75601 - English for Fashion

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will have good knowledge of the English language giving special attention to the language for the fashion industry. S/he will know the field-specific terminology, will be familiar with the literature (books, journals, etc.) in this sector, will be able to produce a variety of texts related to fashion.

Course contents

The course is intended for first-year students of Fashion Culture and Management [http://www.scienzequalitavita.unibo.it/it/attivita-didattica/summer-schools/fashion-and-creativity/index.html] (international two-year master) who need to communicate in English for their studies and jobs in fashion. Its main purpose is to improve translation and critical reading of English texts, and to encourage discussions and reflections on themes relevant to fashion.

To help students understand specific texts of the fashion sector and fashion studies linguistic and textual analysis of practical documents will be the main activity carried out.

The topics of the course will cover each element of the fashion industry from garment design and construction, textiles, through to the production and promotion of collections, and event planning.

Lessons will be held in English and partly in Italian for the translations.

Within the framework of Special Lessons, scholars and professionals are invited to hold seminars that students must attend.

Readings/Bibliography

for the final exam students will be tested on the following texts, films and assignment:

- Reader 2019 (from the part "Fashion Design Directory", only 7 pages of student’s choice)

(Pls note: we will use the Reader starting from the FIRST LECTURE; the Reader will be available at Cartoleria Tecnica, Via Dante, 30)

- Mary E. Ward, English for the Fashion Industry, Oxford, 2012 (Pls note: we will use this book starting from the FIRST LECTURE. The book can be found at "La Feltrinelli", Rimini or Bologna)

- Marnie Fogg, Fashion Design Directory, Firefly 2011 /Thames & Hudson, 2011 (Pls note: the part of this book required for the exam is contained in the Reader 2019)

(the Italian version of Marnie Fogg, Fashion Design Directory, La Moda dalla A alla Z, Atlante, 2012, is recommended for students who have difficulties in translating from English into Italian part of the Reader on the descriptions of fashion designers and their creations).

- Two books from the series Vogue On:

- Vogue On Christian Dior, Charlotte Sinclair, Quadrille Publishing, London 2012

- Vogue On Gianni Versace, Charlotte Sinclair, Quadrille Publishing, London 2015

Recommended readings:

- Dizionario della moda (inglese-italiano, italiano-inglese), Mariella Lorusso, Zanichelli, Bologna 2017

- Two films

"Valentino: The Last Emperor", by Matt Tyrnauer, 2008

- “Dior and I”, by Frédéric Tcheng, 2014

- "Prêt-à-porter", by Robert Altman, 1994

- “Phantom Thread”, by Paul Thomas Anderson, 2018

- Written assignment of 3000-4000 characters, spaces included, on Vogue On Christian Dior, Charlotte Sinclair, Quadrille Publishing, London 2012 (only one date)

Teaching methods

Lectures, teacher-led discussion and assignments. Interaction with students, presentations, and role-play simulations.

Assessment methods

The final exam will be oral and will evaluate field-specific terminology, and the ability of the student to understand and talk about literature (books, journals, etc.) of this sector. Students are also required to write an assignment of 3000-4000 characters, spaces included. (only one date: December 19).

A single final mark will be given based on the average of the following components:

- written assignment (one date: December 19th);

- Reader 2019;

- Vogue On Gianni Versace (and Vogue on Christian Dior, only for those students who won't be present at the written assignment);

- two films;

- student's presentation (during lectures or final exam)

Teaching tools

PC, Wi-Fi, video/DVD projector, overhead projector

Office hours

See the website of Mariella Lorusso