The following are study-guide essay questions to guide you in your preparation for the midterm. One of these questions may very well appear on the exam exactly as it is phrased here or in slightly revised form. The essay question will require you to address two authors chosen from a list of four or more. The essay will be worth 75 points.
Note: In the questions below, authors separated by a slash will count as just one example; you can discuss one or more of those authors, but, either way, that counts as just one of your two examples.
In thinking through possible answers for these questions in preparation for the midterm, pay particular attention to formulating a clear, interesting, and arguable thesis statement. For more information about thesis statements, see the guidelines for response papers. Please keep in mind that, just as with response papers, the most compelling arguments evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, or significance of the evidence or logic of the authors cited as the means for developing and supporting your own interpretation.
1. How do fashion and consumption create a language in which people attempt to say something about themselves? How is that language related to class, race, gender, ethnicity, or sexuality? In your answer, discuss the viewpoints of two of the following: Miller/Fiske/Wilson/Schor/Moon, Barthes/Hebdige/McCracken, Veblen, Bourdieu, and Woodward/Pham (on superbloggers).
2. Over the past several decades, there has been an increased focus on agency in anthropology. With reference to two authors chosen from the list below, how should we define agency and analyze its role with respect to fashion? Authors: Miller/Fiske/Wilson/Schor, Barthes/Hebdige/McCracken, Veblen, Bourdieu, and Woodward/Pham (on superbloggers).
3. How is the identity of the consumer reflected in the objects that are consumed? How do two of the authors or cases we have read discuss consumption as a way to portray a particular identity or to navigate multiple identities? Choose from the following: Miller/Fiske/Nava/Friedan/Bordo/Pham (on 9/11)/Wilson/Schor, Barthes/Hebdige/McCracken, Veblen, Bourdieu, and Woodward/Pham (on superbloggers) (Note: if you discuss both Pham articles, then you need to discuss an additional author).
4. Duckboots. Skinny jeans. Rompers. Moto jackets. Tie-dye (at least according to elle.com). Why do certain fashion items become popular trends at particular moments in time? What do fashion trends allow us to learn about broader social or cultural dynamics? Picking one recent trend, discuss how TWO of the authors listed below would analyze the reasons why that item or style has become trendy. Compare the strengths and weaknesses of each author's argument in order to develop your own analysis of why fashion trends happen and what they mean. Choose from the following: Miller/Fiske/Nava/Friedan/Moon/Pham (on 9/11), Barthes/Hebdige/McCracken, Veblen, Bourdieu, and Woodward/Pham (on superbloggers) (Note: if you discuss both Pham articles, then you need to discuss an additional author).
5. Why are women closely associated with fashion? What are the effects of this association? In your answer, discuss the viewpoints of two of the following: Miller/Fiske/Nava/Friedan/Bordo/Pham (on 9/11)/Wilson/Schor, Barthes/Hebdige/McCracken, Veblen, Bourdieu, and Woodward/Pham (on superbloggers) (Note: if you discuss both Pham articles, then you need to discuss an additional author).
6. So far this semester, we've studied sociological/anthropological versus semiotic approaches to the study of dress. What are the advantages and disadvantages to each approach? What models do you think scholars should use to explore the significance of fashion and consumption? Discuss using two of the following authors: Veblen, Barthes/McCracken/Hebdige, Bourdieu, Woodward.
7. You are most likely familiar with the saying, "You are what you eat." Can we also say, "You are what you wear"? If so, how, in what ways, and with what significance? What issues of agency and constraint affect how we can use clothing to express identity? Discuss using two of the following authors: Veblen, Miller/Fiske/Wilson, Barthes/Hebdige/McCracken, Bourdieu, Woodward/Pham (on superbloggers).