BUF 1101: Introduction to Fashion Industry
This course gives students a complete overview of the fashion industry, including key topics like fashion terminology, the roles of designers and manufacturers, and how products are developed and distributed. Students will also learn about the influence of global trends and cultural factors on fashion. The course highlights the importance of sustainability and ethical practices in the industry. By the end of the course, students will have a strong understanding of how the fashion industry works, setting them up for more advanced studies in fashion business and technology.
ARTH 1204: 20th Century Dress and Culture
This course surveys the history of fashion from the late 19th century to today. It covers the various influences that have shaped clothing styles over time, including economics, politics, religion, and culture. Students will explore how historical events and periods have impacted fashion. The course includes readings, videos, and discussions, and connects students to the local fashion industry through field trips and guest speakers.
BUF 2203: Visual Merchandising
This course explores visual merchandising by focusing on how products are presented in stores. It looks at both the theory and practice of using store environments, lighting, special effects, fixtures, and product placement to communicate a message about a fashion brand and influence customers’ decisions.
Topics include designing displays for specialty and department stores, creating visuals for walls and windows, and using professional presentation techniques. The course also covers how color, music, and lighting affect consumer behavior. Students will continue to develop their Retail Marketing e-Portfolios in Open Lab.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GctqKbKrhpA5pXe65c7bZgWG2eLC89GZYLZMO1QQD4A/edit?usp=sharing
BUF 2246: Introduction to Textiles
This course is an introduction to the constantly changing world of fashion and textiles. Students will learn about both wholesale and retail fashion environments to understand how different types of textiles are used by fashion merchandisers, buyers, and retailers. The course covers the basics of fibers, yarns, fabric construction, finishes, and decorations, helping students learn how to judge fabric quality and choose the right materials for modern fashion and home furnishings.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VigXIyUKt3219yyAHZ5HuPJE-Paa2iR_m3kfeRIOQUY/edit?usp=sharing
BUF 2255: Merchandising Planning and Buying
This course gives an overview of modern inventory systems and sales tracking. Student learn about how retailers manage inventory, create financial statements, and use techniques like markups, markdowns, open-to-buy, and sales terms.
The class focuses on the math and analysis behind buying and planning for stores. It covers how retailers get products from manufacturers and sell them to customers. Many of the topics are taught through math problems and hands-on activities. By the end of the course, students understood how stores plan sales and manage inventory to increase profits. Students also learn how important it is to boost sales and reduce losses from price drops or running out of stock. Finally, students be able to explain how retail financial operations work and apply what they’ve learned in computer-based case studies.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CAZiJJRtdqFeai63BWo7fSc6SH4z1TZO0E9eTBDWmfQ/edit?usp=sharing
BUF 2400: Product Development in the Fashion Industry
This course teaches students about the process of creating products in the fashion industry. Key topics include market research, trend analysis, design ideas, choosing materials, and planning production. Students will learn how to develop product lines that match a brand’s identity and meet consumer needs, with a focus on sustainability and ethical practices. The course also covers how technology is used in product development, helping students prepare for the fast-changing world of fashion.
BUF 3100: Trend Forecasting and Social Media
This course looks at current color, fabric, and fashion trends and how they affect sales predictions. Students will research and analyze trends for different seasons in the fashion industry.
Students learn how to predict future trends in color, fabrics, styles, and textures. The student also figured out how to use those predictions to create a trend forecast and a merchandising plan. This includes making mood boards, flat sketches, and specifications. Additionally, students learn how to turn these ideas into something that pattern makers and other production teams can use to create the clothing.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wv_2F5PWVvInm-GF9JjIvC6oKhFdA0MqpNKidQaHeWc/edit?usp=sharing
SBS 3201: Gender, Dress, and Society
The study of how clothing and fashion affect cultural identities, gender roles, and how people buy fashion products. It examines modern styles of dress from the U.S. and other cultures.
Clothing is a way to communicate personal identity and social status in different areas like family, work, religion, and politics. The course also examines how other cultures use clothing and technology in dress, exploring how these choices are connected to beliefs about things like morality, hygiene, ritual, and beauty.
BUF 4700: Contemporary Issues in the Fashion Industry
This senior-level seminar course allows students to explore specialized topics related to the fashion industry. Through research, discussions, and weekly readings, students will work towards a final paper and presentation. The themes of the course change each semester, focusing on current issues in the fashion world.
The course covers contemporary challenges that designers, merchandisers, product developers, and consumers face as they create, wear, and dispose of fashion. Key topics include sustainability, globalization, and ethics. The goal is to foster a thoughtful discussion about fashion practices, with a focus on sustainability, ethical considerations, and socially responsible manufacturing.
BUF 4900: Internship
This course provides students with work experience in a fashion company related to their specific area of interest. It allows students to apply what they’ve learned in class to real-world professional situations, helping them transition smoothly into the workforce. Throughout the course, students will keep a journal of their work, submit written analyses, and meet regularly to discuss their experiences and insights.
