Courses
150 APPAREL STRUCTURE AND DESIGN I (3)
Fundamentals of apparel assembly with emphasis on construction techniques, fit, and quality
analysis of the finished product. Introduction to apparel terminology.
151 APPAREL STRUCTURE AND DESIGN II (3)
In-depth study of the process and product of creative design in clothing, application of
advanced techniques of apparel assembly, and development of basic slopers.
Prerequisite: Apparel design and Merchandising 150 or consent of the
instructor
170 INTRODUCTION TO THE FASHION WORLD (3)
Overview of the fashion business structure. Topics include the origin of apparel design
through manu¬facturing, marketing, merchandising, and retailing process. Career opportunities are
highlighted.
$35 course fee.
200 CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES IN DRESS (3)
Analysis of dress as an expression of beliefs and values, material artifact, and normative
behavior in selected world cultures with emphasis on case studies focused on non-Western
traditions, aesthetics, politics, religions, and ritual usage of clothing and textiles.
With an intensification option, this course will contribute to the Black World Studies major.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
This course will satisfy the multicultural core area requirement.
207 SURFACE DESIGN OF FABRICS I (3)
Survey of topics and hands-on processes for fabric coloration, manipulation, and
embellishment, with emphasis on application to apparel design. Various techniques considered within
cultural context. Prerequisite: Apparel design major or consent of instructor
$50 course fee.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.
209 SURFACE DESIGN OF FABRICS II (3)
In-depth study of selected topics and hands-on processes for fabric coloration, manipulation,
and embellishment, with emphasis on learning specific techniques from historical garments and
within cultural context.
Prerequisite: Apparel design major or consent of instructor
$50 course fee
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.
211 MARATHON SURFACE DESIGN (3)
Intensive hands-on study of specific coloration and embellishment of fabric.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
$50 course fee.
256 TEXTILE SCIENCE (3)
Survey of textile fibers, fabrics, and finishes with appli¬cation to appearance, performance,
and maintenance of apparel products.
271 RETAIL PROMOTION AND VISUAL MERCHANDISING (3)
Promotional strategies used in merchandising. Topics include identifying target markets and
interpreting consumer demand, visual merchandising and store design, and advertising strategies for
retail. Students receive experience in merchandising windows at the university and area retailers.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 170 or consent of the
instructor
281 MULTICHANNEL RETAILING (3)
Exploring the underlying principles of multichannel retailing and their relationship with
brick-and-mortar stores, electronic retailing, and direct marketing methods. Emphasis on
understanding consumer needs and implementing appropriate technologies.
290 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF DRESS (3)
This course explores selected topics from the cross-disciplinary literature on dress (defined
as presentation of self), including controversial questions about body image and apparel choices
across diverse populations of women and men.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
320 FLAT PATTERN DESIGN AND DRAPING (3)
Theory and fundamentals of flat pattern drafting and draping.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 151
322 APPAREL DESIGN I (3)
Utilization of the creative process and knowledge of pattern making and clothing construction
to develop original clothing designs. Emphasis on concept development, fabrication, and aesthetics.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 320
360 HISTORY OF DRESS I (3)
Survey of European and North American dress from ancient civilizations through the 17th
century, with emphasis on dress as an expression of social, cultural, economic, aesthetic,
religious, and technological change in the Western world.
With an intensification option, this course will con¬tribute to the
Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.
361 HISTORY OF DRESS II (3)
Survey of European and North American dress from the 18th century to the present, with
emphasis on dress as an expression of social, cultural, economic, aesthetic, religious, and
technological change in the Western world. Includes work of major fashion designers.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.
362 DRESS AS MATERIAL CULTURE (3)
Survey of historical dress from 18th century to the present, with emphasis on object-based
analysis of period textiles, garments, and other primary sources used to interpret dress from a
cultural perspective within the Western world. Includes hands-on work with conservation of
historical garments.
This course will satisfy the fine arts core area requirement.
365 FASHION ILLUSTRATION (3)
Problems and exercises intended to stimulate design perception and creativity in sketching
and rendering used by the fashion designer.
Prerequisite: Art 201, 202, or 203 or consent of the instructor
366 COUTURE TAILORING (3)
The principles and application of advanced techniques used in couture custom tailoring.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 151 or consent of the
instructor
368 ADVANCED APPAREL DESIGN (3)
Advanced study of apparel design using flat pattern and draping techniques; investigation
into patterning and designing for knitwear. Emphasis on problem solving and industry standards.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 322
370 ANALYSIS OF READY-TO-WEAR APPAREL (3)
An examination of the product development process and the interrelationship of allied
industries, with perspectives on consumer, manufacturer, retailer, and the international market.
Emphasis on understanding the industry through global social responsibility.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 170
371 RETAIL BUYING (3)
Application of effective strategies in retail buying; includes budgeting, merchandise
planning, and inven¬tory management. Computerized spreadsheets are used to perform related
merchandising math operations.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 130 or above
380 COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (3)
Design of apparel through the use of computer using PAD Systems technology, with emphasis on
pattern¬making, grading, marking, and 3-D applications.
Prerequisite: Apparel Design and Merchandising 320
440 SPECIALTY MARKETS (3)
Research of social, economic, and demographic aspects of target market instrumental in the
develop¬ment of a consumer line. This project-based class encompasses the design and construction
of a specialty market line including (but not limited to) lingerie, menswear, children’s wear,
petite, and plus-sized clothing.
Prerequisites: Apparel Design and Merchandising 320 and junior standing
442 FASHION MARKETS (3)
Research of social, economic, and demographic aspects of target market instrumental in the
development of a retail outlet. This project-based class includes creating and planning a retail
store from concept to implementation. By the end of this course, the student will have written a
complete business plan.
Prerequisites: Apparel Design and Merchandising 371 or consent of
instructor, and junior standing
445 SENIOR COLLECTION (3)
Fashion forecasting; development of a cohesive collec¬tion of original designs.
Prerequisites: Apparel Design and Merchandising 322 and senior standing
446 APPAREL DESIGN AND MERCHANDISING SEMINAR (3)
Developing the major production of the department; study of professional practices and
management in the business of apparel design and merchandising; prepa¬ration and presentation of
comprehensive portfolio.
Prerequisite: Senior standing
450 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-4)
Content and credit tailored to the individual needs of the student.
455 INTERNSHIP (2-8)
Training in a business establishment for a designated number of hours a week under the
supervision of faculty member and the manager of the business establishment.
Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing
INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative
Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty mentors on an ongoing faculty
research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This
directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation,
journal article, or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.