Academics / Degrees / Fashion Merchandising Course Descriptions / Fashion Merchandising Course Descriptions Menu Degrees BS Fashion Merchandising Program BFA Graphic Design Program BFA Interior Design Program AAB Fashion Merchandising ProgramDepartments and FacultyCourse CatalogCollege Calendar 2023-2024 Fashion Merchandising Course Descriptions FM102 Textiles – 3 Credits This course is designed to give students an in-depth examination of fibers, yarns, fiber performance properties and fabric construction. It focuses on the study of the production of textiles from raw materials stage to finished product. Prerequisite: FM141 Introduction to Fashion FM141 Introduction to Fashion – 3 Credits The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the many facets of the fashion industry from concept to consumer. The course focuses on the fashion industry as a whole with emphasis on the structure of the fashion industry, consumer demand and acceptance, fashion research, forecasting trends, product acquisition and development FM164 Quantitative Retail Math – 3 Credits This course is designed to introduce the student to the multi-faceted world of contemporary business and accounting practices. An in-depth understanding of these principles will be gained as the student produces various accounting documents. Prerequisite: X040 Intro to Computers FM171 Principles of Retailing – 3 Credits This course introduces students to retailing principles best practices, and career opportunities. They will also explore multi-channel retailing, management and control functions, merchandising fashion products, and communication with and service for fashion clientele. Prerequisite: FM141 Introduction to Fashion or taken concurrently with FM141 Introduction to Fashion FM198 Planning and Allocation – 3 Credits This course is designed to introduce students the process of planning and allocation. They will learn the principles and techniques that retailers use to set and maintain sales and inventory performance goals. Also, they will analyze merchandise trends to understand the impact/power of brand and promotions/advertising. Prerequisite: FM164 Quantitative Retail Math FM204 Fashion Styling – 3 Credits This course is designed to prepare students with image management tools for online campaigns in the fashion industry. Prerequisite: FM141 Introduction to Fashion FM205 Fashion Buying and Merchandising – 3 Credits This course is designed to help students examine and analyze current buying practices and techniques. They will learn the fundamentals of fashion buying with an emphasis on planning, sourcing, procuring, and pricing of retail fashion inventories. Prerequisite: FM198 Planning & Allocation FM207 Fashion Writing, Blogging and Criticism – 3 Credits The purpose of this course is to support critical and creative thinking, fostering the improvement of oral and written communication skills. Prerequisite: ENG102 Verbal Communication of Visual Concepts FM208 Fashion Communications – 3 Credits This course explores the various factors involved in taking your vision to the creation of marketing strategies for products/services. This course focuses on the process of marketing goals, strategies and tactics and executing a marketing plan for a fashion brand. Prerequisite: FM171 Principles of Retailing FM265 Product Costing and Analysis – 3 Credits This course is designed to analyze historical and contemporary garments in regards to construction, fabrication, and costing. Prerequisite: FM102 Textiles and FM164 Quantitative Retail Math FM274 Visual Merchandising I – 3 Credits This class will introduce students to visual merchandising and environmental design, and explore the design basics required for effective merchandise presentation. This class will address the ways in which merchandise presentation impacts store windows and interior applications while selling a brand’s image. Prerequisite: 5th quarter requirements of a 48 credit hour minimum FM275 Visual Merchandising II – 3 Credits Visual Merchandising is the selling of merchandise through a visual medium. This course continues to build on the understanding of basic merchandising concepts and theory developed in Visual Merchandising I, coupled with the effective presentation of store’s merchandise in windows and interiors. Prerequisite: FM274 Visual Merchandising I FM282 Accessories, Beauty & Home – 3 Credits This course provides an overview of the accessory industry, past and present. Students will also study the beauty industry, origins, and best practices. In addition, home store fashion accessories and trends will be analyzed. Prerequisite: FM141 Introduction to Fashion and FM171 Principles of Retailing FM300 Consumer Behavior – 3 Credits This course is designed to assess the psychology of different markets and to understand purchasing patterns and consumer decision making. Prerequisite: 5th quarter requirements of a 48 credit hour minimum FM314 Fashion Show Production – 3 Credits This course is to lead students through the process of planning and presenting a fashion show and to outline the steps necessary for organizing a successful event. The techniques discussed throughout the course will provide a foundation for fashion show planners to organize this enormous project and that the additional community in-house/outside opportunities support and enhance the information. Prerequisite: 6th quarter requirements of a 60 credit hour minimum FM336 Social Responsibility in the Global Market – 3 Credits This course is designed to understand the supply chain management system and develop strategies for environmental and social responsibility. It also focuses on fair-trade initiatives in the global landscape of domestic and global sourcing. Prerequisite: 5th quarter requirements of a 48 credit hour minimum FM361 Retail Store Planning & Design – 3 Credits This course is designed to expose students to the process of designing retail environments. Students will explore the relationship between retail store planning and fashion merchandising, especially in the area of image. Prerequisite: 8th quarter requirements of an 84 credit hour minimum FM386 Fashion Product Development – 3 Credits This course is designed to apply the knowledge of the theory of product development by developing and apparel line from inception to production. Prerequisite: FM205 Fashion Buying and Merchandising FM407 Convergence of Digital Technology and Fashion – 3 Credits This course is designed to assess the emerging area of intelligent/performance textiles, wearable technologies and the transformational products in fashion’s future. Prerequisite: 10th quarter requirements of a 108 credit hour minimum FM410 Fashion Branding – 3 Credits This course is designed to understand the fundamentals of branding. It will look at what a fashion brand is, why companies position themselves in the marketplace with certain products, and why they identify with certain customers. Additional studies will focus on brand landscape, brand equity, and pricing strategies. Prerequisite: 5th quarter requirements of a 48 credit hour minimum FM420 Environmental Scanning – 3 Credits This course is designed to evaluate how political, social, technological and economic trends influence the fashion industry on a macro and micro level. Prerequisite: 5th quarter requirements of a 48 credit hour minimum FM440 Fashion Selling and Sales Management – 3 Credits This course is designed to enable the student to create a customer-centric focus with selling techniques and build a culture that maintains customer and brand loyalty to generate new sales. Prerequisite: 10th quarter requirements of a 108 credit hour minimum FM450 Fashion Merchandising Capstone – 3 Credits This course is designed to allow the student to participate in an experiential project where they create a retail store brand from inception to production including product mix, store design, planning, and budgeting. Prerequisite: Final quarter standing