|Arts and Letter ||Dark Blue or Black Above is a partial list of
hood and tassel colors established by the American Council on
Education to represent various fields of learning. Distinctive
academic dress can be traced back to the universities of the
Middle Ages. In the early centuries of its existence, the
costume was worn as daily garb, and the several parts had
practical uses. In more recent centuries, its use in complete
form has been reserved for special ceremonial occasions. Of the
costume’s three components, the hood is the most interesting.
Originally it had three uses: as a head covering, as a shoulder
cape, and as a bag in which alms could be collected. It is
mentioned as early as 1480 in clerical literature. When large
wigs were in vogue in England, the cape part of the hood was
split in front and a narrow neckband inserted. The entire cape
and hood were allowed to fall back as they do today, and the
hood was never restored to its original style. Black academic
robes are appropriate to all degrees