Program Mission
 

Consistent with the university, college, and department’s missions, TAPP program goals and objectives reflect a commitment to quality educational programs, research, and service. The program’s broader goals are:
 

o   To provide a curriculum and related learning activities that promote liberal learning and intellectual development while preparing students for entry level professional positions in the Textile and Apparel fields.

o   To offer a quality undergraduate program that meets the general guidelines of our industry advisory board and the profession as defined by the International Textile and Apparel Association.

o    To offer courses and programs that support students from other academic majors.

o    To support excellence in teaching and the teaching/learning environment.

o    To generate knowledge through research.

o     To integrate research and scholarship into the educational process.

o     To provide professional and public service to the university, community, and professional organizations.

Program specific objectives are: 

Curriculum: Administer an integrated major core:

o   To provide well-rounded, liberally educated students with the potential to enter into a broad spectrum of career possibilities in the textile and apparel field, including graduate school.

o    To focus on textile and apparel product development, one of the most important, interesting, and challenging domestic growth areas for the industry.

o     To prepare students who can demonstrate competency in: (the four legs of the stool  )

1) apparel product structure and development, including use of state-of-the-art
product development computer software, as well as effective application of
creativity to design problems;

2) the science, structure, design and evaluation of textile materials, including use of
state-of-the art computer design software and analytical laboratory equipment;
students should demonstrate the capacity to solve technical problems and
communicate their solutions in lucid form, either written or through other forms
of presentation.

3) the social, cultural, psychological, and historical underpinnings of dress including
the capacity to conduct basic research in these areas; results of findings should be
 communicated in lucid form, either written or through other forms of presentation;
this knowledge area is simultaneously congruent with the liberal education goals of
the major and the program’s product development focus since this subject matter is
the foundation for understanding basic fashion theory.

4) the basic business functions of a textile and apparel enterprise. 

Instruction:

o        To challenge students to interact and actively participate in their own academic experience.

o        To bring knowledge to students using state-of-the-art instructional technology.

o        To aspire to excellence in all teacher/learner interactions.

               Research:

o        To aspire to make a difference in the viewpoints of others with research findings.

o        To involve students in research, in an effort to foster interest in graduate school,
and build confidence in abilities to use lab equipment and use research methods.

o        To continue to conduct and publish pedagogical research focused on women in our
discipline, and the impact of curriculum and teaching on their professional
aspirations and placements.

o        To continue to seek funding support for maintaining high level of technology in the
program.

o        To fund research programs with grant-based support.

o        To publish in discipline-recognized peer-reviewed journals.

o        To present research and creative endeavors at peer-juried national professional meetings.