Leah Piehl
310.922.7730 mobile email: piehl@usc.edu
Class Meetings
Friday 10:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Office hours: By appointment only
Course Objectives

To understand the lines, silhouettes, and details of fashion and architecture from the 17 th Century through the present day.

To review progress, politics, art, and world events that help determine the reasons for the styles of different eras and locations.

To attend one USC theatrical production and write a review of the success of the period and style of the production as conveyed in the design.

To present a comprehensive report on a focused aspect of style history that interests you.
Suggested Text
The Story of Art, E.H. Gombrich
Grading Policy
Students are expected to complete all assignments on the date they are assigned. There will be no makeup for the midterm or final exam. You will also be responsible for completing and presenting your research project on the date you sign up for at the beginning of the semester. If you must change this date for any reason you will need to trade dates with another student and submit this change in writing to me, signed by you and the student with whom you will swap spots. If you simply do not have your research project on the date it is due, you will not earn points for this assignment.
Grading Scale
The final course grade is based on the following point scale: A=96-100; A-=91-95; B+=88-90; B=85-87; B-
=81-84; C+=78-80; C=75-77; C-=71-74; D+=67-70; D=64-66; D-=61-63; F=60 or below. Point values are assigned to individual tests, quizzes and projects.
Grading, Attendance, Tardies and more

Students are expected to arrive at class on time.

No more than 3 unexcused absences will be permitted without affecting the student’s grade.

Grading scale
Participation 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam
Production Review Paper
Research Project
15%
25%
20%
Academic Integrity
Dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students, and the School of Theatre. Therefore, USC policies on academic integrity will be enforced in this course. Papers (designs) suspected of containing plagiarized material (the unacknowledged or inappropriate use of another’s ideas, wording, or images) will be verified for authenticity by the School of Theatre through internet services. I expect you to familiarize yourself with the academic integrity guidelines found in the current SCampus
( www.usc.edu/dept/publications/scampus) .
Disability Services
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability
Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me as early in the semester as possible. DSP is
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located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is
213-740-0776
Research Project
You will choose a specific time and trend pre-20th century and relate it to the art of the era. The purpose is to draw parallels between the design and art of any particular period in history and a theme in fashion and architecture. The presentations should last approximately 25 – 30 minutes and include visuals (art work, illustrations, diagrams or 3-dimensional displays). The purpose of this assignment is to educate the class on your chosen topic of research.
Production Review Paper
Choose a production from USC’s lineup of SOT shows and write a 1-2 pg. review focusing on the effectiveness of the design. How did the design help set the time period and how did the design enhance the characters in the play? In your opinion was the overall design successful and why? This paper is due within
1 week following your attendance at the production .
Aug 13 Introduction to Course – Review Syllabus – Meet and Greet – Research Project
Sign-up, discussion of periods and styles
Sept 6
Sept 13
The Ancient World: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Crete
Greece, Rome
Sept 20 Work on research projects, outline project and scope of presentation
Sept 27 Byzantine & Middle Ages
Oct 4
Oct 11
Oct 18
Oct 25
The Italian Renaissance & The Northern Renaissance
TBD
Midterm
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 22
The Baroque and Rococo Periods
The Romantic Period & The Crinoline Periods/
The Bustle Period; Student Presentation
The Nineties and TOC; Student Presentation
Student Presentation
Nov 29
Dec 6
Thanksgiving break
Catch up and review
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