Introduces the principles and practices of consumer sciences, with an emphasis on how understanding consumers shapes approaches to products, services, and business practices. Helps students identify interests, explore career opportunities, and set academic goals, while examining the integration of faith, vocation, ethics, and personal development through discussions, reflective exercises, and guest presentations. Typically offered: Autumn.

Presents basic techniques necessary for the construction of simple garments. Class is skills-based and designed to develop core competencies needed for the beginning sewer. Students will learn to read and use commercial patterns to create professional-looking apparel.

Explores the professional uses of fashion illustration. Teaches design details and rendering of an elementary fashion figure through lectures and demonstration.

Presents an overview of the history, structure, and operation of the dynamic global fashion industry in regards to fashion marketing, sourcing and production, and retailing and distribution. Examines the various fashion industries and helps students better explore their personal attributes and match their interests with career opportunities in the field.

Study of textiles from raw materials through finishing and dyeing of fabrics as related to durability, comfort, and aesthetics. Survey includes the structure of the textile industry, textile laws and regulations, and textile testing. Provides hands-on experiences in areas such as fiber identification, properties, and structures. (This class was formerly FCS 3830 Textiles.)

Provides foundational understanding for drafting, pattern manipulations, and elements of good fit to create functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing, apparel products. Students develop basic slopers through pattern drafting, and also practice designing and constructing creative apparel products including a dress garment for the final project. Through this understanding and skill development, students will be able to evaluate and create ready-to-wear apparel products in the global fashion industry. (This class was formerly FCS 3840 Flat Pattern Design.)

Examines the principles of store planning and design, display and promotion of merchandise, and tools used to promote retailer's brand image. Students will develop an understanding of these various facets of visual merchandising through theoretical learning and practical applications.

Explores the key strategies used to operate and manage a successful retail corporation. Students learn how retailers use external and internal market analysis to assess their core competencies to be profitable in an intensely competitive global market. The steps involved in the merchandising process, including the role of the buyer and the importance of visual merchandising, are examined as integral to satisfying the retailer's consumer base. Through this holistic review of retailing, students are given the foundation for merchandising career opportunities.

This course provides an understanding of global societies through an investigation of the socio-political, economic and religious factors that impact appearance, dress and behavior in these cultures. Students will examine international markets, consumer behavior, and cultural practices to develop a broader understanding of global perspectives and prepare for success in the global fashion industry. The course fosters intercultural competency and global awareness relevant to the apparel market.

Focuses on the role of retail buyers in the merchandising process. Examines merchandising decisions such as what and how much inventory to buy, from where to source, and how best to market goods to the consumer to meet sales goals. Merchandise planning decisions and sales goals are determined using retail math equations.

Provides specific knowledge and skills of the industry standards necessary to evaluate and create ready-to-wear apparel products in the global fashion industry.

A study of textile and costume designs from ancient to present day civilizations. Social, economic, and political factors in addition to the historical role of women in various time periods are investigated to assess their influence on the evolution of costume and cultural art forms.

A study of the diverse meanings of appearance and dress as manifestations of individual and group behavior, social organizations, and cultural norms. Students develop an increased awareness and sensitivity to the power of dress as a non-verbal communicator as they explore the role of socialization in local and global cultures.

Survey current issues and trends related to sourcing and manufacturing of apparel and textiles products in global markets. Students explore ethical, social, political, and economic issues related to global sourcing and production.

Survey current issues and trends related to omnichannel retailing including online and offline experiences with a focus on how social media have transformed apparel retailers’ business strategies. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of multiple retail channels and interpret consumer behavior in an omnichannel context.

Identifies trends and current issues in the fashion industry.

Focuses on acquiring the skills necessary to develop apparel designs by using techniques of draping materials on the human form. Principles of design will be studied and applied in the production of attractive apparel designs that are in harmony with the current fashion scene.

Provides opportunity to practice CAD rendering skills and creative design process for apparel products. Emphasizes elements and principles of technical design as well as creative design of apparel products.

Explores creative designing process through integrating the theories and skills of sketching, pattern making, draping, and construction in the production of ready-to-wear clothing. Provides a chance to practice visual presentation skills.

Provides opportunities to create a professional apparel design portfolio through CAD.

Examines history, philosophy, and cultural values as they relate to the mission and goals of the Apparel Design and Merchandising discipline and profession and to each ADM specialization. Examines role of faith in vocation and ethical behavior in professional practice.

Student works independently with a faculty member on a mutually-agreed upon topic.

Provides an opportunity to gain practical experience related to previous coursework in the major field in supervised teaching, grading, laboratory preparation, and/or tutoring. Specific arrangements with the instructor required.

Practical application of coordination, production and promotion in the Designer's Showcase.

Prerequisites: "B" average; junior standing. Provides opportunities for observation, orientation, and participation in employment. Work experience planned in advance with the instructor.

Provides a focused study of a specific topic or contemporary issue chosen by the instructor. See current Time Schedule for topic.