Proposed Tier II Course

Proposed Tier II course RCSC 204 Consumers, Fashion and the Economy

Web-Delivered

Instructor

Charlette Padilla Phone: 520-621-3346 Email: [email protected] Office Hours: The instructor is available to meet individually, or with a team, to explain and discuss course requirements and to offer assistance and suggestions concerning assignments. Email messages can be left 24-hours a day.

Home Department Information

Division of Retailing and Consumer Sciences (RCSC) Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences Bldg, Rm 123 520-621-3346. RCSC majors, please check http://ag.arizona.edu/fcs/

Catalog Course Description A study of consumer behavior and fashion adoption processes in contemporary society, the nature of fashion theories, the life-cycle, social and cultural processes and evolution of fashion, and the role of fashion in the global economy in general and in the fashion business industry in particular.

Course Background

Fashion is a significant and fundamental phenomenon of human behavior, related to consumers’ lifestyles, personal identity, and social culture. Fashions are governed and shaped by an exceedingly complex interplay of forces from within and external to the individual and societal adopters. Fashion is also one of the most important factors that influence success of the consumer business and the economy. In this course, students will study and learn consumer behavior and fashion adoption processes in contemporary society, the nature of fashion theories, the life-cycle, social and cultural processes and evolution of fashion, and the role of fashion in the global economy in general and in the fashion business industry in particular. Students will learn the science of predicting future fashion trends, the relationship between forecasting, trend prediction, marketing, economics and style movements. This course is designed to acquaint students with research techniques, trend analysis, and methods for anticipating the future in order to project fashion directions and to develop competitive business strategies in the global economy.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

1. To examine the theories of fashion cycles and evaluate the theories’ application to forecasting strategies and insights today. 2. To understand the birth and evolution of changing fashions, fashion adoptions, diffusion of innovations, and consumer behaviors. 3. To analyze the history of trends and the development of future trends and changing nature of fashion today, and also the many complex issues influencing fashion change in the global economy. 4. To be able to examine and develop methods of consumer research, consumer segmentation and sales forecasting and apply future trend information to the fashion and retail industries. 5. To understand the basic concepts and definitions of fashion elements, such as color, textile, style, silhouette, and design, and to apply fundamental techniques in order to research, select and interpret information in order to forecast style and color trends for future seasons. 6. To analyze past style movements and establish an understanding of historical context, consumer trends, buying patterns, fads, and cults. 7. To synthesize trends and new products by gaining insight into consumers’ attitudes and lifestyles phases. 8. To learn the different consumer research methods used in business, social and environmental spheres and which affect fashion trends. 9. To examine the forecasting practices in the textile and apparel industries as mentioned above and to apply these practices through case studies and group research activities. 10. To learn the different consumer research methods used in business, social and environmental spheres and which affect fashion trends

Required Textbook and Materials

. Consumer Behavior in Fashion, Michael R. Solomon, Nancy J. Rabolt, Prentice Hall 2004. . Handouts in contents . WGSN-EDU (website), New Yorker , Women’s Wear Daily click APA

Honors Option

Honor students are required to complete more advanced work on the Fashion Notebook project. The advance work includes a supplementary, detailed research survey including analytical conclusions based on collected data. Interested students must contact the instructor for further instruction.

Preliminary Knowledge

There is no specific prerequisite to this course. However, this course is built on students’ understanding of individuals and society from a broader sense, including business and economy.

Course Methodology

The course will be taught online via the learning software Desire2Learn (D2L). Students unfamiliar with D2L can learn the software via Email:[email protected] Phone: 626-TECH (8324) or check http://help.d2l.arizona.edu/forstudents.htm On-Line Discussion

The class will use a D2L discussion board on which you can post your class discussions. For each discussion, the instructor will provide the subject/and or questions and will also grade postings and occasionally submit her own commentaries. During each week, students should be actively engaged in their group activities and class discussions. In addition there will be two open class discussions. The discussion questions/topics will be posted on-line, on the first day of the week in which the discussion is assigned at 12:00AM and you will have until 11:59 PM last day of the week to complete your input. Some discussions will be given a credit grade and graded in the discussion part of D2L. Others (Team Charter &Team Evaluations) will be an assignment for your drop box.

A good way to view the input of your teammates, and see the entire discussion laid out on a single scrolling screen, is to hit the print view button.

To earn 100% of the discussion grade points, during on-line discussions, students must contribute to the assigned group’s discussion in a well-constructed manner. The tone of the discussions will be evaluated. Well constructed discussions depends on significant participation, by I mean the following

1. Providing pertinent information to the class discussion from assigned reading chapters. 2. Keeping all remarks positive, but at the same time questioning comments when your opinion differs. 3. Sharing personal experiences drawn from other classes, websites, and other sources of relevant information. 4. Building on commentaries posted by other students.

An occasional, brief reply to other discussion comments (e.g. "Great idea, Tess”) does not fulfill the discussion requirement.

Exam Grading

Each student will be provided 40 minutes to take each of the four tests given in this course. The exam will automatically be submitted at the end of 40 minutes. If you complete an exam b/4 within the 40 minutes than you can submit the test yourself. Once you submit your exam you cannot get it back. The average of all tests will determine your final grade. D2L automatically grades each exam. Failure to recognize a correct answer as well as selection of a wrong answer will cost you. For example, on a one-point question if there are 4 answers to choose from, each is worth .25. Failure to select an answer or selection of a wrong answer would thus cost .25. Short answer questions will automatically be marked wrong on all quizzes because D2L doesn't know how to correctly grade short answer questions. I will have all quizzes corrected and posted with a correct grade within two days after the test

Assignments/Homework The D2L checklist will define the grading rubrics for most assignments. Please go to the checklist, select ‘assignment,’ then select ‘requirements’ and check off each requirement as completed. All assignments except for the majority of class discussions have drop boxes. Go to the drop box, select the assignment and upload your power points & papers. The majority of discussion questions do not have a drop box as explained above in participation/discussion section of this syllabus. The syllabus is separated into two columns. The left column lists the homework and the right column includes the textbook chapter readings, team discussions, developing homework assignments and quizzes.

Writing Assignments

This course will involve several homework assignments that require writing and three major papers that require the use of quantitative and qualitative research techniques. For more information, see the assignment list on the calendar. Students have the option to revise and resubmit their papers for a re-grading. Papers can be re-submitted any time before the first day of final exams week.

Writing Assignments The course includes three individual research assignments and one power point presentation to be completed and placed in the drop box. In addition teams will have two- assignments placed in the drop box by one elected teammate. Students have the option to revise and resubmit their papers for a re-grading. Papers can be re-submitted any time before the first day of final exams week.

Individual Assignment 1: Zeitgeist Time Line

A power point presentation that illustrates time events that would influence fashion-using categories of events, wars, values, attitude and dominate occurrence from the 1920s to the present.

Individual Assignment 2: (Fashion Notebook) Predictions, Hypothesis & Dream Team

Begin to develop a Fashion Notebook. The notebook will begin with a collection of long- term fashion predictions and theories of fashion cycles. State your target market, demographics, and psychographics and a fashion cycle theory. Choose one of your predictions and develop an apparel trend for your specified target market. When describing the apparel in your fashion trend use your handouts on dress, pant, skirt, collar & neckline design. Describe what fashion theory you used for the trend and why it is applicable.

Now that you have created a fashion forecast prediction state why and how you reached this prediction. Create a hypothesis of your fashion forecast. Use your Hypothesis Handout in content. The hypothesis should be only two to three sentences

Create a dream team of three people they can be dead or alive, that you would use on your fashion forecasting team (Examples; Faith Popcorn, Ana Wintour, Paris Hilton, Felica Frontain, Maria Antoinette...) anyone that might have insights into your market attitudes and lifestyles. Give reason why this person was chosen to be on your dream team. Why are they valid? Why are they reliable? State their credentials and justify.

Assignment 3 (Fashion Notebook): Color Concept & Textile paper

Describe a color concept for your fashion trend. Answer and support “What colors, hues or tones interact with your fashion prediction?” Develop ideas from different color forecasting services and industries. Useful websites will be placed on the course homepage. Interior magazines, art galleries, movies TV shows, etc can also inspire you. Describe in a minimum of 300 words the colors, hues and tones you will use for your fashion predictions.

Describe the textiles that you would choose for your target market. Would you choose a synthetic, manufactured or natural? What are your consumers’ expectations for the apparel they purchase? Choose & describe specific characteristics for your target market their lifestyle phases. Explain the characteristics of your fibers and how the textiles lend itself to the apparel and your consumer. The benefits of the textile (ex: care, hand, drapability...). Minimum 300 words & maximum 1,000 words

Assignment 4 (Fashion Notebook): Sales Forecasting Paper

Gather information for your sales forecasting paper. It should involve 10 or more participants. Choose either focus groups or store intercept survey (quantitative) or (qualitative). Give examples of all questions asked and summarize the participant’s answers.

The paper should describe method used focus groups, store intercepts (quantitative or qualitative). What did you learn from the survey & data gathered? Describe which sales forecasting method you would use to analyze your data. Would it be time series, correlation, regression techniques or a mixture of qualitative & quantitative techniques? Various descriptions of research techniques will be posted as a handout on the course website.

Team Assignment 1 Team charter

Create a team charter - make all team rules for the semester; list all names, phone numbers & email. Describe each team member’s -individual’s skill levels and the part that they would want to contribute as a team member for each team project and discussion. For example - one member is good at writing, another power-point... Discuss how you will achieve as a team school projects, potential conflicts, ground rules, and meeting schedules.

Team Assignment 2: Street Wear Fashion Paper

The teams Street Fashion Paper is about the observations each team member reports on a fashion trend(s) within their living location. This assignment is a group paper or power point. Go anywhere there is a scene and try to spot a fashion trend. Try to utilize a theory (trickle-down, -up or -across).

Post something in your discussion group and have one person submit a paper or power point.

Add to each other’s observations. Examples:

Tucson (Felicia Frontain): Observed knee-length shorts, very loose, small t-shirts & platform sandals. Mostly muted colors in La Encatada (Lifestyle Mall). Trend is toward very loose & natural fabrics. Most pants are now high waisted. Shoes more formal, with heels, etc.

Baltimore (Larry Padilla): Mostly seersuckers pant in the Harbor Place (tourist hang- out), white polos and floral sun dresses. Did not observe a trend. Almost all classics. etc.

Team Assignment 3: Team Evaluation

Each student writes an individual evaluation on each team member and place completed evaluations in your drop box. Name each member in your team. After each members name give a letter grade for that member (A, B, C, D, F). In a short paragraph explain the reason for the given grade. Go to Checklist to see form

Grade Determination

. 30 % Class discussion/ participation (Includes team work & class discussions) . 50 % Individual Grades (See below for breakdown of points) . 20 % Fashion Notebook (Writing Assignments)

Point Values for Course assignments

Assignments Individual (70%) Due Points Zeitgeist Time Line WK 3 9/03 6 Quiz 1(Ch 1 –2) plus fashion terminology handout) Wk 5 9/17 10

Discussion Question Ch.3 Wk 6 9/24 4 Quiz 2 (Ch 3 -5) plus handout design handouts) WK 10 10/22 10 Quiz 3 (Ch 6-8) plus textile handouts) WK 16 12/03 10 Quiz 4 (Ch 9-10-11) plus research handouts) Final WK 12/12 10 Extra Credit -Posted on website & syllabus Final WK 2 Fashion Notebook (Breakdown of points for Fashion FinalWK 12/12 20 Notebook is below) Total: 70/72 Teams (30%) Due Dates Points Team Charter WK 2 8/27 5 Week 1 Discussion Questions Ch. 1 & 2 WK 3 9/03 3 Week 2 Discussion Questions Ch. 4 & 5 WK9 10/15 3 Week 3 Discussion Questions Ch. 6 & 7 WK 13 11/12 3 Street-Wear Fashion Paper WK 15 11/26 6 Week 4 Discussion Questions Ch. 9 WK 16 12/03 3 Week 5 Discussion Question Final WK 12/12 3 Team Evaluations Final WK 12/12 4 Total 30 Grand Total 100/102 Fashion Notebook Due Date Due July 5/ Points 15 Predictions, Hypothesis & Dream WK 7 6 Team 10/01 Color Concepts & Textile trends Wk 12 7 11/05 Sales Forecasting Techniques Final WK 7 12/12 Total 20

Grade Scale: 90 – 102 = A 80 – 89 = B 70 – 79 = C 60 – 69 = D Below 60 = F

100 points x .90 = 90 which would specify that 100 – 90 points = A

100 Points x .80 = 240 which would specify that 89 - 80 points = B

100 Points x .70 = 210, which would specify that 79 – 70 points = C

100 Point x .60 = 180, which would specify that 69 – 60 points = D

A (Accomplished Fashion Forecaster) clearly stands out as excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates thoughtful questions. Articulates well and writes logically and clearly. Integrates ideas previously learned from this class and other disciplines; anticipates next steps in progression of ideas.

Example: "A" work should be of such a nature that it could be put on reserve for all students to review and emulate. The "A" student is, in fact, an example for others to follow.

B (Fashion Forecaster) Grasps subject matter at a level considered good to very well, an active listener and participant in class discussion. Writes well, accomplishes more than the minimum requirements. Work in and out of class is of superior quality.

Example: "B" work indicates a superior quality of performance and is given in recognition for solid work; a "B" should be considered a high grade.

C (Evolving Fashion Forecaster) Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates in writing at an acceptable level for a college student. Has a generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.

Example: "C" work represents average work for the students in a program or class. A student receiving a "C" has met course requirement, including deadlines.

D (Developing Fashion Forecaster) Quality and quantity of work in and out of class is below average and barely acceptable.

Example: "D" work is passing by a slim margin.

F (Beginning Fashion Forecaster) Quality and quantity of work in and out of class is unacceptable.

MAKE-UP POLICY: All in-class work must be completed on the designated day; no make-up work is allowed. Papers and assignments that are late will be reduced by one grade level for each day late. Any assignment more than two days late will not be accepted and will receive an F. You may, however, hand it in and have it count toward class participation.

All graded paper assignments must be submitted in the proper format used by University of Arizona. The approved Style Guide is Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 5th Edition. All written documents are to be typed, spelling- and grammar-checked, double-spaced, and correctly margined. Include a cover page and follow the APA format described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 5th Edition.

Students will complete a Learning Team Evaluation for the Learning Team members. The evaluation will be due in Week Five. The Peer Evaluation form is available on the student website: Learning Team Evaluation. The faculty member assessing team effectiveness and individual participation will use team documents, activities, conversations, and the LT evaluation. If an unequal distribution of learning-team effort among members is determined, the faculty member reserves the right to grade performance on an individual basis. If you read this message (and email me that you located it) you will be awarded half an extra credit point.

How to earn yourself an A

. Be accountable for your own actions . Be prepared, and participate . Read and follow instructions . Respect schedules and meet deadlines . Respect and be courteous to members of the classroom community, including fellow students. Calendar D2L WEBSITE: 1. Go to /http://d2l.arizona.edu/

2. Select the "Check that your browser is compatible" hyperlink. (That's step Number 2 in the student login instructions.)

3. Select the UA NetID Login button on the top left side of the screen.

4. Enter your UA NetID and password--this is the same stuff you use to get into your UA Web-mail.

5. Select the (+) symbol beside the Semester and Department names. Then select the hyper linked Course Name.

6. On the Course Home page, take a look at blue and red navigational bars along the top of your screen. Select “Content” to get to the Syllabus, etc. for your course. Week 1 Assignments: Zeitgeist Time Line

Monday August 20 Homework 1. Introduction, review syllabus 2. Meet your team members 3. Read Chapter 1 –Introduction to Fashion Create a team charter - make all rules for the Concepts, Fashion Theories, and semester; list all names, phone numbers & email Consumer Behavior Areas? each team member can develop - Individuals 4. (Individuals) A time line of the Zeitgeist skill level: For example - one member is good at using categories of events, wars, values, writing, another power-point... Discuss reason for attitude and dominate events from the achieving your team projects, potential conflicts and 1920s to the present. Due September 3 ground rules; meeting schedules, One member of (Go to checklist to see grading rubric) each team please place the completed team charter in your drop box. Please place everyone’s name that is Any articles or photos used for class must be involved with your team. identified as to the source, publication or website that it came from and the date. (APA Style)

Create & discuss a Team Charter Due August 27 Week 2 Assignments: Ch. 2 Cultural Influences on Consumer Behavior Monday –August 27 Homework: . Team Charter Due (place in drop box) 1. Read Ch.2

Work on Zeitgeist Time Line Week 3 Assignments

Team Monday September 3 Homework : Respond to Discussion Questions/Case Zeitgeist Time Line DUE (Place in drop box) Study posted by instructor. Chapter 1 & 2

The power point presentation should illustrate time events that would influence fashion. Beginning with the 1920s - Use a maximum of 10 power point slides

Week 4 Assignments

September 10 Homework : 1. Read Ch. 3 –The Creation and Diffusion of Fashion Consumer Culture Study for Quiz 1 (Chpts. 1 & 2 - Fashion Terms Handout) Week 5 Assignment:

September 17 Homework: 1. Quiz –1 (Chpts. 1 & 2 plus Fashion Term Handout) Complete reading of Ch. 3 (Open book )

Week 6 Assignments

September 24 Homework: Read Ch. 4 –Consumer Characteristics and Fashion Implications Individually respond to Discussion Questions on Chapter 3 posted by instructor Begin to Create a Fashion Notebook. (Remember, this is 15% of your grade.) Develop a collection of long-term predictions. State your target market. Due October 1. Fashion Notebook is an individual project due on December 10. Each part of the fashion notebook is Please use the vocabulary from handouts in broken down and certain items are due at different content: Dress Design, Pant Design, Skirt times Pleating, Collar & Neckline Design. (This should be only 200 to 500 words.) Predictions, Hypothesis, Dream Team - (See across column for details or click on link). Worth 6 points Create a hypothesis. Due October 1. (This should Due October 1 only be three to four sentences.) Remember to read handout on hypothesis, located in content.

Include a “dream team” of experts whom you would like to work with & be involved with you as a forecaster. State their credentials and justify. Due October 1 (50 -100 words).

Use on-line database (WSGN.edu), local retailers, professors, etc. Week 7 Assignments

Begin Ch. 5 Individual Consumer Dynamics: The October 1 Homework: Self (This is a very long chapter, so start reading it today.) Fashion Notebook: Predictions, Hypothesis & Dream Team DUE Week 8 Assignments:

Finish reading & review Ch. 5 October 8 Homework:

1. Prepare a distinctive color concept for your Fashion Notebook. Due 10/22. Answer & support: “What colors, hues or tones interact with your fashion predictions?” Example, if you predict a Latin influence in your fashion, then one of your colors might be matador red. 2. Develop ideas from different color forecasting services & industries

You can also be inspired by interior design, magazines, art galleries, movies, TV shows etc.

Example of Color Concept is in content. Week 9 Assignment

Team October 15 Homework: Respond to discussion questions posted by your Homework: Study for quiz on Ch 3-5. instructor. ch.4 & 5

1. Also study Handouts: dress design, pant design, collar design, etc. Week 10 Assignments October 22 Homework: Quiz 2 on Chpts. 3 -5, plus handouts

Read Chapter 6: Demographic subcultures: Age, Race, Ethnicity Week 11 Assignment Textile

October 29 Homework: 1. In your Fashion Notebook, name, discuss, and explain textiles that you predict will be Fashion notebook: Utilize what you have learned a trend for your demographic subculture. - from chapter 7. Describe what textiles you would 2. See across column for details or click on work with within your target market. Due 11/05 link.

 Example: if you choose a Latin theme with matador red for baby boomers:

o Textile might be satin or silk -because of the fabric’s shine softness; also, silk drapes and dyes well. Week 12 Assignment

November 5 Homework: Read Ch. 7 Demographics Subcultures: Income and Social class Color Concepts & Textile Trends DUE (Place in drop box.) Week 13 Assignment

November 12 Homework: Teams

Street Wear Fashion Paper is due 11/26. Go Street Wear Fashion Paper anywhere there is a scene and try to spot a fashion trend. Try to utilize a theory (trickle-down, -up or Go to Fourth Avenue clubs, and coffee houses, -across). etc.-- anywhere you can spot street fashion growing into a trend. Write a 500 –1,000 word Add to each other’s observations. Examples: paper

Tucson (Felicia Frontain): Observed knee-length Due November 26 shorts, very loose, small t-shirts & platform sandals. Mostly muted colors in La Encatada (Lifestyle Mall). Trend is toward very loose & natural fabrics. Most pants are now high waisted. Shoes more Teams: formal, with heels, etc. Respond to Discussion Questions posted by Baltimore (Larry Padilla): Mostly seersuckers instructor Chpts . 6-7 pants in the Harbor Place ( tourist hang-out), while polos and floral sun dresses. Did not observe a trend. Almost all classics. etc. Example of Street-wear Fashion in content Week 14 Assignment

November 19 Homework: Read Ch. 8: Psychographics :Personality, Attitudes, and Lifestyle Continue to develop Street-wear Fashion Paper

Week 15 Assignments

November 26 Homework: Read Ch. 9: Consumer Perceptions

Prepare for Quiz 3

Chapters 6-8 and handouts in content

Assignments: Teams Street-wear Fashion Paper. DUE (Place in drop box) Week 16 Assignment

December 3 Homework:

Read Ch. 10:Fashion communication & Ch. 11: Quiz 3 (Chpts. 6 & 8 plus Handouts) Individual and Household Decision Making Team Fashion notebook describes what sales forecasting techniques you will use as a forecaster (all described Respond to Discussion Questions posted by on handout in content. Please, in order to complete instructor. Ch. 9 your sales forecasting paper, read this section carefully.)

Sales Forecasting Paper

Gather information for your sales forecasting paper. It should involve 10 or more participants. Choose either focus groups or store intercept survey (quantitative) or (qualitative). Give examples of all questions asked and summarize the participant’s answers.

The paper should describe method used (focus groups, store intercepts (quantitative or qualitative). What did you learn from the survey & data gathered? Describe which sales forecasting method you would use to analyze your data. Would it be time series, correlation, regression techniques or a mixture of qualitative & quantitative techniques? You can review the techniques beginning on page 302 in your textbook. The paper is due December 10.

Final Week Assignment

December 12 Team

Sales Forecasting Paper Due: TBA Respond to Question posted by instructor

Team Evaluations – Due: TBA Quiz 4 (Chpts. 9 , 10 & 11 plus Handout)

If you have finished reading the syllabus and understand it and email to me that you have completed and learned your syllabus you will be given .5 extra credit point.

Administrative:

Academic honesty is highly valued at University of Arizona. A student must always submit work that represents his or her original words or ideas. If words or ideas that do not represent the student's original work are used, the student must cite all relevant sources. The student should also make clear the extent to which such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source.

If I detect wording in any of your work that does not appear to be your own, I will exercise my right as your instructor to check various Web search engines and library databases to locate the source of the wording in question. If portions of your wording are found to be copied from another source without proper attribution, the result may be a failing grade for the assignment or even the entire course if the offense is particularly severe.

The course abides by university’s Student Code of Academic Conduct policies against plagiarism, etc.: http://studpubs.web.arizona.edu/policies/cacaint.htm

This course will follow university guidelines regarding the confidentiality of student records. For details, please see http://www.registarar.arizona.edu/ferpa/default.htm

As per university policy, students registered with the Disability Resource Center should submit appropriate documentation when requesting reasonable accommodations: http://drc.arizona.edu/instructor/syllabus-statement.shtml

Instructor's Note: In order to allow you to plan ahead for your semester activities, I will make every effort to stay on schedule. However, the following class schedule as well as the course requirements and procedures are subject to changes caused by unforeseen events.