The academic grading system uses a scale of thirty, with a minimum score of 18/30 required to pass the written exam. In cases of excellence, cum laude (honors) may be awarded in addition to the maximum score (30 with lode).

 

The use of AI is prohibited during assessments. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

The presentations used in class will be available on Virtuale after each lesson.

Links to further information

https://virtuale.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=84036

Office hours

See the website of Nadica Maksimova