Course Syllabus Spring 2014
CRS 255: Consumer Behavior in Apparel and Related Industries
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1-1:50
Graham Building 209
INSTRUCTOR: Michelle Childs
OFFICE: Stone 357
EMAIL: mlchilds@uncg.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday 10:00-11:00 or by appointment
REQUIRED READING: Solomon, M. R., & Robolt, N. J. (2009). Consumer behavior in
fashion (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Columbus, Ohio.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Study of consumers and consumer choices, big and small,
right and wrong, in today’s complex, ever-changing marketplace. Consumer rights,
responsibilities, and diversity considered. Basis for informed and wise consumer
decisions.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Understand fashion concepts, theories related to consumer behavior, and major
concepts in consumer behavior.
• Understand cultural, sociological, and psychological concepts related to consumer
behavior.
• Describe consumer characteristics, motivations and values, and concepts related
to the self.
• Describe and understand demographic (age, race, ethnicity, income and social
class) and psychographic aspects of consumers.
• Gain an understanding of concepts related to fashion communication and
decision-making.
• Identify and analyze consumption related ethical issues related to consumer
protection, the environmental impact of consumption, and the role of government
in these issues.
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EXPECTATIONS: Students are expected to attend class, participate in class discussions
and complete all course assignments. No late assignment will be accepted. Students are
expected to treat everyone with respect at all times. There is no texting, using social
media, or use of laptops in-class. If these devices are used, the instructor reserves the
right to deduct class participation points. In case of emergency, please step outside to use
your cell phone.
ASSIGNMENTS
Visual Journals: The first visual journal covers Section 1 (Chapters 1-3), the second
journal covers Section II (Chapters 4-9), the third visual journal covers Section III
(Chapters 10-13), and the fourth visual journal covers Section IV (Chapters 14-15).
Students will be broken up into groups of 5-6 and as part of the assignment will create a
visual journals on Pinterest. Students will be evaluated on their use of images and
explanations of why the images were chosen and how it relates to course concepts
explained in each of the sections. Students will also have to explain the percentage of
contribution of each student in their group. Based on student’s written explanation of
contribution, assignment grades may be altered per person in the group. Visual journals
are due at 1pm of the day the journal is due.
Exams: There will be three in-class exams. The first exam will cover Chapters 1-5, the
second exam will cover Chapters 6-10, and the final exam will cover Chapters 11-15.
Exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer. Exams will cover
course readings and major concepts discussed in class.
Class Participation: Participation points can be obtained two ways. Firstly, in-class
quizzes will take place that cover major course concepts. In-class quizzes will take place
in most classes either at the beginning, middle, or end of class. Secondly, in accordance
with the chapter being covered, there will be periodic in-class assignments. Attendance
is required to obtain in-class participation points.
Extra Credit: Based on the needs of the class and opportunities to participate in outside
activities, there may be opportunities to gain extra credit points.
Available Class Points
Visual Journals (40%)
Visual Journal # 1
Visual Journal # 2
Visual Journal # 3
Visual Journal # 4
Exams (45%)
Exam # 1
Exam # 2
Exam # 3
In-Class Participation (15%)
Total Points:
100 Points
100 Points
100 Points
100 Points
150 Points
150 Points
150 Points
150 Points
1000 Points
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Grading Scale
A+ = 97 – 100 B+ = 87 – 89 C+ = 77 – 79
A = 93 – 96 B = 83 – 86 C = 73 – 76
A- = 90 – 92 B- = 80 – 82 C- = 70 – 72
D+ = 67 – 69 F = Below 60
D = 63 – 66
D- = 60 – 62
AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT & ACCOMODATIONS: 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 located in 215 EUC. www.uncg.edu/ods.
CARS STATEMENT OF 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”.
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE: All students enrolled in this course are expected to know
and abide by the UNCG Academic Honor Code. See
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/ for a statement.
NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to alter the syllabus if necessary.
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Date
Class Topic
Readings
Assignments / Notes
Week 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Fashion
January 13, 15, 17 Concepts, Theories, and Consumer
Behavior
Week 2
Chapter 2: Cultural Influences on
Jan 22, 24
Consumer Behavior
Read Chapter 1
Read Chapter 2
Jan 20th Dr. Martin
Luther King Day
Week 3
Jan 27, 29, 31
Read Chapter 3
Jan 31st Work on group
project
Week 4
Feb 3, 5, 7
Chapter 3: The Creation and
Diffusion of Fashion Consumer
Culture
Chapter 4 and 5: Individual
Consumer Dynamics
Read Chapter 4
and 5
Feb 3rd Section I Visual
Journal Due
Week 5
Feb 10, 12, 14
Chapter 6: Demographic
Subcultures
Read Chapter 6
February 10th Exam 1
(Chapters 1-5)
Week 6
Feb 17, 19, 21
Chapter 7: Demographic
Subcultures
Read Chapter 7
Week 7
Feb 24, 26, 28
Chapter 8: Psychographics
Read Chapter 8
Week 8
March 3, 5, 7
Chapter 9: Consumer Perceptions
Read Chapter 9
Week 9
March 7th Work on
group project
Spring Break
Week 10
March 17, 19, 21
Chapter 10: Fashion
Communication
Read Chapter 10
March 17th Section II
Visual Journal Due
Week 11
March 24, 26, 28
Chapter 11: Individual and
Household Decision Making
Read Chapter 11
March 24th Exam 2
(Chapters 6-10)
Week 12
April 7, 9, 11
Chapter 12: Group Influence and
Fashion Opinion Leadership
Chapter 13: Buying and Disposing
Chapter 14: Ethics, Social
Responsibility, and Environmental
Issues
Chapter 15: The Role of
Government and Business in
Consumer Protection
Read Chapter 12
and 13
April 11th Section III
Visual Journal Due
Read Chapter 14
April 18th Spring Holiday
Read Chapter 15
April 25th Exam Review
April 25th Section IV
Visual Journal Due
Week 13
April 14, 16
Week 14
April 21, 23, 25
Week 15
April 28
Final Exam
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