Examines fashion as a manifestation of political and social power. Beginning in the 16th century and spanning the globe, the course explores how clothing and fashion have been produced, consumed, and deployed as tools of domination, imperialism, and profit--and also of self-expression, subversion and resistance. Students will analyze fashion in relation to identity (racial, religious, gender, class, cultural); social and political status; national and global hierarchies of power; and the assertion of human and cultural rights. Fulfills general education requirement in impact of diversity. [ 3 credits ]