LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are able to:
-Identify basic concepts and theories related to costume research.
-Critically reflect on issues relating to the theory and practice of costume design.
-Identify methodological approaches to research costume and dress, and select methods suitable to answer research questions related to the students' interests or personal perspective.
-Use different tools and methods to collect data and search information from different sources, including from individuals.
-Recognize terminology related to costume studies as an scholarly discipline.
-Consider ethical aspects related to research in the field of costume.
-Present and synthesize findings of their individual research work in oral and written ways.
Credits: 6
Schedule: 21.11.2023 - 15.12.2023
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sofia Pantouvaki
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Prof. Sofia Pantouvaki, email: sofia.pantouvaki[a]aalto.fi
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
Students are introduced to basic theoretical concepts related to costume research, and to tools, methods and approaches for the development of a personal research-oriented enquiry. The course content varies each year to include theoretical approaches to costume and performance from the perspective of different scholars and artists. It may also include introductory sessions to research methods for costume and dress and to different perspectives for the study of costume, such as material culture, collection-based research in archives and museums, visual analysis and semiotics, ethnographic approaches, oral history, and creative practice. The course includes lectures and presentations on special aspects of costume history, theory and practice and in related areas that expand the understanding of costume in inter-disciplinary ways. The students work on a subject of their choice to critically reflect on costume in live or mediated performance and to develop a personal research approach. The course includes student presentations and written essays.
applies in this implementation
The course Costume and Research introduces the international field of costume research through projects, literature and sources, and focuses on qualitative research methods for investigating the creation, production, function and analysis of costume. The course addresses costume in any of its various fields in live or mediated performance (theatre, dance, opera, circus, performance art, film, TV, animation, media), and beyond (e.g. costume in the archive).
The following methods are introduced through hands-on exercises: (i) desk research (literature/projects review); (ii) qualitative interviewing as a method to collect unpublished knowledge and to gain insights on a given topic; and (iii) intertextual analysis of written and visual materials (texts/notes, drawings, photographs). The students select a topic of their choice. Using tools and methods introduced at the course, they prepare a small-scale final project on their topic.
The course starts with a reading pre-assignment and includes three tasks. Each of the first two weeks ends with a task (Tasks 1 and 2). The final project (Task 3) consists of a Flash Talk presentation done during the last week of teaching, and a short final essay, delivered together at the final deadline.
Reading materials are shared during the course. The planned schedule is for 6 credits. Additional credits can be gained through independent work; students interested in gaining additional credits can contact Prof. Sofia Pantouvaki.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Students' development during the course, motivation, attendance and active participation in discussions, independent work and completion of assignments.
applies in this implementation
The evaluation is based on the student's personal development during the course, motivation, attendance and participation in the lectures/discussions, contribution to group work, independent work, and timely completion of assignments. Rigour and depth of engagement in own work and application of the content learnt is important.
Pre-assignment 5%
Attendance, participation, group work and reading assignments 30%
Task 1 10%
Task 2 20%
Task 3 (final) 30%
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Contact teaching 65 hours, independent work 97 hours of total workload.
At least 80% participation in face-to-face teaching is mandatory to complete the course. If, due to absences, the student does not achieve the learning outcomes defined in the course description, the remaining 20% may have to be compensated as determined by the responsible teachers of the course.
All absences must be reported to the teachers in charge. The responsible teachers of the course will specify the necessary compensating assignments.
Study methods changed by decision of Academic Committee for Arts, Design and Architecture on 1st of February 2023.
applies in this implementation
40% contact teaching, 60% independent and group work.
DETAILS
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
4 Quality Education
5 Gender Equality
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequality
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language : English
Teaching Period : 2022-2023 No teaching
2023-2024 Autumn IIEnrollment :
Registration for courses: Sisu. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts
Maximum number of students 10, minimum 2.
applies in this implementation
Reading task before the start of the course and during the first day 21.11.:
Please read actively (making notes) the following texts, available to download from MyCourses:Monks, A., 2010. “Introduction: The Dress Rehearsal”, from: The Actor in Costume. Basingstoke, GB: Palgrave MacMillan, pp.1-12.
Pantouvaki, S., 2010. “Theatrical Costume: Dressing the Role – Dressing the Performer”. In: Endyesthai (To Dress) – Towards a Costume Culture Museum, I. Papantoniou (ed.). Nafplion: Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, pp. 109-117.
Nadoolman Landis, D. (2018), ‘Character and costume in cinema: The Hollywood Costume exhibition’, Studies in Costume & Performance, 3:1, pp. 91–96. [doi: 10.1386/scp.3.1.91_1]
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
Schedule
All Group sessions are mandatory. Short breaks will be included.
Please take into consideration the extent of the independent work and reserve full days for this course.
Week 47
Tuesday 21.11.
9-14:30 Independent work (reading task, pre-assignment).
14:30-17 Introduction to the course. Discussion of pre-assignment. (Group session, 2,5h).
‘Desk’ research: tools for bibliographical search and literature/projects review.
Intro to Task 1.
Wednesday 22.11.
9:15-12 Lecture: Understanding costume, multi-method research. Project examples. (Group session, 3h). Questions on Task 1.
13-17 Independent work on Task 1.
Thursday 23.11.
9:15-12 Guest lecturer: Joanna Weckman, on her work using oral history and other sources as a method for costume research in Finland. (Group session, 3h)
13-15 Independent work on Task 1. Preparation of individual presentations.
15-17 Task 1. Student short presentations. Feedback. (Group session, 2h)
Friday 24.11.
Submission of Task 1 at 9:00 via Microsoft Teams.
9:15-12 Research methods: Qualitative interviewing. (Group session, 3h)
13-15 Qualitative interviewing. Planning an interview (group work). (Group session, 2h)
15-16:30 Group work: Planning an interview. (Group session, 1,5h)
Independent work for following week: reading assignment.
Week 48
[Monday 27.11. Independent work (reading assignment).]
Tuesday 28.11.
9:15-12 Qualitative interviewing: review of the interview plans (tutor’s feedback).
Intro to Task 2. (Group session, 3h)
13-15 Conducting an interview. Meeting with guest costume designer. (Group session, 2h)
15-16:30 Analysing interview materials and transcribing (Task 2). (Group session, 1,5h)
Wednesday 29.11.
9-12 Independent work on interview transcript (Task 2).
13-15 How to use and analyse the empirical material. Content analysis. (Group session, 2h)
15-17 Independent work on interview transcript. (continues)
Thursday 30.11.
9-12 Independent work on interview materials and transcript (Task 2).
13-15 Group work: interview final transcript. (Group session, 2h) (could be online)
15-17 Independent work on interview materials and transcript (Task 2). (continues)
Friday 1.12.
Submission of Task 2 at 9:00 via Microsoft Teams.
10:00-12:00 From materials to argumentation: content analysis and synthesis of research materials.
Intro to Task 3: Essay writing and Flash Talk (Task 3). (Group session, 2h)
13-17 Independent work: content analysis of interview materials (Task 3).
Week 50
[Monday 11.12. Independent work (prepare draft Essay structure).]
Tuesday 12.12.
9-15 Independent work. Preparation of Flash Talk and final Essay (Task 3).
15-17 Student short presentations of Essay structure (skeleton). (Group session, 2h)
Tips and guidelines for final Essay.
Wednesday 13.12.
9-17 Independent work on the final project: Flash Talk and Essay (Task 3).
If needed, individual consultation with the tutor is possible. (30’min tutorials)
Slots: 9-9.30, 9.45-10.15, 10.30-11, 11.15-11.45, 12-12.30.
Thursday 14.12.
9-12 Independent work on the final project: Flash Talk and draft of Essay (Task 3).
If needed, individual consultation with the tutor is possible. (30’min tutorials)
Slots: 9-9.30, 9.45-10.15, 10.30-11.
13-17 Student presentations (Flash Talks) and feedback. (Group session, 4h)
Q&A for final Essay.
Friday 15.12.
9-17 Independent work (Task 3).
NOTE: The schedule has been organized in such a way that there are extra days to work on the final assignment (Task 3) during the start of week 51. This enables attending the ELO Autumn film screening on Friday 15.12.
Week 51
Wednesday 20.12.
Submission of Task 3 (Flash Talk and final Essay) by 12 (noon) via Microsoft Teams. [Final deadline and the tutor will review the work for feedback.]
Thursday 21.12.
9:30-12 Feedback to Task 3 and to the course via Zoom. (Group session, ONLINE, 2,5h)
- Teacher: Pantouvaki Sofia