The College of William and Mary
Sharpe Community Scholars Program
Fall 2009
ETHICAL FASHION
Hispanic Studies 150W
Dr. Regina A. Root
Modern Languages and Literatures
208 Washington Hall
raroot@wm.edu
757•221•7728
Teaching Fellows
Michael Castellano
mrcast@wm.edu
757•724•0074
&
Mondays and Tuesdays,
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
and by appointment
Kate Hibbs
kphibb@wm.edu
773•297•4280
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES
This course is part one of a two-semester service-learning course that examines the topic
of ethical fashion through the lens of Hispanic Studies. The fashion industry is a global
enterprise that employs some 26.5 million people worldwide (many of whom do not
receive living wages), relies on dangerous chemicals to produce textiles for clothing,
further exhausts limited fossil fuels to sustain its supply chains, and promotes excessive
consumption. While many readings are global in their overall focus, this course
highlights cultural responses and creative designs in the Americas that center ethical
questions related to clothing and its inception, production, consumption, and disposal.
Readings will focus on industry standards (organic, fair trade, recycling), cultural policy
studies, and representations of gender and labor. We will collaborate on a series of
reflections that explore the role of cultural agency in disseminating information about
ethical issues in sustainable design. Community-based research and outreach in the areas
of cultural analysis, policy, and education, will have the potential to engage both local
and international settings. While knowledge of Spanish will facilitate one’s research, this
course is taught in English.
During the semester, participants will analyze rhetorical strategies to become more
effective writers. We will focus on the development of resources for better writing, such
as the role of an integrated writing environment in the exploratory stages of the writing
process and collaborative learning opportunities that will result in the completion of
position statements, grant proposals and research briefs. Peer review activities and class
discussions on the presentation of our course topic will help participants improve their
ability to think, read and write critically. Students will also link service learning to the
field of Hispanic Studies and at the College of William and Mary, nationally and
internationally.
Readings
Marsha Dickson, Suzanne Loker and Molly Eckman, Social Responsibility in the Global
Apparel Industry
Josefina López, Real Women Have Curves
Diane Hacker, A Writer’s Reference
Additional readings, information on potential partners, and other materials will be posted
on Blackboard. On our site we will post excerpts about the colonial caste system;
women, work, and the export-processing industry; supply chains and the ecological
impacts of fashion; social responsibility, human rights and sustainability; art and
accountability.
During the semester, we will also view a series of short documentaries and film clips,
including The Corporation, Made in L.A., Maquilópolis, Real Women Have Curves, Ropa
Americana.
Recommended Texts
An unabridged Spanish-English/English-Spanish dictionary.
All projects in Hispanic Studies follow the guidelines listed in the Modern Language
Association Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, by Joseph Gibaldi. Copies are on
reserve in the Swem library and are available for purchase at the College of William and
Mary Barnes and Noble Bookstore. There is also a section on MLA style in your copy of
A Writer’s Reference.
Student Obligations
1. Throughout the semester we will engage the readings in class discussion and related
writing exercises. In class you will be expected to participate and, at times, to lead
group activities. Remember: The participation grade takes into account one’s
attendance, level of preparation and participation in class activities. Following any
five absences, the professor will contact the Dean of Students to recommend
withdrawal from the course.
2. You must complete all assignments on time. You will not receive credit for
assignments handed in late although the professor may offer feedback. Only those
with an absence excused by the Dean of Students or previously approved by the
professor will be granted make-up assignments.
3. At different points during the semester, you will participate in web-based activities
and keep a series of journal entries. This segment of the course will be designed to
inform and pose questions to the class at large, as well as generate ideas for possible
collaborations and make connections with issues of concern to our course.
4. When preparing an assignment, be sure to look for the rubrics used in evaluating your
assignments under the “Course Documents” section on blackboard. To complete an
assignment successfully, make sure that you address all points listed in the rubric.
5. Because this course is designed to help you improve your writing skills, we will
engage the peer review process at various points. Given that the editing process
involves as much skill and care as the writing process, a grade shall be assigned to
reflect each reviewer’s accuracy and thoroughness.
NOTE: If you have specific learning needs, please meet with me during the first week of
class.
Grade Distribution
Your grade is based on the following categories:
Participation
10%
(based on attendance, participation, and level of preparation)
Journal reflections (4 submissions of bi-weekly reflections during semester)
and Blogs (4 posted on blackboard)
10%
Peer Review Evaluations
10%
Essays (2-3 pages in length) (3 @ 10%)
30%
Collaborative Outreach Projects (includes one grant proposal)
20%
Final Research Project (8-10 pages) with Glossary and Bibliography
20%
Honor Code of the College of William and Mary
“Honor and integrity are fundamental attributes of our community. We are privileged to
live with an honor system, created and administered by students, because it inspires us to
achieve our maximum potential without interference from others. Dishonest conduct
violates the trust that exists at the college. Therefore, it is imperative that we accept no
compromise and allow no action by any student to weaken the community of trust.”
If you would like more information about the Honor Code or to read the pledge, consult
the following web site: http://www.wm.edu/SO/honor-council/code.html. Please see me
regarding any questions you might have.
Sustainability at W&M
I support sustainability initiatives on the WM campus. To reduce paper use, most of your
course documents (including the syllabus, readings, and most assignments) will be
provided on the course Blackboard page. Please try to save paper by reading these
documents online whenever possible. If you decide to print any documents, please
consider using a double-sided feature and/or with two sheets per page. I also encourage
you to turn in your assignments electronically. For more information, please see the
Sustainability at W&M website: http://www.wm.edu/sustainability
When submitting assignments electronically, please help me find your work. Be sure to
use your last name, course and date as the title for all documents:
yourlastname.HISP150W.MMDDYY.doc (for example: Root.HISP150W.8.25.09.doc)
Assignments should be 12 point font in Times New Roman with 1-inch margins on all
sides.
PROGRAM
AGOSTO
28
Introductions, Connections, Intersections...
Tasks to complete
Read the syllabus, preview the External
Links section, and read “What is Hispanic
Studies?” by Catherine Davies (all on
blackboard).
SEPTIEMBRE
1
Issues, Practices, Possibilities...
Please
see
blackboard
for
the
What influences or issues have impacted “Introduction” to The Latin American
dress, body and culture in the Americas?
Reader. Read carefully the selections from
the poetry and art of Cecilia Vicuña, with
Cecilia Vicuña,
particular attention to detail in the poem
Cloud-Net
“Sweatshop”.
3
Representations of Women and Work
Selections from The Object of Labor: Art,
Cloth and Cultural Production, eds. Joan
Livingstone and John Ploof: (1.) Alan
Howard, “Labor, History, and Sweatshops
in the New Global Economy” and (2.)
Helen Haejin Cho, “Machine Dreams”.
8
Christina Fernández,
Manuela S-t-i-t-c-h-e-d series
View film prior to coming to class. See
related websites posted on blackboard.
Dir. Patricia Cardoso,
Real Women Have Curves
First set of journal reflections due (at
least two one-page entries).
10
Josefina López,
Real Women Have Curves
Read part one of the play.
Blog #1: Feature of a Hispanic Studies
senior. Please post by September 14.
15
Real Women Have Curves
Read part two of the play.
Essay #1: Write an argumentative essay
that analyzes in detail the representation
of gender, community or sweatshop
labor in one of the following words:
“Sweatshop” by Cecilia Vicuña or
Josefina López’s Real Women Have
Curves.
17
What is Social Responsibility?
Read chapters 1 and 2 of Social
Human Rights, Sustainability and the Responsibility in the Global Apparel
Responsibility of Companies
Industry. See related links and materials on
blackboard.
22
Cultural,
Economic
and
Political Read chapter 3 and 4 (97-107) of Social
Dimensions of Social Responsibility
Responsibility in the Global Apparel
Industry. See related links and materials
on blackboard.
24
Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar
Made in L. A.
View film prior to class. Read chapter 5 of
Social Responsibility in the Global Apparel
Industry. See related links and materials on
blackboard.
Essay #2: An Intervention. Write an
argumentative essay that could be
published as an opinion piece in a
newspaper of your choice. Analyze in
detail the representation of one scene
from Made in L.A., especially as it relates
to our textbook, Social Responsibility in
the Global Apparel Industry.
29
Focus on Research Methods:
Swem Library
Presentation by Martha Higgins
OCTUBRE
Read chapter 7 (232-233) of Social
Responsibility in the Global Apparel
Industry and study the Worker’s Rights
Consortium website:
http://www.workersrights.org/
1
Environmental Responsibility and
Sustainability
6
Ethical Fashion as Supply Chain
Guest Presentation:
Dr. Tonya Boone
of the Mason School of Business
Read chapters 8 and 9 of Social
Responsibility in the Global Apparel
Industry.
View The Corporation (directors Mark
Achbar, Jennifer Abbott & Joel Bakan)
prior to coming to class. See blackboard
for additional readings.
Second set of journal reflections due (at
least six one-page entries).
8
Ethical Fashion as Outreach
Read Doris Sommer’s article on “Art and
Accountability” and “Instructions for the
Use of Brinco Shoes”.
Blog #2: What is the status of ethical
fashion at W&M? Some preliminary
findings.... Some ideas for educational
outreach...
10-13
FALL BREAK
15
Collaborative discussion
With Dr. Jennifer Bickham Méndez
and her students
On Globalization and Gender
Excerpts From the Revolution to the
Maquiladoras and other select readings
will be posted on blackboard.
You are invited to a special presentation...
2:00-3:20
A Hispanic Studies panel
featuring service-learning opportunities,
faculty-student research, study abroad.
201 Washington Hall
20
Carlos Fuentes,
The Crystal Frontier
Read “Malintzin of the Maquilas”.
Blog #3: Identify a problem related to
the topic of this course and describe in
specific terms an idea for an educational
outreach project that would address this
problem.
22
Directors Vicky Funari,
Sergio de la Torre
and Grupo Factor X,
Maquilópolis
View film prior to class. Bring to class two
copies (typed, double-spaced) of your first
paragraph for Essay #3. Put your thesis
sentence in italics.
Essay #3 must be sent to your peer
reviewer by October 24.
27
Maquilópolis continued...
Read selections from Ethel C. Brooks’
Unraveling
the
Garment
Industry:
Transnational Organizing and Women’s
Work.
Essay #3 peer review statements due.
29
Dir. Mónica Veiga,
Ropa Americana
View film prior to class.
Hand in
preliminary
proposal
of
the
collaborative outreach projects.
Briefs on the Collaborative projects
Final version of Essay #3 due.
NOVIEMBRE
3
Ethical Issues in Fashion
• Design and Cultural Identity
Partner: Raíz Diseño
See blackboard for readings. Bring to class
your analysis of the representation of
ethical fashion practices on the Raíz Diseño
website.
5
• Sustainability
See blackboard for readings.
Interview with Partner: Raíz Diseño
10
• Consumption Practices
Interview with Partner: Phil Zapfl, W&M
Committee on Sustainability
Third set of journal reflections due (at
least six one-page entries).
See blackboard for readings.
12
• Partner:
EDUN Live on Campus, Study sites of these partners on blackboard.
YouthXchange Argentina
Preliminary grant proposal due.
17
Grant Writing Workshop
Read the class proposals posted for your
panel on blackboard.
Bring a typed
paragraph (approximately one to two
paragraphs) that evaluates the proposals
according to the criteria provided. Use a
separate page for each proposal reviewed.
Collaborative outreach projects must be
implemented prior to November 20.
19
Writing Workshop
Focus: Final Research Project
Bring to class two copies (typed and
double-spaced) of three separate pages:
(1.) your abstract for the final research
project; (2.) a bullet point list of questions
informed by Hispanic Studies and
Community Studies that you will answer in
your project; and (3.) the bibliography that
you have consulted or plan to consult for
this project.
24
Presentations
See blackboard for related readings.
Grant proposal due.
Hand in the last installment of journal
entries.
25-29
THANKSGIVING BREAK
DICIEMBRE
1
Presentations
See blackboard for related readings.
Blog #4
3
Presentations and Conclusions
See blackboard for related readings.
The final research project (8-10 pages), along with an accompanying glossary (no more
than 4 pages) and bibliography will be due at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 11, 2009.