Print this page A History of the World in 20 Hats

Hats have long been symbols of power, identity and cultural change. This course tells global history through twenty iconic pieces of headwear, from emperors and revolutionaries to film heroes and fashion icons. Exploring politics, class and self-expression, we uncover how something as everyday as a hat can reveal surprising stories about the societies that created and wore them.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE RESOURCES

• David long, The Hats That Made Britain, Yes, 2020
• Design Museum, Fifty Hats That Changed the World, Conran Octopus, 2011

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Crowns and royal headwear, symbols of power, ancient, mediaeval and modern, Egyptian and Roman empires, mediaeval England and the Holy Roman Empire and the crown jewels of the UK
2. Iconic hats and their iconic wearers, Che Guevara, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Napoleon, Jackie Kennedy
3. Historical connotations of the dunce's cap, the bowler hat, the cloth flat cap, hoods of all descriptions and helmets (horned and otherwise)
4. Iconic hats in literature and film, Indiana Jones, The Mad Hatter, Sherlock Homes

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Gain an understanding of the rich variety of hats and caps across a broad spectrum of historical contexts and cultures
2. Discuss ways in which an item of clothing can become part of an iconic image or define key characteristics of a person over time