Coopersmith Career Consulting | Evaluated Learning Experience
Jewish Clothing in History, Society, and Thought (SOC-305)
Varies (self-study; self-paced).
April 2019 - Present.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: trace the historical development of Jewish dress from its sources to current practice; identify historical articles of clothing for their significance in the wearer’s life and in historical context; counsel someone who is interested in assembling authentic style accoutrements of a Jewish wardrobe for a specific ethnic group from a certain time; identify symbolism used on Jewish clothing and its significance; explain how external decrees helped shape the Jewish wardrobe historically and continue to leave lingering effects today; describe the standards of modesty suggested by current Orthodox Jewish authorities and the reasons behind them; define what Orthodox Jews mean by “Jewish” clothing and how it relates to clothing worn by Jews throughout history; and connect clothing practices across different Jewish cultures to shared underlying concepts.
This course provides students with an understanding of the development and identity of clothing of the Jewish people, beginning with the Biblical commands that involve clothing and many of the references to dress in the Bible and what they signify. Major topics include: the history of clothing used by Jews for special life-cycle events along with social explanations for these practices, the history of governmental decrees on Jewish apparel, both for Jews living under the Muslims and the Christians, the history of uniquely Jewish fashion, split between the Sephardic and the Ashkenazic lands. Instructional methods include: study guide, required readings, and a final exam.
In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Sociology or Judaic Studies (4/19).
