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Textiles and Apparel Courses

Textiles and Apparel: TXA

Lower-Division Courses

TXA 301. Clothing the Planet.

Study of the role textiles and apparel play in human lives. Introduction to the textile and apparel industries, and the broad perspective and core skill sets that characterize the field. Subjects include terminology, fibers and fabrics, textile technology, product development through fashion design and retail merchandising, global sourcing and manufacturing, international promotion and marketing, and textile conservation, exhibition, and collection management. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

TXA 103, 203, 303. Topics in Textiles and Apparel.

For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

TXA 205, 305. Textiles.

Chemical and physical properties of fibers and yarns, fabric construction, and finishes. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester.

TXA 105L. Textiles Laboratory.

Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit or registration for Textiles and Apparel 205.

TXA 212K. Apparel Industry.

Introduction to the integrated apparel design industry from the creative and merchandising perspective. Two lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Textiles and Apparel 212L; and the following coursework with a grade of at least C- in each course: Textiles and Apparel 316L or 316Q; and 219C or 119L.

TXA 212L. Apparel Product Development and Design Laboratory.

Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit or registration for Textiles and Apparel 212K.

TXA 313. Aesthetics: Theory and Practice.

Introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of the principles of design and visual literacy in the field of textiles and apparel. Introduction to the principles and theories that define what is aesthetically pleasing and the vocabulary necessary to identity, describe, and critique them. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

TXA 214K, 314K. Product Development.

Introduction to all stages of product development involved in fashion and functional design with an emphasis on target market identification, cost analysis, material selection, and the organization of product development within the industry structure. Apply product development skills and strategies involved in fashion and functional design. For 214K, two lecture hours a week for one semester; for 314K, six laboratory hours a week for one semester.

TXA 214L. Product Development Laboratory.

Application of product development skills and strategies involved in fashion and functional design. Emphasis on target market identification, cost analysis, material selection, and the position of product development within the industry structure. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Concurrent registration for Textiles and Apparel 214K.

TXA 316L. Apparel I.

Industrial techniques of pattern design and garment construction. One lecture hour and six laboratory hours a week for one semester.

TXA 316Q. Sewn Products Analysis.

Evaluation of soft goods, including materials, quality of work, and costs. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit with a grade of at least C- or registration in Textiles and Apparel 205 and 105L.

TXA 219C, 319C. Applied Art in Visual Presentation.

Explore the principles and elements of design as related to merchandising presentation, display planning, execution, and coordination. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester.

TXA 119L. Applied Art in Visual Presentation Laboratory.

Application of the principles and elements of design as related to merchandise presentation, display planning, execution, and coordination. Three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Students with credit for Textiles and Apparel 319 may not earn credit for Textiles and Apparel 119L. Prerequisite: Credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Textiles and Apparel 219C.

TXA 119S, 219S, 319S, 419S, 519S, 619S, 719S, 819S, 919S. Topics in Textiles and Apparel.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the School of Human Ecology. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Upper-Division Courses

TXA 325K. Culture, Gender, and Appearance.

Social, economic, aesthetic, and political aspects of historic costume and of the evolution of modern dress. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 219C and 119L with a grade of at least C- in each, or Art History 301.

TXA 325L. History of Dress and Cultural Change I.

Social, economic, aesthetic, and political aspects of costume evolution from ancient times through the Renaissance. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Textiles and Apparel 325K and 325L may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

TXA 325M. History of Dress and Cultural Change II.

Social, economic, aesthetic, and political aspects of costume evolution from the Baroque period through modern times. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Textiles and Apparel 325K and 325M may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

TXA 126, 326. Apparel II.

Advanced apparel construction techniques using industry standards and portfolio development. For 126, one lecture hour a week for one semester; for 326, one lecture and five laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 316L with a grade of at least C-.

TXA 226L. Apparel II Laboratory.

Advanced apparel construction techniques using industry standards and portfolio development. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Credit or registration for Textiles and Apparel 126.

TXA 327. Clothing and Human Behavior.

The social, psychological, and nonverbal significance of clothing and the influence of clothing on behavior. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Three semester hours of coursework in psychology, sociology, or the School of Human Ecology.

TXA 328. Research Methods in Textiles and Apparel.

Basic research methodology and academic writing. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, completion of an introductory statistics course, and Textiles and Apparel 205 and 105L with a grade of at least C- in each.

TXA 129S, 229S, 329S, 429S, 529S, 629S, 729S, 829S, 929S. Topics in Textiles and Apparel.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the School of Human Ecology. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

TXA 331. Textiles and Apparel in a Global Market.

Overview of the textiles and apparel industry including apparel industry standards, labor costs, economics, distribution, and structure in the modern global marketplace. Subjects include the analysis of consumption patterns and retailing systems to inform product development; exploring cross-cultural comparisons between global consumer markets; understanding importing and exporting systems and other procedures involved in modern supply chain activities; and grasping the collaborative nature of innovation and design, manufacturing and distribution, retailing, and customer satisfaction leading to sales in the global market. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

TXA 350. Advanced Apparel Design Portfolio.

Extensive sociological, cultural, and historic visual research for apparel design. Through a range of projects that incorporate computer-aided design, product illustration, technical packets, proposed production plans, and target market identification, students will produce a professional level, hard copy and online, portfolio that will help prepare them for a career in the apparel industry. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; Textiles and Apparel 164K (Topic 1) and 264L (Topic 1); and admission to the Apparel Design Internship Program.

TXA 151. Pre-Internship Seminar.

Preparation course for students seeking internships. Subjects include application, internship interview process, effective professional communication, ethical decision making, leadership development, site expectations, and the impact of business environments on personal and career effectiveness in the field of textiles and apparel. One lecture hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, Textiles and Apparel 301, 205, 105L, 214K, 214L, 316Q, 219C, 119L, and 376.

TXA 352C, 652C. Field Experience in Textile Conservation.

Participation in an approved internship after completion of all conservation science stream coursework. Students will be placed in an appropriate site under the supervision of an available professional such that students may experience collection management, artifact storage and conservation, exhibit planning/installation, environmental monitoring, and/or other museum or conservation activities. A formal agreement between the faculty supervisor and internship sponsor will govern activities and be monitored throughout the experience through assignments, regular electronic communication, and a site visit. For Textiles and Apparel 352C, a minimum of 150 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester. For Textiles and Apparel 652C, a minimum of 225 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; and Admission to the Conservation Certificate Program, or Textiles and Apparel 219C, 119L, 354C, 354D, 354E, 354F, and 355D, and admission to the Conservation Internship Program for Conservation Science, Option IV major.

TXA 352D. Field Experience in Apparel Design.

Application of apparel design techniques and principles in a professional environment. At least 154 hours of fieldwork for one semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the Apparel Design Internship Program, and Textiles and Apparel 164K (Topic 1: Flat Pattern) and 264L (Topic 1: Flat Pattern) with a grade of at least C- in each.

TXA 352M. Field Experience in Retail Merchandising.

Application of merchandising techniques and principles in a professional environment. At least 154 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the Retail Merchandising Internship Program.

TXA 353. Field Experience I.

Application of merchandising strategic planning in a professional environment with faculty and site director supervision. At least 150 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester. Textiles and Apparel 315K and Textiles and Apparel 353 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Admission to the Retail Merchandising Internship Program.

TXA 354C. Material Properties and Deterioration.

Overview of the major mechanisms of textile deterioration from a variety of sources including light, dirt, various insects and microorganisms, as well as mechanical wear and tear. Examination of the peculiarities of these deterioration phenomena through the study of the basic chemical and physical properties of the fibers constituting the textiles. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 354E with a grade of C- or better.

TXA 354D. Instrumental Methods for Conservation Assessment.

Overview of primary instrumental methods for evaluating historical textiles in terms of physical characteristics, chemical content, strength loss, structural deterioration, color change, and overall structural integrity and status of impact of environmental factors. Focus on instrumental features, measuring procedures, and interpretation of instrumental data. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 354E with a grade of at least C-.

TXA 354E. Conservation Planning and Preventive Treatments.

Implementation and management of textile conservation. Subjects include general requirements for preserving historical textiles, procedures for planning textile conservation projects, and major physical and chemical methods of preventive and postdamage treatments for historical textiles. One lecture hour and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: The following with a grade of at least C-: Chemistry 320M, Textiles and Apparel 260L, and 260M.

TXA 354F. Advanced Exhibit Planning and Installation.

Planning and implementation of a full museum exhibit including budget, selection and preparation of artifacts, prop construction, signage, educational and promotional materials, donor/supporter communication, and opening event. Serves as a pre-internship/capstone course for conservation science majors. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 325L, 325M, and 355D.

TXA 155, 355. Problems Course.

Intensive study of selected problems of an interdisciplinary nature. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

TXA 355C. Computer-Aided Design for Apparel.

Computer technology used to create textile prints, weaves, illustrations, flat patterns, promotional pieces, and pattern markers. One lecture hour and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 205 and 105L with a grade of at least C- in each; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Textiles and Apparel 164K (Topic 1: Flat Pattern) and 264L (Topic 1: Flat Pattern); for non-majors, consent of instructor.

TXA 355D. Textiles Artifact Management and Conservation.

Principles and techniques in the identification, documentation, conservation, and exhibition of textile-based artifacts. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 325M.

TXA 355K. Textile and Apparel Economics.

Economic and regulatory aspects of the textile and apparel industries. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 205 and 105L with a grade of at least C- in each, and Economics 304K and 304L with a grade of at least C- in each.

TXA 355N. History of Textiles.

Role of textiles in the social, economic, aesthetic, and technological development of society; including production and design of textiles throughout history. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 205 and 105L and three semester hours of coursework in art history, with a grade of at least C- in each course.

TXA 355P. Problems in Retail Merchandising.

Intensive study of selected problems related to field experience; development of analytical and problem-solving skills for retailing. At least 154 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the Retail Merchandising Internship Program.

TXA 359H. Honors Reading Course.

Supervised individual reading on special subjects. Conference course. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, a University grade point average of at least 3.00, and consent of the undergraduate adviser.

TXA 360. Textile Testing.

Analyze and evaluate textile performance. Four-and-one-half laboratory hours a week for one semester. Textiles and Apparel 360 and 260M may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Credit or registration for Textiles and Apparel 260L.

TXA 260L, 360L. Advanced Textiles.

Composition, structure, and properties of textile products; contributions of textile research. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 205 and 105L; Chemistry 301, 302, or 304K, 305; six semester hours of upper-division coursework in textiles and apparel with a grade of at least C- in each course; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Textiles and Apparel 260M.

TXA 361. Consumer Behavior in the Marketplace.

Internal and external factors that influence consumer behavior in the marketplace. Application of concepts and theories from the social sciences to the areas of textiles, clothing, and appearance; experience in conducting market and consumer research. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and three semester hours of coursework in economics.

TXA 364C. Advanced Apparel Design: Flat Pattern.

Explore the creative application of flat pattern processes. One lecture hour and five lab hours a week for one semester. Textiles and Apparel 364C and 164K (Topic 1) may not both be counted. Textiles and Apparel 364C and 264L (Topic 1) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 212K, 212L, 316L, 126, and 226L, with a grade of at least C- in each; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Textiles and Apparel 326.

TXA 364D. Advanced Apparel Design: Draping.

Examine advanced apparel design. Explore the creative application of draping processes. One lecture hour and five lab hours a week for one semester. Textiles and Apparel 364D and 164K (Topic 2) may not both be counted. Textiles and Apparel 364D and 264L (Topic 2) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 212K, 212L, 316L, 126, and 226L, with a grade of at least C- in each; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Textiles and Apparel 364C.

TXA 364E. Advanced Apparel Design: Collections.

Examine advanced apparel design. Explore the creation of an apparel collection. One lecture hour and five lab hours a week for one semester. Textiles and Apparel 364E and 164K (Topic 3) may not both be counted. Textiles and Apparel 364E and 264L (Topic 3) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 212K, 212L, 316L, 126, and 226L, with a grade of at least C- in each; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for Textiles and Apparel 364D.

TXA 164K. Advanced Problems in Clothing.

Creative application of flat pattern or draping processes. One lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Textiles and Apparel 212K, 212L, 316L, 126, and 226L, with a grade of at least C- in each; and credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for the same topic of Textiles and Apparel 264L.

TXA 264L. Advanced Problems in Apparel Laboratory.

Six laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Credit with a grade of at least C- or registration for the same topic of Textiles and Apparel 164K.

TXA 165, 265, 365. Advanced Topics in Textiles and Apparel.

For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing. Additional prerequisites vary with the topic.

TXA 376. Principles of Retail Merchandising.

Retail strategic planning and implementation for soft goods and apparel. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Marketing 320F and six semester hours of upper-division coursework in textiles and apparel, business, studio art, or journalism.

TXA 377. Merchandising Systems.

Application course focusing on the calculation and analysis of the selling price, profitability, assortment planning, purchasing, and inventory control. Includes spreadsheet application and exercises. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; Textiles and Apparel 301, 205, 105L, 214K, 214L, 316Q, 219C, 119L, 151, and 376; and admission to the Retail Merchandising Internship Program.

TXA 378H. Honors Seminar in Textiles and Apparel.

The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, a University grade point average of at least 3.00, and consent of the honors adviser.

TXA 379H. Honors Tutorial Course.

Supervised individual research on a special topic in textiles and apparel; oral presentation and preparation of a scholarly paper covering the research. May be based on laboratory, library, or field research. Conference course. May be taken twice for credit. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, admission to the Textiles and Apparel Honors Program, Textiles and Apparel 359H with a grade of at least B-, and consent of the honors adviser.

Graduate Courses

TXA 392. Research Problems in Textile and Apparel Technology.

Directed research in various topics in the area of textile and apparel technology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in textile and apparel technology, or graduate standing and consent of instructor.

TXA 394. Recent Advances in Textile and Apparel Technology.

An in-depth study of textile and apparel topics. Students may read original research papers and carry out fieldwork assignments. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, or as required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in textile and apparel technology, or graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Topic 1: Advances in Product Development and Technical Design. Development of specification, sizing, grading systems, and quality control methodology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 2: International Sourcing and the Global Economy. Economic, social, and public issues related to international production and sourcing of textiles and apparel. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 3: E-Commerce and Direct Marketing. Recent developments and evaluation of nontraditional retailing of apparel. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 4: Textile Instrumentation. Application of image analysis, neural networks, and wavelet transforms to textile and apparel products. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 5: Digital Design and Printing. Principles and elements of digital design and printing. Recent developments in digital knits, weaves, prints, and nonwoven textiles. Two lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Topic 6: Textile Functional Finishes. Study of the application and adaptation of functional finishes to textiles. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 7: Textile Microscopy and Image Analysis. Basic techniques for characterizing fiber properties visually with a microscope and using technology and computer analysis. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 8: Digital Modeling of Textiles. Recent developments in two- and three-dimensional modeling. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 9: Production Mechanics and Properties of Woven Fabrics. The relationship between the mechanics of production and mechanical properties of woven fabric; the unit operations required to prepare yarns for weaving and the mechanisms employed in weaving; fabric structure, geometry, and mechanical properties; designing for specific fabric properties. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 10: Global Textile and Apparel Business Dynamics. Elements of competitive strategy and planning methods within the textile complex, with an emphasis on the concepts of strategy in a mature industry, defining business in a global industry, allocating resources through strategic planning methods, and implementing strategy in single- and multi-business firms. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 11: Market Research in Textiles. Study and analysis of quantitative methods employed in market research in the textile industry, including the function of market research and its proper orientation to management and decision making. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Topic 12: Color Science. The basis of modern techniques for color specification, measurement, control, and communication. Applications of color science to textiles, plastics, color reproduction, computer-based imaging, and display systems. Basic concepts are taught using computer color graphics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

TXA 395. Seminar in Textiles and Apparel.

Lectures and discussions on current topics in textiles and apparel. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in textile and apparel technology, or graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Topic 1: Mass Customization of Apparel. The principles and implementation of newly developed three-dimensional technology for apparel mass customization.
Topic 2: Advanced Functional Textiles. Current science and technology concerning functional textiles. Emphasis is on the relationship between materials, development, structure, and properties.

TXA 698. Thesis.

The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: For 698A, graduate standing in textile and apparel technology and consent of the graduate adviser; for 698B, Textiles and Apparel 698A.

Professional Courses