CA115 The Textile Industrial Complex

Fall, 1998
Class Coordinator: Dr. Ann Beth Presley
Office: 372 Spidle Hall
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 10am-11am and by appointment
Phone: 844-1347
Course Description: Lecture 5 hours. Introduction to the composition, characteristics, and products of the textile industrial complex. Includes fiber producers, textile manufacturers, dyers, finishers, apparel manufacturers, and retailers.

Objectives of the Course:

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the composition, organization and operation of the textile industrial complex or "pipeline" and its place in the national and international economics.
Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental characteristics of primary textile complex sectors--fiber producers, textile manufacturers, dyers, apparel manufacturers, and retailers.
Demonstrate an elementary understanding of a consumer-driven marketplace and its impact on the textile/apparel/retail industry, including product development functions.
Define a broad selection of product, industry, and business terms used in the textile complex.
Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental textile concepts and processes, and identify common fabrics.
Identify a broad selection of apparel styles and other product features.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the relationship between textile characteristics and apparel product performance.
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the legislation affecting the industry.
Identify and use common trade publications for the textile complex.
Identify varied career opportunities within the textile industrial complex.
Required Texts:
Burns, Leslie & Bryant, Nancy, (1997).The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing. New York: Fairchild Publications.
Basic Textile Swatch Kit. Nashville, TN: Textile Fabric Consultants.
Assigned readings will be on reserve at the library or in the department office.

Course requirements, Policies and Grading
In-class assignments. You will be assigned to find articles on specific topics, read them, bring them to class, and be prepared to DISCUSS the articles. Every Friday, unless otherwise indicated, a quiz will be given on specific design details. The quiz schedule is detailed below. If you are tardy for class you will not be allowed to take the quiz or make it up. You will be allowed to take a make-up quiz with a valid excuse. You are responsible for turning in examples for five of the design details each Friday at the time of the quiz in an appropriate format.

 
Grading:
Exam 1 20%
Exam 2 20%
Exam 3 20%
Final Examination 20%
In-class Assignments 15%
Class Participation 5% (This includes but is not limited to class attendance. If you are not present, you cannot participate.)
Your attendance is expected in class. Role will be taken every class. Class participation is part of the grade. Come prepared to participate. Active participation in class discussion is expected. Also included are unannounced quizzes on assigned readings and on material presented in the previous lecture. There will be several guest speakers during the quarter since this an overview class. Please treat our guests with proper attention and respect. We plan to go on at least one field trip--attendance is mandatory.
Any assignment turned in after the due date will receive a 5% points per day penalty unless other previous arrangements have been made with the instructor.
If a student is ill and cannot attend an exam, due to excused reasons only, or turn a project in on time, the instructor must be notified prior to class time. A doctor's excuse will be required to makeup the exam or turn in the project. No make-up exams will be given without a valid excuse!! Upon approval of an excused absence, make-up exams must be taken or projects turned in in a timely manner, as agreed upon by the instructor and the student.

In addition to completeness and quality, all assignments will be graded for correctness of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, including the design details quiz. If you have questions about the spelling of any design details, please ask them before each quiz.

Academic honesty: ALL PORTIONS OF THE AUBURN UNIVERSITY HONESTY CODE (TITLE XII) FOUND IN THE TIGER CUB WILL APPLY IN THIS CLASS.

Students’ responsibilities: An important part of the learning process is students’ active participation with the instructor in seeking answers to unclear or confusing points in instructions or other course material. In other words, if a student needs help understanding something, he or she should not always expect to be given the answer, but rather to be asked questions which can help increase comprehension.

It is the policy of Auburn University to provide accessiblity to its programs and activities, and reasonable accomodatin for person defined as having a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with special needs are encouraged to see their instructor during the first week of classes or they should contact:

The Program of Students with Disabilities, Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education, 1234 Haley Center,
Dr. Kelly Haynes, Director, 334-844-5943 (Voice T/O)

Exam Dates are scheduled for:
Wednesday, October 7
Friday, October 23
Wednesday, November 11
Final exam is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2:00-4:30pm

Grading Scale: Quiz Schedule:
A = 90% - 100%       Sept. 25 Collars
B = 80% - 89.9         Oct. 2 Skirts
C = 70% - 79.9%      Oct. 9 Sleeves & Cuffs
D = 60% - 69.9%      Oct. 16 Pockets and Trims
F = below 60%         Oct 23 Pants (with exam)
                               Oct. 30 Necklines & Neckwear
                               Nov. 5 Dresses & Silhouettes (Thursday)
                               Nov. 13 Blouses, Shirts & Sweaters
                               Nov. 18 Jackets, Coats & Vests (Wednesday)

Tentative class schedule: Assigned text readings:
Week One:
Introduction to the complex and pipeline.
Historical overview of the complex.                                                      Chapts. 1, 2
Components of the complex and traditional relationships.
Vertical and horizontal integration or expansion concepts.
International aspects of production and distribution.
Economic importance of the industry.
Week Two:
Fiber producers and textile manufacturers                                                  Chapt. 3
Identities and functions 
Types and sizes of companies
Geographic concentrations
Highlights of relationships between potential suppliers and customers
Weeks Three and Four:
Textile product knowledge (you will need your swatch kit during this component of the class.)     Chapt. 3
Yarns Swatch Kit
Basic Structures
Simple Yarns 
Novelty or Complex Yarns 
Texturing processes 
Week Five and Six:
Fabrics Swatch Kit
Types of Constructions 
Properties of each type (e.g., woven, knit, felt) 
Legislation and Standards
Labeling
Flammability
Quality Control
Week Seven:
Apparel manufacturers and retailers: types, functions and sizes of companies     Chapts. 4, 5
Traditional lines of apparel company specialization in men's, women's or 
children's, and garment, size and price categories, contemporary trends
Sourcing                                                                                                 Chapt. 10
Weeks Eight and Nine:
Identification of classifications
Historic differences between men's and women's wear industries                       Chapt. 1
Week Ten:
History of Couture                                                                                     Chapt. 1, 6
Geographic concentrations
Define licensing as a term to be applied in varied situations.                             Chapt. 2
The Design Process and Apparel Product Knowledge                                        Chapt. 5
Garment and garment parts: styles and product features
Blurring lines of product development and distribution (e.g., retailers'                 Chapt. 8
private labels and manufacturer's outlet stores
Examples of corporate structures, differently named companies, divisions, product lines
Accessories                                                                                             Chapt. 13