APPAREL, MERCHANDISING AND DESIGN PROGRAM AREA
205 Carver Complex-Hobson Wing
(256) 372-5422
PURPOSE
The undergraduate major in Apparel, Merchandising and Design promotes and enhances the
development of knowledge and skills requisite for continuing personal and professional development
throughout the life cycle. The program enables students to develop competencies in the ecological, sociopsychological and economic aspects of apparel and interior design production, distribution, and consumption.
The program is organized to provide a general understanding of textiles, clothing, fashion and related
areas, while offering diversification through concentrations in Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Design. As
structured, the programs provide unique opportunities and experiences to assist students in becoming creative,
efficient and contributing members of society and the Family and Consumer Sciences profession. The
curriculum offers the training necessary to meet the demands of the apparel and home furnishings industries, as
well as retailing establishments associated with these industries. Students are prepared for jobs in apparel design,
production, and merchandising, and associated public relations jobs.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the undergraduate program in Apparel, Merchandising and Design are to:
1.
develop professional competencies in students which enable them to enter graduate and professional
schools and professional careers related to the broad spectrum of apparel design, textiles and
merchandising,
2.
provide support instruction for minors in other disciplines who desire to pursue careers related to
clothing, and merchandising,
3.
provide resource services to individuals in the urban and rural community, including parents, teachers,
department store personnel and textile employees.
PROGRAM REQUIREM ENTS
In addition to the academic course requirements, all students majoring in Apparel, Merchandising and
Design must complete at least 500 hours of practical work in Apparel, Merchandising and Design, including
completing AMD 411 – Directed Field Experience before graduating from Alabama A&M University.
APPAREL, MERCHANDISING AND DESIGN MAJOR
First Semester
ORI 101 Survival Skills
1
ENG 101 Composition I
MTH 112 Pre Calculus Algebra
BIO 101 General Biology
BIO 101L General Biology Lab
HIS 101 World History I
FCS 101 Intro to the Profession
Fashion Design Concentration
128 Credit Hours
Freshman Year
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
2
1
ENG 102 Composition II
3
HIS
History Course
3
ART 101 Art Appreciation
3
NHM 102L Principles of Nutrition
1
AMD 104L Art and Design
3
HED 101
Nutrition Today OR
1
NHM 103 Personal & Comm. Health
15
Sem. Hrs
3
3
3
3
3
2
(2)
17
1
ENG 103 may be taken by international students.
ENG 104 may be taken by international students.
2
First Semester
ENG 203 World Literature I OR
ENG 201 Survey of English Lit.
CHE 111 Applied Chemistry I
CHE 111L Applied Chemistry I Lab
ART 110 Fundamentals of Drawing
AMD 201L Basic Clothing Construction
AMD 203 Consumer Asp. Of Clothing
First Semester
ART 309 Figure Drawing
ENG 205 General Speech
AMD 303 Fashion Merchandising I
AMD 307L Flat Pattern Design
AMD 315 Consumer Textiles I
Sophomore Year
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
Sem. Hrs.
3
ENG 204 World Literature II OR
3
(3)
ENG 202 Survey of English Lit. II
(3)
3
PSY 201 General Psychology OR
3
1
SOC 201 Intro to Sociology
(3)
3
ECO 200 Basic Economics
3
3
ART 209 Composition with Drawing
3
3
AMD 204L Clothing Throughout the Life Cycle 3
16
AMD 208 Ready-to-Wear Apparel Anal.
2
17
Junior Year
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
3
MDT 252 AutoCAD for Apparel
3
AMD 306 Fashion Merchandising II
3
AMD 302 Historic Costume
3
AMD 316L Consumer Textiles II
3
ART 406 Fashion Illustration
15
Sem. Hrs.
3
3
3
3
3
15
Summer
AMD 411
Directed Field Experience
First Semester
FCS 420 Senior Seminar
AMD 405L Functional Clothing
AMD 410L Apparel CAD
AMD 419 Merchd. & Design Seminar
Electives
6
Senior Year
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
1
AMD 308 Visual Merchandising
3
AMD 404L Adv. Clothing & Design
3
AMD 406L Draping
2
HDF 314 Family and Society
3
HDF 312 Family Resource Mgt.
12
Sem. Hrs.
3
3
3
3
3
15
APPAREL, MERCHANDISING AND DESIGN MAJOR
Fashion Merchandising Concentration
128 Credit Hours
Freshman
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
Sem.Hrs.
2
1
ENG 102 Composition II
3
3
HIS
History Course
3
3
ART 101 Art Appreciation
3
1
NHM 102L Principles of Nutrition
3
3
AMD 104L Art and Design
3
1
NHM 103 Nutrition Today OR
2
3
HED 101 Personal and Comm. Health
2
15
17
1
ENG 103 may be taken by international students.
2
ENG 104 may be taken by international students.
Sophomore
First Semester
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
Sem.Hrs.
ENG 203 World Literature I OR
3
ENG 204 World Literature II OR
3
ENG 201 Survey of English Literature I
(3)
ENG 202 Survey of English Literature II
(3)
CHE 111 Applied Chemistry I
3
SOC 201 Intro to Sociology OR
3
CHE 111L Applied Chemistry Lab
1
PSY 201 General Psychology
(3)
ART 111 Two Dimensional Design
3
HDF 314 Family and Society
3
AMD 203 Consumer Aspects of Clothing
3
AMD 204L Clothing Throughout the Life Cycle 3
AMD 201L Basic Clothing Construction
3
AMD 208 Ready-to-Wear Apparel Anal.
2
16
ECO 231 Principles of Macroeconomics
3
17
Junior Year
First Semester
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
Sem. Hrs.
ACC 203 Intro. to Accounting I
3
ECO 232 Principles of Microeconomics
3
MKT 315 Principles of Marketing
3
AMD 302 Historic Costume
3
MKT 317 Retail Management
3
AMD 306 Fashion Merchandising II
3
AMD 303 Fashion Merchandising I
3
AMD 308 Visual Merchandising
3
AMD 307L Flat Pattern Design
3
AMD 316L Consumer Textiles II
3
AMD 315 Consumer Textiles I
3
15
18
First Semester
ORI 101 Survival Skills
1
ENG 101 Composition I
BIO 101 General Biology I
BIO 101L General Biology I Lab
HIS 101 World History I
FCS 101 Intro. to the Profession
MTH 112 Pre Calculus Algebra
Summer
AMD 411
Directed Field Experience
First Semester
ENG 205 General Speech
MKT 323 Promotion Management
FCS 420 Senior Seminar
MKT 332 Merchandising Techniques
AMD 419 Merch. & Design Seminar
6
Senior Year
Sem. Hrs. Second Semester
Sem.Hrs.
3
MKT 477 Marketing Management
3
3
AMD 404L Advanced Clothing & Design
3
1
Electives
3
3
HDF 312 Family Resource Mgt.
3
2
12
12
APPAREL, MERCHANDISING AND DESIGN MINOR
Non-majors who wish to pursue a minor in fashion design or fashion merchandising must meet the
requirements of 18 semester hours. From the listing below, students may select a concentration through
consultation with faculty in the area.
Course#
AMD 104L
AMD 203
AMD 204L
AMD 201L
AMD 206L
AMD 208
AMD 302
AMD 303
AMD 304
AMD 305
AMD 306
AMD 307L
AMD 308
AMD 312L
AMD 314L
AMD 315
AMD 316L
AMD 404L
AMD 405L
AMD 406L
AMD 407
AMD 411
AMD 413L
AMD 414
AMD 416
AMD 417
AMD 418
AMD 419
AMD 421
AMD 422
Course Title
Art and Design
Consumer Aspects of Clothing
Clothing Throughout the Life Cycle
Basic Clothing Construction
Interior Design
Ready to Wear Apparel Analysis
Historic Costume
Fashion Merchandising I
Cultural Aspects of Clothing
Housing and Interiors
Fashion Merchandising II
Flat Pattern Design
Visual Merchandising
Interior Furnishings
Decorative Accents
Consumer Textiles I
Consumer Textiles II
Advanced Clothing and Design
Functional Clothing Design
Draping
Advanced Interior Design
Directed Field Experience
Lighting and Wiring
Interior Space Planning
Contemporary Design
Professional Practices I
Professional Practices II
Merchandising and Design Seminar
Problems and Independent Study
Fashion Study Tour
Sem. Hrs.
3
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
6
3
3
3
3
3
2
1-3
1-3
COURSE DESCRIP TIONS
AMD 104L
Art and Design – 3 hrs. A study of the art elements and principles and their application to everyday
life. Prerequisite: None (Offered Spring)
AMD 201L
Basic Clothing Construction - 3 hrs. One, 1-hr. lecture and two, 2-hr. lab periods per week.
Experience in the development of basic skills in clothing construction. Open to male and female students
and other adults with little or no experience in clothing construction. Prerequisite: None (Offered Fall)
AMD 203
Consumer Aspects of Clothing - 3 hrs. An introduction to clothing and textiles, including wardrobe
planning, maintenance, and coordination; clothing selection criteria; clothing for the world of work;
textile classification; and use and care of textile products. Prerequisite: None (Offered Fall)
AMD 204L
Clothing Throughout the Life Cycle - 3 hrs. One, 1-hr. lecture and two 2-hr. lab periods per week. A
study of the economic, social, and psychological aspects of clothing as they relate to the acquisition, use,
and care of clothing for family members. Domestic and commercial sewing machines are utilized.
Prerequisites: AMD 104L, AMD 201L, AMD 203 (Offered Spring)
AMD 206L
Interior Design - 3 hrs. One, 1-hr. lecture and two, 2-hr. lab periods per week. The application
of the elements and principles of art to the planning, selection, and arrangement of household furniture
and furnishings. A survey of traditional, contemporary, and modern trends in interior and exterior
house planning is provided.
Prerequisite: AMD 104L (Offered
Spring, Odd Years)
AMD 208
Ready-to-Wear Apparel Analysis - 2 hrs. An industry approach to the evaluation of quality in ready-towear apparel. Provides an understanding of what constitutes apparel quality, how it is achieved, and the
factors that affect cost and quality.
Prerequisite: None (Offered Spring)
AMD 302
Historic Costume – 3 hrs. A comprehensive study of dress throughout periods of history, including
the cultural and economic factors associated with the development, adoption, and abandonment of styles.
Prerequisite: None (Offered Spring)
AMD 303
Fashion Merchandising I - 3 hrs. A study of the American and European fashion industries from
production of raw materials to the distribution of finished goods and their impact on the international
economy. An understanding of the language of fashion, fashion designers, and retailers is included.
Prerequisite: None (Offered Fall)
AMD 304
Cultural Aspects of Clothing - 3 hrs. A study of clothing as a social, psychological, and economic
force, including the study of cultural patterns, behavioral reactions, changing needs, and
technological developments. Prerequisite: None (Offered Spring, Even Years)
AMD 305
Housing and Interiors – 3 hrs. A study of housing and living environments with emphasis on
construction, arrangement, use and care of furniture and equipment. Prerequisite: None (Offered Fall)
AMD 306
Fashion Merchandising II- 3 hrs. An examination of basic concepts and practices of retail
management and their relationship to the world of fashion. Activities involved in the merchandising of
fashion goods, including analyzing and forecasting consumer demand and planning promotional strategies
are emphasized. Prerequisite: AMD 303 (Offered Spring)
AMD 307L
Flat Pattern Design - 3 hrs. One 1-hour lecture and two 2-hour lab periods per week. An in- depth study
of the basic principles of flat pattern manipulations and their applications to apparel design.
Prerequisites: AMD 104L, AMD 201L, AMD 203 and AMD 204L (Offered Fall)
AMD 308
Visual Merchandising - 3 hrs. The study of creative techniques in the display of retail
merchandise and their effective application to the enhancement of product salability. Prerequisite: AMD
104L (Offered Spring)
AMD 312L
Interior Furnishings - 3 hrs. One, 1-hr. lecture and two, 2-hr. lab periods per week. A study of the
design, materials, construction, and production of interior components and accessories from both a
contemporary and an historical perspective. Prerequisites: AMD 104L and AMD 201L
AMD 315
Consumer Textiles I - 3 hrs. A study of fibers, yarns, structures, color, and finishing techniques
of textiles and textile products with emphasis on the selection of fabrics for specific consumer end
uses. Prerequisite: None (Offered Fall)
AMD 316L
Consumer Textiles II - 3 hrs. One, 1-hr. lecture and two, 2-hr. lab periods per week.
Advanced study of textile fibers, fabrics and products utilizing laboratory testing techniques and safety
procedures employed in the evaluation of textiles for specific end uses. Prerequisite: AMD 315
(Offered Spring)
AMD 404L
Advanced Clothing and Design - 3 hrs. One 1-hour lecture and two 2-hour lab periods per week.
A study of techniques in methods of fitting, designing, and advanced clothing
construction. Designing and construction of garments for individual figure types and pattern- making
through the flat pattern method are emphasized. Prerequisites: AMD 204L and AMD 307L (Offered
Spring)
AMD 405L
Functional Clothing Design – 3 hrs. One 1-hour lecture and two 2-hour lab periods per week.
Development of apparel from a problem-solving perspective to meet aesthetic and functional needs in
regard to exceptional proportions, rehabilitation, activity, performing arts, and new technology.
Prerequisites: AMD 104L and AMD 201L (Offered Fall)
AMD 406L
Draping - 3 hrs. One 1-hour lecture and two 2-hour lab periods per week. The principles and techniques
of draping and dress designing based on the manipulation of fabric on a form. Prerequisites: AMD
104L, AMD 201L, and AMD 307L (Offered Spring)
AMD 410L
Apparel CAD - 3 hrs. One, 1-hr. lecture and two, 2-hr. lab periods per week. Hands-on experience
in the application of AutoCAD principles to apparel design, pattern making, and grading. Prerequisites:
MDT 252 and AMD 307L (Offered Fall)
AMD 411
Directed Field Experience - 6 hrs. Eight weeks of off-campus, supervised experience in a department
store, agency, business establishment, or other approved setting Prerequisite: Permission of advisor
(Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer)
AMD 419
Merchandising and Design Seminar - 2 hrs. A study and discussion of contemporary social, economic,
and political trends and issues of significance to the textiles and apparel industries, including an
examination of future directions for the profession. Personal and professional entry-level skills and
practical experiences are explored, as well. Prerequisite: Open to senior-level majors and minors on
approval of advisor. (Offered Fall)
AMD 421
Problems and Independent Study - 1-3 hrs. Special problem selected and solved by the students.
Independent study, research, projects, or special field experience under area supervision and evaluation is
required. Prerequisite: Open to majors and minors on approval of advisor. (Offered Fall, Spring,
and Summer)
AMD 422
Fashion Study Tour - 1-3 hrs. A study of the many facets of the fashion industry, including tours of
primary and secondary suppliers, apparel manufacturers, designer showrooms, fashion presses,
accessory showrooms, buying offices, testing laboratories, pattern companies, merchandising
centers, museums, mansions, and so forth. Pre- and post-tour seminars and written assignments are
required. Prerequisite: None (Offered Spring).