DHE 399: DRESS, MUSEUMS, AND POPULAR CULTURE

SYLLABUS1
SUMMER SESSION 2013 (SESSION 4)
Class Location and Time: Milam 333, Tuesday/Thursday, 2:00 3:50 p.m.
Instructors:
Name
Dr. Genna Reeves-DeArmond
Dr. Jennifer Mower
Office
Milam 217
Milam 217
Office Phone 541-737-3990
541-737-3990
Number
Email*
gennareeves@yahoo.com
Jennifer.Mower@bus.oregonstate.edu
Skype
gfreevesdearmond
Jennifer.mower1
Office Hours Tuesday, 10am-1pm;
Tuesday, 12-1pm; Thursday, 4-5pm
Wednesday, 4:00 5:00 pm;
Thursday, 4-5pm
*Email is the best way to contact both instructors. We check our email regularly but you should allow up to 24 hours
for a response. Unless the email is person-specific, please include both instructors on your email.
*When emailing, please use your ONID account as much as possible and use the email subject line to identify the
class (put DHE 399 in the Subject line and a brief description of your message topic). We teach multiple courses
and regularly delete messages from sources we dont recognize.

COURSE INFORMATION
Course Catalog Description: Introduction to the visual culture and cultural significance of dress in the Western
Museum, including how dress displays communicate information about a historical event and culture. Exploration
and evaluation of issues bearing on the practice of public and popular history, specifically within museums and other
exhibitionary contents related to dress. Analysis of past and current curatorial and visitor engagement practices used
by museums that display historic and cultural dress.
Learning Outcomes/Competencies: At the conclusion of this course, via a variety of learning activities, the intention
is for you to demonstrate the following outcomes; you will be able to:
1) Identify and describe how dress displays communicate information about a historical event and culture.
2) Discuss and evaluate current events related to dress displays, museums, and popular culture.
3) Identify successful and unsuccessful elements/strategies in museum exhibit planning.
4) Demonstrate ability to logically support an argument via group discussions and debates.
5) Conduct group work for designing, planning, and executing a popular culture-focused dress exhibit through
practical application of course concepts.
6) Critically analyze the construction of values and meanings within dress displays.

This course syllabus functions as the contract between you and the instructors. It is your responsibility to read the syllabus and
to ask the instructor if you have any questions on information contained in this syllabus. You will be held responsible for all
information contained in this syllabus.

LEARNING RESOURCES FOR THE COURSE

There are no textbooks for this course. All required readings will be provided via a Dropbox link on Blackboard. They
can be located in the Dropbox under the titles listed in the syllabus. You will be responsible for downloading and
printing out the readings and bringing them to class on the necessary days. Please print hard copies of the readings
and bring them to class. A list of supplementary readings will also be available.
Visit this link to see where you can print on campus and the cost at each location:
http://oregonstate.edu/is/mediaservices/scf/printing-rates?destination=node/473
*There are also some areas on campus that offer free printing.

COURSE CONTENT AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly Announcements: Weekly announcements regarding due dates will be made in class and posted to
Blackboard. The instructors will send an email of announcements at the start of each week to your ONID email
account. You are responsible for checking your email often in this course.
Lecture/Class Discussion: Lectures are provided 1 to 2 times each week in class. Class discussion will be conducted at
least 1 time each week and will be based upon the assigned readings and relevant concepts. Students are expected
to complete the readings prior to each class session to assist in the facilitation of a quality discussion. All students are
expected to participate throughout the term.
Readings: Required reading should be completed prior to the date of the lecture topic. You are responsible for all
assigned readings.
Reflect-and-Respond Letters: Students will write a 1-page response paper related to one reading each week (think
of it as a journal entry) and then correspond with each other about concepts and content of the readings by
responding to another students paper. Each week, you will write a response paper and submit two copies one with
your name on it and one without your name on it. The copy that does not contain your name will be given to another
student who will respond to your paper and you will receive another students (anonymous) paper to which you will
write a 1-page response. Eight response papers will be due throughout the term four original responses and four
responses to another students paper. You will receive a separate handout detailing the Write-and-Response
Letters assignment.
Learning Activities: In-class activities and assignments will be used on a regular basis to supplement the material
being presented in class and allow students to use different learning styles. In-class activities will often include
discussions about the readings to help students learn how to apply the concepts being presented and discussed.
Students who are absent for these activities will not be given the option to make them up; this is an expedited course
and these activities are meant to supplement the material presented in class that day. Some in-class activities may
require a small amount of work outside of class and, once completed, will be due the next class session.
Term Project: Curate a Popular Culture Dress Exhibit: The whole class will work together as a team, separated into
smaller committees, to prepare a dress exhibit that depicts the popular culture of an agreed-upon decade from the
20th century. The exhibit will be comprised of objects personally owned by students and the personal historical dress
2

collections of the instructors. The exhibit will be mounted during the final day of class. This project is designed to give
you experience in (1) identifying the characteristics of apparel within a time period, (2) developing a process to
identify appropriate artifacts as representative of a time period and its popular culture, (3) developing
interpretations and text for artifacts in a display/exhibit setting; and (4) implementing a dress display for public
viewing. You will receive a separate handout detailing the project assignment.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Communication with Instructors: Because there are two instructors (Genna and Jenny) for this course, we will be
sharing the responsibility of presenting course material, grading, and overseeing the project. We will be staying in
close contact regarding all issues related to the course, including student performance. In most cases we would
prefer to meet with you together, but understand if you prefer to meet on a one-on-one basis or if your schedule
only allows for this. We will handle such situations on an individual basis. Please note the times when we are
available for office hours together on page 1 of the syllabus.
Attendance: This is a 4-week expedited special topics course and a course that involves interactive learning exercises,
so it is important to be in class. Attendance will not be taken, but will be noted via in-class activities. Students are
expected to be present at all scheduled classes and presentations.
--You are responsible for information presented in class, whether you are present or not. The instructors will
not provide lecture notes for material missed due to absence; these materials must be obtained from
classmates.
Due Dates and Times for Assignments/Late Work: Please note due dates for all assignments in the syllabus and on
Blackboard. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned date. Because the schedule listed in the
syllabus is tentative, the instructors reserve the right to amend due dates as stated in the syllabus and alert students
of such changes in a timely manner.
Late Work Policy: Let's be clear, life happens and even the best of students might occasionally have to be absent
and/or submit a late assignment. It's not the end of the world! However, it is not professional behavior either. Thus,
it needs to be avoided whenever possible. Because part of our job is to help you develop as a professional, the
consequence of late work is no credit. If you have special circumstances arise, please let us know and we will do our
best to work with you.
In-class assignments are due at the end of the class period in which they are assigned/being worked on, unless
otherwise noted. The late work policy applies to in-class assignments that are submitted after the end of the class
period in which it was due even if you were present and completed it on time. (It is your responsibility to submit inclass activities prior to departing each class session.)
Assignment Submission: Unless otherwise noted, assignments are due during designated class periods. Assignments
submitted outside of a class period or late assignments submitted after the due date must be submitted in one of the
following ways:
1) Handed to Genna or Jenny in person, either during office hours or before/after class.
2) To Genna and Jennys office.

3) To Gennas box in Milam 228 (her box is labeled Reeves). Milam 228 is the SDHE Main Office.
Please have the DHE office manager, German Rodriguez date and initial late assignments so that the
instructor knows exactly when it was submitted to her box.

Make-Up Assignments: The option to complete an assignment early or make up an assignment will be at the
discretion of the instructor; that is, this option is not guaranteed.
A student who is absent from class due to illness or family emergency should notify the instructors as soon as
possible (by email). If at all possible notify the instructor prior to class. Notifying the instructors and discussing
missed work is the responsibility of the student. If you foresee a problem in submitting an assignment, please let
us know before the assignment is due so that we may work something out.
To be given the opportunity to make up assignments, a student must submit either a physicians note for illness or a
note from a university authority documenting participation in a university activity.
Students who are absent for in-class activities will not be allowed a make-up, as they are meant to supplement the
information presented in class that day.
If the student fails to make arrangements for missed assignments with the instructor within two days of the absence
and/or return to class, the student will receive a zero for that assignment. (You do not have the entire term to make
up an assignment that you were excused for; this is a limited time offer.)

EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Student performance will be evaluated (via a weighted grade system) through various activities, which include:
Write-and-Respond Letters: 20%
Learning Activities: 20%
Participation: 20%
Term Project: 40%
Total: 100%
Plus/minus grading will be used in this course. The instructor is responsible for determining and assigning final course
grades. Graded assignments used as a basis for evaluating a students achievement will be available to the student
for inspection and discussion. Remember: Grades are earned! The following grading scale will be used to calculate
your grade:
A
AB+
B
BC+

93 100%
90 92%
87 89%
83 86%
80 82%
77 79%

C
CD+
D
DF

73 76%
70 72%
67 69%
63 66%
60 62%
Below 60%

Grading Policies:
**Each percentage value goes up to .9 (for example, a B+ goes up to an 89.9) for the final grade calculation. Students
do not automatically get the benefit of rounding.
**Grades will be entered and available for viewing in the Blackboard Grade Center as often as possible.
**Please monitor your grades on Blackboard and keep all materials related to the course. Let me know if there is a
discrepancy between your posted grades and what is on your paper. You are strongly encouraged to check your
grades on Blackboard every week.

LEARNING SUPPORT
Instructor Assistance with Succeeding in this Course: If you are having difficulty with this class or have any questions
please do not hesitate to contact either instructor, as we/one of us are happy to make an appointment to meet with
you. We understand that not all students are from the School of Design and Human Environment and may even be
new to this material in the context of academic study. If you feel that you require additional assistance in
understanding concepts or how they are applied, please let Genna or Jennifer know as soon as possible.
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities: Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students,
faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible
for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss
accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained
approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098.
Supplemental Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities and/or Emergency Medical Conditions: Students
with documented disabilities who need accommodations, who have any emergency medical information that the
instructor should be aware of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation should make an
appointment with the instructor as early as possible, and no later than the first week of the term, in order to ensure
equal access to success in this course.
Other Accommodations: Students who have family responsibilities and those for whom English is not a primary
language are especially invited to make the instructor aware of their status at the beginning of the term. If an
emergency situation presents itself during the term, please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that we can
work together to ensure that you have every opportunity to succeed.

COURSE POLICIES
Classroom Conduct Rules and Expectations:
1. Plan to arrive to class on time and to stay for the entire class period (or until dismissed) because random
arrivals and exits are disrespectful and distracting.

2. All cell phones and other electronic devices (e.g., pagers, iPods, iPads) must be turned off (or on vibrate) and
hidden from view during class time. If you are expecting an important phone call, please alert the instructor
before class.
3. There is NO use of any electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, iPads, smartphones, laptops, etc.) allowed during
class.
4. Laptop computers are allowed for (quiet) note taking only: i.e., other activities such as checking personal email or browsing the Internet are prohibited.
5. Students are responsible for what transpired if they miss a class. It is the students responsibility to contact a
classmate to determine what was missed.
6. Talking and other disruptive behaviors are not permitted while classes are in session.
7. Be polite and respectful towards others, instructor and other students. That includes verbal and physical
behavior as well as language used in email and phone messages.
Learning Environment: In an academic community, students and faculty, and staff each have responsibility for
maintaining an appropriate learning environment, whether online or in the classroom. Students, faculty, and staff
have the responsibility to treat each other with understanding, dignity and respect. Disruption of teaching,
administration, research, and other institutional activities is prohibited by Oregon Administrative Rule 576-015-0015
(1) and (2) and is subject to sanctions under university policies, OSU Office of Student Conduct.
-This also applies to conduct in the Blackboard online learning environment.
Expectations for Student Conduct: Student conduct is governed by the universitys policies, as explained in the
document titled Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct (click on the underlined text to access the
document). Please review the expectations for Student Conduct, as you are held to this Code of Conduct.
-This also applies to conduct in the Blackboard online learning environment.
Mutual Respect: The goal of Oregon State University is to provide students with the knowledge, skill, and wisdom
they need to contribute to society. Our rules are formulated to guarantee each students freedom to learn and to
protect the fundamental rights of others. People must treat each other with dignity and respect in order for
scholarship to thrive. Behaviors that are disruptive to teaching and learning will not be tolerated and will be referred
to the Student Conduct Program for Disciplinary Action. Any behaviors which create a hostile, intimidating, or
offensive environment whether based on gender, race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, or
sexual orientation will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office.
DHE Diversity Statement: The Department of Design and Human Environment and the instructor strive to create an
affirming climate for all students including underrepresented and marginalized individuals and groups. Diversity
encompasses differences in age, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, physical or mental ability, religion,
socioeconomic background, veteran status, sexual orientation, and marginalized groups. We believe diversity is the
synergy, connection, acceptance, and mutual learning fostered by the interaction of different human characteristics.
Honesty in Academic Work/Academic Integrity: OSU provides clear definition and sanctions for academic
dishonesty. I follow these guidelines in defining and handling dishonest behavior in this class. As a result, academic
dishonesty of any kind is not tolerated. Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work.
Academic dishonesty is defined as an intentional act of deception in one of the following areas: cheating,
plagiarism, fabrication, assisting, and tampering. For suspected academic dishonesty, a meeting with the student
will take place and a formal report to the Chair of the Department, to the students Dean, and to the Student
Conduct Office may follow. Students found cheating, plagiarizing, or participating in any form of academic
6

dishonesty may receive an F or other penalty on the assignment or test, and possibly in the course. If you have
any questions about the definition of academic dishonesty or the extent of sanctions that may result from
dishonest behavior, it is important to access information on the OSU Student Conduct Website at
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/facadis.htm
NOTE: All work, unless otherwise stated, is expected to be individual.

Cheating is the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids or an act of deceit
by which a student attempts to misrepresent mastery of academic effort or information. This includes
unauthorized copying or collaboration on a test or assignment or using prohibited materials and texts.
Plagiarism is representing the word or ideas of another person as one's own OR presenting someone else's
words, ideas, artistry or data as one's own. This includes copying another person's work (including
unpublished material) without appropriate referencing, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as
one's own, or working jointly on a project, then submitting it as one's own.
The following types of actions are all considered plagiarism:
Using the exact words from a written source (i.e., a quotation) but not using quotation marks for
a short quote or indenting a long quotation. Even if you use a text citation if you have not clearly
identified this as a quote; it is plagiarism.
Closely paraphrasing an exact quote. In other words using synonyms for a few words in the
sentence. Even if you use a text citation this is plagiarism.
Paraphrasing an exact quote and not using a citation; this is plagiarism.
If your work has been published and you paraphrase or quote form it without a text citation, this
is also considered plagiarism.
If you are not sure whether to use a text citation it is better to use one; there is no penalty for using text
citations unless they are incorrect.
Other individuals' creative work also must be acknowledged. Using any images created by someone else
without acknowledging that it is theirs is plagiarism. APA requires a full reference on the page on which the
illustration of creative work appears. Put the credit for the source at the end of the figure caption. Use the
following format for figure references:
Journals or Magazines: From "Title of Article/Advertisement," by A.N. author and C.O. Author, year,
Title of Journal, Volume No., p. xx. Copyright [year] by name of Copyright Holder.
Book: From Title of Book (p. xxx), by A. N. Author, year, Place of Publication: Publisher. Copyright
[year] by the Name of Copyright Holder.
Website: From Title of Work, by A. N. Author, year. Retrieved from URL or Web address.
See The Design and Human Environment learning and style guide for a full discussion on plagiarism and how
to avoid it.

Fabrication is falsification or invention of any information (including falsifying research, inventing or

exaggerating data and listing incorrect or fictitious references. falsification or invention of any information.
Assisting is helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty. This includes paying or bribing someone
to acquire a test or assignment, changing someone's grades or academic records, or taking a test/doing an
assignment for someone else (or allowing someone to do these things for you). It is a violation of Oregon
state law to create and offer to sell part or all of an education assignment to another person (ORS 165.114).
Tampering is altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents.

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

Week/Topic

Date/Topic

Due Dates/Notes

Readings (Available via Dropbox)

Week 1: July 23, 25

Tuesday, July 23

Overview of historic
and cultural
fashion/dress,
museums, and popular
culture; Care and
storage of dress and
textile objects; Exhibit
project introduction
and preparation

Museum quality: The rise of the

fashion exhibition

-Review syllabus

*Response Paper 1-B

due Wednesday, July
24 to Gennas mailbox
by 5pm

-Introductions

Optional: Reviewing fashion

exhibitions

-Lecture: Introduction to key course

concepts

Optional: Untouchable: Creating

desire and knowledge in museum
costume and textile exhibitions

-Introduction to exhibit project;

Formation of committees and
introductory exhibit theme planning
Thursday, July 25
-Guest lecture by Dr. Elaine Pedersen:
Care and storage of dress and textile
objects

Museums in an age of paradox

*Response Paper 1-B

due Monday, July 29
to Gennas mailbox by
5pm

-Tour of the DHE Historic and Cultural

Textiles and Apparel Collection
-(If time) Class discussion of museum
exhibit project progress
Week 2: July 30,
August 1
Memorial dress displays
and popular culture;
Incorporating
supporting evidence
and narratives into a
dress display

Tuesday, July 30
-Lecture/case study by Dr. Jennifer
Mower: Oral history and narrative in
dress displays
-In-class discussion of readings
-Curate Your Closet activity
Thursday, August 1
- Lecture by Dr. Genna ReevesDeArmond: Dress as memorial

*Response paper 2-A

due
*Please bring 5
personal photos
depicting 5 different
outfits (your choice!)
on this day.
*Response paper 2-B
due

I loved it dearly: Recalling

personal memories of dress in the
museum
Sentimental value: New exhibit
explores the stories behind used
clothing
Museums and dress as
memorialization

-In-Class discussion of readings

-Creating a Narrative with Holocaust
Photos activity

Week 3: August 6, 8

Tuesday, August 6

Celebrity and
TV/movie-related Dress
displays and tourism

-Class Meeting regarding museum

exhibit project; Receive progress
reports from each committee

*Response paper 3-A

due

Collections on display: Exhibiting

artifacts in a film museum

*Project Committee
Progress Report Due

Up close and personal: The

enduring appeal of wax museums

-Mini-lecture by Dr. Genna ReevesDeArmond: Celebrity and TV/movierelated dress display

Titanics Rose as a living history

interpreter
Optional: Spotlight on Hollywood:
The power of place

-Case study: Titanic museum research

-In-Class discussion and/or debate
Thursday, August 8
-Case study by Dr. Genna ReevesDeArmond: Dark tourism and
memorial dress displays;
murderabilia

*Response paper 3-B

due

-In-class discussion and/or debate

Week 4: August 13, 15

Tuesday, August 13

Dress display in retail

space; Installation and
presentation of
museum exhibit (final
project)

-Mini-lecture: Dress display in retail

space

Response paper 4-A

due

Out of bounds: Remapping

Hollywood as themed experience
(pp. 89-114)
On the tip of creative tongues

-Case studies
-In-class discussion of readings
Thursday, August 15
MUSEUM EXHIBIT Final installation
and opening reception (final project)

*Response paper 4-B

due
**Museum exhibit
installation
**All museum exhibit
materials due

//Syllabus dates and assignments are subject to change//