Unraveling Threads: the Story of Textiles

Course Description

Summary

From the silk roads of China to the cotton mills of the Industrial Revolution, textiles have functioned as the primary currency of human civilization. This seminar examines how "the fiber of our lives" served as the engine for global trade, colonialism, and technological innovation.

Through weekly readings and seminar discussions, we will unpack the social and political histories woven into various fabrics. We’ll explore how the quest for indigo shaped the landscape of the Americas, how the "Spinning Jenny" reconfigured the concept of time and labor, and how traditional weaving practices have functioned as acts of resistance. 

Each week, we will pair texts with material analysis, asking: How does the tactile nature of cloth influence our understanding of history? Reflecting on our an age of fast fashion and what do we owe the invisible hands that continue to clothe the world?

Students work will culminate in the "Stitching Stories" project. A textile journal compiled from clippings, fibres, swatches and written "material biographies" of fabric. 

Please note there will be a small course fee associated with this class