Theatre 231b – Costume Construction
Spring 2010
Leah Piehl
310.922.7730 mobile
leahmp@sbcglobal.net
Class Meetings
Monday & Wednesday 8:00 AM – 9:20 AM
Office hours: By appointment only
Course Objectives
 To understand the lines, silhouettes, and details of fashion from
the 17th Century through the present day.
 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.
Required Text
SURVEY OF HISTORIC COSTUME: A History of Western Dress
Phyllis G. Tortora & Keith Eubank
Grading Policy
Students are expected to complete all assignments on the date they are
assigned. There will be no makeup for the quizzes, 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+=6770; 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.
 Quizzes will be given at start of class and will last approximately
10 minutes; If you arrive late you will not be given extra time to
complete a quiz
 No more than 3 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).
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 located in STU 301 and is open 8:30
am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is 213740-0776
Course Assignments
Research Project
Research presentations should enhance and bring additional focus and
information to an area of fashion discussed this semester. You may choose
any topic within fashion/costume history that appeals to you. 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 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? This paper is due within 1 week following your attendance at the
production and should include proof of attendance (ticket stub).
Syllabus and Required Reading
You are expected to read assigned pages prior to meeting for class;
Quizzes will be based upon the assigned reading. Reading assignments are
listed on the day they are due.
Jan. 11
Introduction to Course – Review Syllabus – Meet and Greet –
Research Project Sign-up
BAROQUE AND ROCOCO
Jan. 13
Overview / 17th Century/Costumes for Men
- 249
Jan. 18
pg. 229
No Class
Jan. 20
17th Century / Costumes for Women
pg. 249 -263
Jan. 25
18th Century / Overview / Costumes for Men
- 278
pg. 265
Jan. 27
18th Century / Costumes for Women
279– 293
pg.
THE 19TH CENTURY
Feb. 1
Feb. 3
Feb. 8
Overview / The Directoire Period and the Empire Period
1790 - 1820/Costumes for Women
pg.
- 319
295
The Directoire Period and the Empire Period/Costumes
For Men
pg. 319 - 325
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Feb. 10
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Feb. 15
No Class
Feb. 17
– 340
The Romantic Period 1820 – 1850/Costumes for Women
Feb. 22
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Feb. 24
– 351
The Romantic Period 1820 - 1850/Costumes for Men
Mar. 1
pg.
The Crinoline Period 1850 – 1869/Women and Men
- 376
Mar. 8
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
10
pg. 340
The Crinoline Period 1850 – 1869/Overview
353 – 361
Mar. 3
Mar.
pg. 327
pg.
361
Midterm
Mar. 15
No Class
Mar. 17
No Class
Mar. 22
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Mar. 24
The Bustle Period and the 90’s
- 396
pg. 379
FROM THE TWENTIETH TO THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY
Mar. 29
The Bustle Period and the 90’s
- 409
pg. 396
Mar. 31
1900 – 1920 The Edwardian Period and WWI
- 436
pg. 417
Apr. 5
1900 – 1920 The Edwardian Period and WWI
– 445
pg. 437
Apr. 7
RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
Apr. 12
The 20’s, 30’s and WWII
pg. 447 - 469
Apr. 14
The 20’s, 30’s and WWII
pg. 470 - 491
Apr. 19
1947 – 1960
pg. 495 - 518
Apr. 21
1947 – 1960
pg. 519 – 527
Apr. 26
1960’s & 1970’s
pg. 529 – 550
Apr. 28
1960’s & 1970’s
pg. 551 - 576
FINAL
EXAM
May 5 – 12
TBA