The Visible Self

Synopsis

Everywhere around the world, people make daily decisions about what to wear or how to dress. The Visible Self, 3rd edition, presents a systematic approach to analyzing these daily rituals that we all share-not simply the act of putting on clothing, but also cleansing the body and adorning it. Using Western and non-Western examples, the authors take a three-pronged approach to understanding dress across cultures, uncovering its relationship to human beings as biological, aesthetic, and social animals. Readings collected from classic books and academic journals enable students to appreciate the complexity of dress from a multi-disciplinary perspective that includes anthropology, sociology, economics, fine arts, and the natural sciences.New to this Edition- Updated examples and current approaches to theoretical orientations, such as new work on the scale of world cultures, genetics, race, and globalization.- Revised and expanded art program, including 8-page color insert.- Introductory material links each reading to chapter concepts.- Expanded end-of-chapter pedagogy will increase utilization of the images & readings.- Instructor's Guide provides suggestions for planning the course and using the text in the classroom