2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Apparel Merchandising (AM) Minor


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Jane E. Hegland
Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design
SNF 229
605-688-5196
e-mail: jane.hegland@sdstate.edu

Faculty

Professor Hegland, Head; Professors Emeriti Kamstra, Semeniuk, Stoflet; Assistant Professor Emerita Swedlund; Associate Professors Isham, Lyons, Nussbaumer, Strickler; Associate Professor Emerita Yost; Assistant Professor Rowland.

Programs

The Department offers instruction leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Apparel Merchandising (AM) and Interior Design (ID).

The two academic programs within the Department are connected through the design process, the power of aesthetics, and the marketing of products and services. In all our work, faculty and students commit themselves to fostering the creation of works reflecting local, regional, national, or global contexts; promoting careers in the ever-changing fields of merchandising and design; inspiring critical thinking and theory; encouraging activities with direct and indirect impact on commerce; respecting socially responsible outcomes; celebrating diversity; and honoring the personal freedom of all designers and merchandisers.

Three major themes underpin the Department vision and mission: creativity: AMID students produce works that fuse, connect, or reflect contemporary, traditional, popular, and indigenous cultures; commerce: AMID students learn about design and production processes, merchandising venues, and consumption patterns and behaviors in the global marketplace; and globalism: AMID students examine how material objects, whether the latest clothing fashions or interior design, transcend geography and create new global paradigms in both the human and physical environments.

Most courses are offered once a year while a few are offered alternate years. Work experience is recommended before the Professional Practicum (AM 495 and ID 495). To enroll in the Professional Practicum students must have 90 semester credits and a 2.2 GPA. Consult your advisor for assistance and current information.

Apparel Merchandising (AM)

The Apparel Merchandising program at SDSU focuses on the process of delivering apparel products to the global consumer. It is broad based in its approach and provides students problem-solving experiences in all major related areas. The degree provides educational experiences and skill development to enable graduates to successfully obtain entry-level employment in any part of the nation. Local and regional retail professionals are involved in the educational process in order to enrich the program and maintain currency with regional practices. Courses include issues of national and global importance so that students will graduate with an awareness of the challenges and opportunities in their professional futures.

The apparel merchandising curriculum provides students with information and competencies applicable to careers in the fashion industry including production, wholesaling and retailing, and consumer acquisition and use of apparel and household textiles. Cultural and scientific aspects of apparel and textiles are examined with emphasis on aesthetic, economic, historic, sociological, and psychological factors. A 280-hour practicum is a program requirement.

Fashion Institute of Technology
The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design is affiliated with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Students may enroll in a two-semester Visiting Scholar Program at FIT. Emphasis areas include Fashion Design (a portfolio is required), Fashion Merchandising, and several others. FIT courses transfer to SDSU and substitute for program requirements if approved prior to enrollment. Upon graduation from SDSU students receive an associate degree from FIT. Upper division status and a minimum 3.0 GPA(on a 4.0 scale) is required for FIT consideration. Acceptance into the FIT Visiting Scholar Program is competitive and planning should begin early in the first semester of the sophomore year. For more information, contact Dr. Strickler.

Minor in Apparel Merchandising
Eighteen credit hours are required for a minor in Apparel Merchandising. Plan your minor with an AM advisor early in your program.

Interior Design (ID)

The Interior Design Program at SDSU seeks to promote the awareness and knowledge of the contributions of interior design to health, safety, and well-being of people in the built environment and to prepare graduates of the program to succeed in the profession throughout the region, nationally and internationally. Interior Design faculty maintain currency in their fields of knowledge, uses of technology, and understanding of current issues to inform students, professionals, and citizens of the state and region of the importance of design in quality of life issues.

The Interior Design Program prepares graduates for practice in the interior design profession. The program educates students by enriching their personal and professional lives. This is accomplished by providing a broad-based education, travel studies, international travel opportunities, service learning experiences, opportunities for various minors, and collaboration among various disciplines; developing and increasing creativity through concept development; and offering various learning environments that use appropriate technologies.

A 280-hour practicum is a program requirement. Students are also required to buy a laptop computer and software prior to the semester they enroll in the computer-aided-design (CAD) course. Contact a member of the Interior Design faculty to learn more about system specifications before purchasing your computer.

Minor in Interior Design
Eighteen credit hours are required for a minor in Interior Design. Plan your minor with an ID adviser early in your program.

Field Trips and Travel Studies
Faculty in the Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior design are committed to intensifying students’ design and merchandising comprehension through off-campus experiences. AMID regularly schedules field trips to design studios and merchandising businesses in the region, and travel study experiences to US and international metropolitan areas. Recent university and department-sponsored trips include Australia, England, France, Germany, India, New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, and Minneapolis St. Paul.

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