Theatre 231a – Costume Construction
Fall 2008
Christina Haatainen-Jones
(818) 662-8733
(818) 468-6756 mobile
THaatainenJones@aol.com
Class Meetings
Tuesday and Thursday – 11:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Course Objectives
 To understand the lines, silhouettes, and details of fashion from ancient
times through the 17th Century.
 To review progress, politics, art, and world events that help determine the
reasons for the clothing styles of different eras and locations.
 To discuss how style affects character in both life and on the stage.
 To attend one USC theatrical production and write a review of the costume
design based on interpretation of the period depicted in the production.
 To present a comprehensive report on a focused aspect of fashion/costume
history that interests you.
Grading
The final course grade is based on the following point scale: A=91-100; B=81-90;
C=71-80; D=61-70; F=60 or below. Point values are assigned to individual tests,
quizzes and projects.
Expectations, Evaluations, and Grading
 Students are expected to arrive at class on time.
 Quizzes will be given at start of class
 No more than 2 unexcused absences will be permitted without affecting the
student’s grade.
 Grading scale
Quizzes
25%
Midterm Review
15%
Final Review
20%
Production Review Paper
15%
Research Project
25%
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).
THEATRE 231a
Fall 2008
pg. 2
Special 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
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
SYLLABUS AND COURSE ASSIGNED READING
Please read assigned pages prior to meeting for class
TEXT: SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME: A History of Western Dress
Phyllis G. Tortora & Keith Eubank
Aug. 26
Aug. 28
Sept. 2
Sept. 4
Sept. 9
Sept. 11
Sept. 16
Sept. 18
Sept. 23
Sept. 25
Sept. 30
Oct. 2
Oct. 7
Oct. 9
Oct. 14
Oct. 16
Introduction to Course
THE ANCIENT WORLD
3500 B.C. – A.D. 300
Mesopotamia Costume
Egyptian Costume / Men
pg. 11 - 18
3500 – 600 B.C.
3000 – 300 B.C.
pg. 18 - 24
pg. 24 – 31
Egyptian Costume / Women 3000 – 300 B.C.
pg. 31 – 41
CRETE AND GREECE
Minoan and Mycenaean Costumes 2900 -1150 B.C. pg. 44 – 50
Greek Costume 800 – 300 B.C.
Specialized/military/theatrical
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
ETRURIA AND ROME
Etruscan Costume 800 – 200 B.C.
Roman Costume 500 B.C. – A.D. 400
Roman Costume / Women, Children, Components
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
pg. 50 – 62
pg. 64 – 69
pg. 69 – 76
pg. 76 - 83
THE MIDDLE AGES
Overview / Byzantine Era A.D. 300 -1453
Fall of the Roman Empire - to A.D. 900
pg. 87 – 97
pg. 98 – 102
10th through 12th Century
13th Century
pg. 102-112
pg. 112-121
Theatre 231a
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
-
21
23
THE LATE MIDDLE AGES
14th Century
15th Century
28
30
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Midterm Review
Nov. 4
Nov. 6
Nov. 11
Nov. 13
Nov. 18
Nov.
Nov.
Nov.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Fall 2008
THE RENAISSANCE
Overview / The Italian Renaissance
15th and 16th Century Costumes
Overview / The Northern Renaissance
16th Century /Costumes for Men
16th Century / Costumes for Women & Children
20
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
BAROQUE AND ROCOCO
Overview / 17th Century/Costumes for Men
25
27
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
THANKSGIVING BREAK
2
4
17th Century / Costumes for Women / REVIEW
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
pg. 3
pg. 124-135
pg. 135-147
pg. 151-158
pg. 159-169
pg. 172-183
pg. 183-192
pg. 195-213
pg. 213-222
FINAL
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Final presentations should enhance and bring additional focus and information to an
area of fashion discussed this semester. The presentations should last at least 15
to 20 minutes and include visuals (art work, illustrations, diagrams or 3-dimensional
displays).
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 costume design. How did the design help set
the time period and how did the costumes enhance the characters in the play?
In your opinion was the overall design successful and why?