C2 = BOK
Two Capstone Classes Meet the AAFCS Body of Knowledge
AAFCS 2013 Putting Research into Practice Rounds
Kathleen R. Smith, Ed.D., Laurie Apple, Ph.D., Leigh Southward, Ph.D., CFCS
University of Arkansas
Session Description:
One of the Cross-cutting threads of the Body of Knowledge (BOK) for Family and Consumer Sciences is “basic human needs”. Clothing is
one of these needs. Guided by the seven cross-cutting themes of the AAFCS BOK, two capstone courses (C2) in Apparel Studies help
prepare students for careers and/or further study.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how the AAFCS Body of Knowledge applies to Apparel and Textiles University Curriculum.
2. Describe assessments for the AAFCS Body of Knowledge in Apparel and Textile courses.
Program Outline:
A. Review AAFCS Body of Knowledge (BOK)
1. Human Systems Theory: APST majors take a common core of courses from the Human Environmental Sciences curriculum
including a one-hour Orientation to the Profession class and a 3-hour Family Relations class. Students learn about the
integrated nature of HES and the family as a primary social, financial, and economic system.
2. Capacity Building: Students work in groups to complete assignments. They often comment that what they’ve learned in
Family Relations about group and family dynamics helps them in these upper level capstone courses.
3. Wellness: Body image, fit, and sizing are current buzz words in the Clothing and Textiles industries, and students in these
capstone courses are mindful of the importance of these factors in product development and in merchandising.
4. Global Interdependence: Various consumer behaviors and consumer groups are covered in pre-requisite courses for the
capstone courses, as well as, sourcing, and vender relationships.
5. Appropriate Use of Technology: Students learn basic computer skills and several software programs throughout the
Apparel Studies curriculum. Courses include assignments for apparel construction, design, textile testing, and patternmaking.
6. Resource Development and Sustainability: The culminating projects in both capstone courses require that students plan,
implement, and evaluate resources for designing and developing items of apparel for sale, and for opening an apparel
retail operation.
7. Public Policy Development and Analysis: In the pre-requisite courses for these senior-level capstone courses, students are
assigned case studies that deal with global trade issues and government regulations, and how public policy is formed and
changed. In the Orientation course, students must choose one of the AAFCS public policy initiatives and take a position
supporting that policy.
B. Two Capstone Courses in an Apparel Studies Curriculum (C2)
Students complete their core requirements in the Apparel Studies program at the University of Arkansas, spending many
hours in a classroom environment learning the foundations of their specializations. There is a need for students to have a
closer viewpoint to the reality of the industry they are about to enter. This need was addressed in the form of two capstone
classes, Advanced Apparel Production and Merchandising Applications for the Apparel Industry. These classes bring industry
into the classroom utilizing real-time projects. Assessment is mastered through semester long projects which are visually and
orally presented upon completion. The tools utilized by undergraduates in core, capstone classes bring them closer to the
corporate world through the use of a simulated and real merchandising/promotional and product development class projects.
ASSESSMENT for C2 = BOK
Students are able to utilize the theories taught as well as learn directly from industry professionals, transferring classroom practice into the
corporate real world. Many merchandising students have ambitions to go into business for themselves and the capstone class allows that
individual the opportunity to experience firsthand the requirements of starting a new business. The business plan developed in the class is
the foundation for a more complete business plan which would be reviewed and approved by investors. This course gives the young
entrepreneur an advantage when opening their own store. The advantage of a merchandising capstone class during the student’s senior
year has proven to be a true stepping stone into corporate or entrepreneurial environments. Apparel production students choose to work
in product development gain experience in pattern and prototype development in the apparel production class which is the groundwork for
entry level positions into the apparel production career path. Graduates are successful in obtaining positions in product development
departments at the corporate level based upon their classroom experiences, enabling them to be successful in their professional careers.
Students build upon their academic program of study using real world, industry based techniques, giving them the opportunity to develop,
and implement their skills at the corporate production or merchandising level.
Capstone Classes in Merchandising and Product Development
MERCHANDISING APPLICATIONS CAPSTONE CLASS: Senior level merchandising students in a capstone merchandising class are given
the task of researching and developing a working business plan for a specialty store concept. The capstone class builds upon entry level and integrated HES
course concepts to develop an ideal store utilizing coursework in consumer behavior, merchandising concepts, visual merchandising, and merchandising
math. The project involves the development of a business plan for a new retail store and is divided into six modules: 1) market analysis; 2) merchandising;
3) advertising and promotion; 4) operations; 5) financing; and 6) story board, synopsis and oral presentation. Assessments are mastered through project
completion, oral and visual presentation. Assessment for the project consists of three forms of information: 1) a written report; 2) a store layout board;
and 3) an oral presentation. In addition, Peer Evaluations are completed by each group member on their team performance.
ADVANCED APPAREL PRODUCTION CAPSTONE CLASS: Senior level apparel studies students in a capstone apparel production class
are given the task of researching and developing a garment/s for a specific end user. The capstone class builds upon entry level and integrated HES course
concepts to develop an apparel production project utilizing content in the following courses: introduction to apparel production, apparel production/flat
pattern, quality assessment and textiles. The project involves the development of a pattern and final product/prototype based on specific criteria for the
end user. The student must complete research based on the target market, fit specifications, fabrications and cost. Assessments are mastered through
project completion, oral and visual presentation. Assessment for the project involves four areas: 1) a research/trend report; 2) a final pattern for the
product; 3) a completed sewn garment and/or prototype, and 4) an oral presentation to the industry representatives.
PROJECTS ARE DESIGNED TO UTILIZE THE AAFCS BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
C2 = BOK #1 HUMAN SYSTEMS THEORY: Students learn about the integrated nature of HES and the family as a primary social, financial,
and economic system prior to completing the senior merchandising and apparel production capstone courses.
C2 = BOK #2 CAPACITY BUILDING: The merchandising capstone course has students working in teams of three to four to strategize a
store concept from start to finish. Students are assigned to and work with the same group for the entire semester. Each group is
responsible for submitting both individual and group assignments. Each person is peer reviewed at the end of the class by the members of
their group for accountability to the group during the semester.
C2 = BOK #3 WELLNESS: BODY IMAGE, FIT AND SIZING: Apparel Production students gain an appreciation for correct fit and sizing of
patterns in final products and their perception of body image based on a 3D body scan of either their own body or the specific end user
body specifications.
C2 = BOK #4 GLOBAL INTERDEPENDENCE: Both merchandising and apparel production capstone classes target a different company each
semester with the goal of incorporating the expertise of industry professionals for guidance in the student projects. This type of project
allows students to gain an understanding of the real world workings. Merchandising: developing and operating a specialty store, complete
with actual locations, rent, sourcing of merchandise, budgeting and promotion. Apparel Production with actual end user specifications,
sourcing of fabrications, trims and project execution.
C2 = BOK #5 APPROPRIATE USE OF TECHNOLOGY: All work is performed electronically, including creation of a digital CD of the
promotional packet which can be used for marketing the store concept. PowerPoint presentation formats are utilized for final presentation
of the project. Merchandising utilizes basic computer software is throughout the course from excel formatting of buying and financial
plans to drawing software to complete merchandising floor plans. Apparel Production work is performed electronically, including creation
of a digital body scan which can be imported into the pattern making software to analyze proper fit. Basic computer software is utilized in
the course for drafting cost analysis and trend research presentations.
C2= BOK #6
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY: Merchandising incorporates business partner who shares facts and
information with the students about their organization to expand upon develop a completely new concept store or add departments to
existing stores. Industry leadership is crucial in the developmental phases of the project. Apparel Production business partners share facts
and information with the students about their expectations and specifications for the development of an apparel product. Industry
leadership is crucial in the motivation and developmental phases of the project.
C2= BOK #7 PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS: The merchandising business plan developed in the class is the foundation for
a more complete business plan which would be reviewed and approved by investors. This course gives the young entrepreneur an
advantage when opening their own store. Several graduates from the apparel program have been successful in opening their own business
upon graduation, based upon the project completed in the capstone course. Their classroom expertise during undergraduate academic
program enables them to be successful in their new careers. The apparel production industry is a global industry that relies on fair
business relationships in order for effective and efficient production to occur. Students in this capstone course become aware of the
hurdles that may hinder their product development due to possible trade issues and/or government regulations. This could be from
analyzing the use of imported vs. domestically produced fabric to the fit specifications used to best represent a wide range of body types,
shapes and sizes. This course gives a student interested in pursuing a career in product development an advantage by allowing them to use
specific investors’ network and knowledge to guide them through to product completion. Their classroom expertise for both product
development and merchandising during their undergraduate academic program enables them to be successful in their new careers.