Department of Consumer, Apparel & Retail Studies
CRS 231: Introduction to Consumer and Apparel Retailing
Spring 2014 (3 Credit Hours)
COURSE INFORMATION
Meeting Time/Place:
Class: T, R; 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Location: Gram 424
Instructor:
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Web Access:
Areti Tsitsakis
Stone 202
Tuesdays, 2:30pm - 3:30pm and by appointment
agtsitsa@uncg.edu
www.blackboard.uncg.edu
Course Description:
The course will provide an understanding of the interaction of the consumer with apparel, retail, and
associated industries. The course will present an overview of industry processes from raw material
to consumption for apparel and other consumer products. Career opportunities within the industries
will also be explored.
Required Text(s):
 The Business of Fashion: Designing, Manufacturing, and Marketing; 4th Edition; Authors:
Leslie Davis Burns, Kathy K. Mullet, and Nancy O. Bryant (ISBN: 978-1-60901-110-9)
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 Analyze and explain the organization and operation of the U.S. fashion industry
 Investigate the practical application of industry methods and strategies
 Recognize and discuss the proper terminology from the apparel, textile, and related industries
 Explicate how apparel and accessories are designed, produced, and distributed
 Describe and appreciate career opportunities within the apparel, textile, and related industries
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EXPECTATIONS
Attendance:
You are expected to attend each class session. Attendance, punctuality, and productive participation
are required. After three (3) unexcused absences a student's grade will be lowered. Being tardy or
leaving early is not acceptable, and will be marked as an absence. The instructor reserves the right
to drop a student from the course after four (4) unexcused absences.
It is the student's responsibility to keep track of his or her absences of any type (excused or
unexcused). Excused absences require documentation. Absences for religious holidays and certain
university functions (like an athlete participating in a game/match) will be excused, but students are
expected to notify class instructor at least two weeks prior to the planned absence, and work due may
be expected to be turned in before the planned absence. The student is responsible for all material
covered in class, regardless of the reason for the absence. This may include assigned readings,
lecture and discussion, visuals, slides, handouts, and videos.
Lectures/Discussions:
All of the following are expected before and during class:
 Come prepared (see attached calendar for reading assignments, due dates, etc.)
 Refrain from private conversations, as all discussions are public and for the benefit of the
entire class, and private conversations are disruptive (you will be asked to leave the class)
 Participate (described in more detail below)
 Cell phones are to be turned off BEFORE entering class
 Cell phones and computers are not to be used for personal communication, entertainment, or
web browsing during class: NO TEXTING, TWEETING, FACEBOOKING, OR ONLINE
CHATTING
 Food and drinks are allowed during class as long as they do not create a disruption (i.e. emit
potent scents, make noise, etc.)
Participation:
During class discussions students are expected to participate (i.e. speaking up during class is part of
the participation grade). A student actively participating does the following:
 Prepares for class by doing assigned readings and assignments (again, see attached calendar)
 Maintains a positive attitude and treats other students and the professor with respect
 Shares ideas, experiences, beliefs and knowledge during class sessions
 Questions for deeper meaning and understanding
 Uses discussion, debate, questioning, evaluation, etc. to gain greater insight into the content
 Is open minded when he/she considers various view points
 Listens when another student is speaking
If students are generally not participating on a particular day, then students will be called upon by
name at random to comment and/or respond to questions. Students who actively participate with
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both some frequency and with comments/questions/ideas/etc. that add significant value to the topics
of class discussion MAY receive a "bump" in their overall final grade. The bump will be equivalent to
one plus (+). For example, if a student will be receiving a "B-" (see the grading scale below) in the
course, and he or she receives a bump, the grade will be raised to a "B." Likewise, if a student will be
receiving a "C+" in the course, and he or she receives a bump, the grade will be raised to a "B-."
Assignments:
Content is delivered through lectures/discussions, participation, article reviews, course projects, and
guest speakers from industry (when possible). Although there may be additional work assigned
throughout the semester and/or in class tasks, the major assignments are described briefly below.
Detailed information will be given at a later date.
 Business Portfolio
- Students will be individually (or as a group) responsible for a business portfolio that
will consist of the development of and strategy for a mock apparel company. The
components of the portfolio will correlate with the topics we will be studying. As
such, the student(s) may choose to develop the portfolio over the course of the
semester (and retain feedback from the professor, if desired) prior to turning in the
assignment.
- At the time when the portfolio is due, students will be randomly called to present their
portfolios to the class.
- Learning Objectives achieved by this assignment:
 Analyze and explain the organization and operation of companies in the fashion
industry
 Investigate the practical application of industry methods and strategies
 Utilize and discuss industry terminology
 Explicate how apparel, accessories, and home fashions are designed, produced,
and distributed
 Quizzes (1 for each chapter)
- At the end of each chapter there will be an online quiz on blackboard at the end of that
week, which will be available from Thursday after class until Sunday evening.
- Students may complete the quiz at any time after class on Thursday until Sunday
night; however, blackboard will not allow students to start the exam after 11:59pm;
therefore, students should plan to begin the exam well before 11:59pm.
- Quizzes will cover material from the chapters and will serve as a review for the exams
(the format of the questions will be very similar to exam questions).
- Students make retake the quiz several times to learn from their mistakes, etc.
- Learning Objectives achieved by this assignment:
 Recognize and utilize industry terminology
 Analyze realistic industry issues, problems, and scenarios related to the subject
matter
 Apply various methods and strategies discussed in class to issues, problems,
and scenarios that realistically occur in the industry
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It is the student's responsibility to edit and proofread all work before turning it in. Additionally,
assignments may NOT be submitted late. All work must be completed on time and in the manner
prescribed.
EXAMS AND GRADING
Exams:
The textbook will be a very useful tool for this course; however, it is not the only source of
information for the course. It is important that the student listens and takes notes during class.
Lectures/discussions are intended to enrich/supplement the readings, activities, and assignments, and
are NOT intended to summarize or substitute for the readings. Exams are designed to assess the
student's knowledge of ALL of the components of the course and as such, material on the exams will
come from the following:
 Class text and any other reading materials
 Lectures/discussions
 Assignments
 Activities
Please note, make-up exams will NOT be permitted.
Assignments: Weights and Points Possible:
Assignment
Percent
of Grade
20%
10%
12%
20%
20%
20%
100%
Portfolio Project
Participation
Quizzes
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3 (Final Exam)
TOTAL
Grading:
A+ 97% -100%
A
93% – 96%
A90% – 92%
B+
87% – 89%
B
83% – 86%
B80% – 82%
C+
77% – 79%
C
CD+
D
DF
73% – 76%
70% – 72%
67% – 69%
63% – 66%
60% – 62%
Below 60%
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Points
Possible
100
50
60
100
100
100
510
Extra Credit:
As the semester progresses, opportunities MAY arise for extra credit. If so, these opportunities will
be discussed as they arise during the course of the semester. Furthermore, as discussed above,
frequent quality participation during class may result in a "bump" of to a student's grade.
Academic Integrity:
The UNCG Academic Integrity Policy states; “If knowledge is to be gained and properly evaluated, it
must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations are
incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated.”
By choosing to enroll in this course and by completing the assignments, projects, examinations, etc.,
you are by default held to the standards of the Academic Integrity Policy, and you are subject to
sanctions should you violate the policy in any manner.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Accommodation:
UNCG seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students requesting
accommodations based on a disability must be registered with the Office of Disability Services in 215
Elliott University Center, 334-5440, http://ods.dept.uncg.edu/, ods@uncg.edu.
Syllabus Amendments:
The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus as needed. Students will be notified verbally
and in written form (either by email, blackboard, or a handout) should such amendments occur.
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