Contemporary Issues in Fashion and Textiles

Contemporary Issues in Fashion and Textiles

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Department of Materials

 

 

MATS61452

Contemporary Issues in Fashion and Textiles

 

Unit Handbook 2021-22

 

 

 

 

Please note: This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact.  Please see Blackboard / course unit related emails for any further updates.

 

 

 

 

Contents

1. Unit Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
2. Unit Aims………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
3. Intended Learning Outcomes…………………………………………………………………………….. 3
4. Teaching and Learning Process…………………………………………………………………………… 4
5. Unit Delivery………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
6. Student Participation……………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
7. Staff Contacts…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4
8. Unit Assessment……………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
9. Assessment Briefs…………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
10. Assessment Criteria……………………………………………………………………………………….. 5
11. Late Submission and Mitigating Circumstances……………………………………………………. 5
12. Recommended Reading………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

 

 

 

 

 

This unit explores issues in the contemporary international fashion environment from a strategic perspective and to analyse the factors influencing the nature and development of the textile and apparel industry with consideration of the implications for organisational performance. The unit adopts the perspective that a foundational understanding of fibres, fabric production and supply chain management is essential for all future industry professionals. Accordingly, this unit focuses particularly on the textile supply chain in order to understand how fabric production supports the apparel industry.

 

 

This handbook should be read in conjunction with the Department of Materials Undergraduate or Postgraduate Programme Handbook which can be found on the Undergraduate/Postgraduate Virtual Common Room on Blackboard

This unit provides an introduction to relevant issues that influence the contemporary international fashion environment and evaluates the antecedents and effects on the performance of fashion companies and associated organisations throughout the supply chain. It focuses on the role of innovation as a response to shifts in industry practice, to address contemporary issues such as such as sustainability, material production and digital technologies.

More specifically, this unit aims to:

1. Provide a critical appreciation of the role of textile production to the success of fashion apparel organisations
2. Examine contemporary issues in in the fashion and apparel industry
3. Examine the role of innovation on current and future practice within the global textile and fashion industry.

Brief Syllabus:

• Fundamentals of fabric production (knitting and weaving), dyeing, printing and finishing.
• Innovations in fabric production (knitting and weaving), dyeing, printing and finishing.
• Contemporary issues in the textile and apparel industry

Overall, the unit will build students’ skills and understanding of fibres, textile production and supply chain management in order to meet the challenges and opportunities of a global market environment.

 

 

 

1	Knowledge and understanding	·        Evaluate in-depth and advanced resources pertaining to the theoretical and practical understanding of their subject, discipline, or profession in an international context ·        Demonstrate professional and academic responsibility, integrity and ethical considerations in an international context
2	Intellectual skills	·        Demonstrate high level cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis
3	Practical Skills	·        Find, evaluate, synthesise and use information from a variety of sources ·        Express complex ideas and argument coherently in appropriate formats
4	Transferable skills and personal qualities	·        Demonstrate global citizenship ·        Implement independent learning strategies to support continued professional development as a self-directed learner

 

This unit makes use of a variety of learning and teaching processes including: lectures, problem-based learning, practical sessions; case studies, and discussions. Blackboard will be used to present lecture notes and supporting materials for the unit. The lectures with develop the theoretical subject knowledge, whilst the case studies and discussions will evaluate the importance and application of techniques, with practical sessions visualising these findings. Blackboard will also be utilised for assessment using Turnitin.

 

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Week	wc	Topic	Seminar	Staff	Deadlines
1	7th Feb	Unit introduction and assessment overview	Seminar A	All
2	14th Feb	Macro Trends in Textiles	Seminar B	JC
3	21st Feb	Innovations in weave and coursework support	Seminar C	XC
4	28th Feb	Innovations in knit and coursework support	Seminar D	AF
5	7th March	Innovations in dyeing, printing and finishing and coursework support	Seminar E	KB
6	14th March	Fundamentals of weaving	Seminar F	XC	Submit track choice 16th March 1pm
7	21st March	Fundamentals of knitting	Seminar G	AF	Track confirmed
8	28th March	Formative workshop	Seminar H	All	Formative workshop – (in groups)
Easter vacation
9	25th April	Fundamentals of dyeing, printing and finishing	Seminar I	KB
10	2nd May	Fabric testing, standards and legislation	Seminar J	All
11	9th May	Fibre basics and circularity	Seminar K	JC
12	16th May	Summary session Coursework submission	Seminar  -reflective practice	JC	CW 1 Week 12 Friday 20 / 05 / 2022 13:00hrs

 

 

• Students that attend the sessions will find the assessments reasonably straightforward: those who do not attend will find them a little more difficult!
• To pass the unit, it is necessary to undertake an individual assignment. This is supported by group work in the seminar sessions.
• Each week there will be recorded content to view independently before lecture-based classes, this is supported by weekly seminar sessions, workshops and formative feedback to ensure that each student is fully prepared for the assignment.
• The unit is predominantly independent, self-directed learning based. Tutors will provide the lead initially in order to facilitate the process, with the emphasis then focusing on active and participative learning particularly in the seminars which students are obliged to attend.
• Seminars are very much student focussed and students are encouraged to engage with the learning materials for these and need to participate in any group work and presentation tasks.
• Interpersonal skills, research skills and writing skills will be utilised and developed in this unit.

Role on Unit	Name	Office	E-mail	Tel
Unit Coordinator	Jo Conlon	SSB C51f	[email protected]	0161 306 3007
Unit Lecturer (dyeing, printing and finishing)	Kristina Brubacher	SSB F2a	[email protected]	0161 306 4678
Unit Lecturer (knitting),	Anura Fernando	SSB A35	[email protected]	0161 306 3753
Unit Lecturer (weaving)	Xiaogang Chen	JLB B13	[email protected]	0161 306 4113

 

For general enquiries it is encouraged to use the Discussion Boards on each Blackboard Unit. However, if you are having difficulties, it is in your interest to contact a member of the unit staff at the earliest opportunity as we are happy to help.

Short queries about specific aspects of the unit material can often be easily addressed in person in the timetabled sessions. If using email, please focus your question on the particular point that you wish to be clarified. As tutors receive emails from students from various units, please include your full name, student number, programme, year of study and the name of the unit. Staff will endeavour to respond to emails as quickly as possible, however, this will depend on particular commitments, so do not always expect an immediate response. Normally, staff will try to respond to you within a week.

 

Summative Assessment Task	Length/ assessment submission	Weighting within unit (if relevant)	Submission Deadline Date	Summative Feedback Date	Intended Learning Outcomes Assessed
Coursework	4000 words	100%	Friday 20th May 2022 13:00hrs (Turnitin submission on Blackboard)	Post exam period (13th June)	A1, A2, B1, C1, C2, D1, D2.

 

 

Assessment task: A conference paper

The textiles and apparel Industry is diverse and to maximise success the whole supply chain needs ongoing innovation and investment. The assessment task is to submit a 4000-word conference paper. You will work as part of a small group in your seminars to support completion of this assessment. It is recommended that you prepare an extended abstract for formative feedback which is then be developed individually for the final submission.  The conference theme centres on “Charting a New Course” to focus on how the disruptions and innovations of the recent past can be reframed for a thriving future.  There are three main conference tracks:

• New developments and applications in weaving technologies
• New developments and applications in knitting technologies
• New developments and applications in finishing and colouration technologies

You are required to indicate your preferred choice of track in week six.  There is a cap on the number of submissions that each track can accept. If you do not indicate your first and second choice you will be allocated to a track.

The 4000-word report should include an analysis of external factors that form the backdrop to fashion business at the current time. It needs to show a strong and clear appreciation of the macro trends in the textile industry. By analysing the current situation, you are to proceed to focus specifically on an innovation to present with a recommendation for its application.

An example outline of the expected approach is shown below:

Title page	Not included in the word count
Abstract	Outlines and summarises the key points.
Introduction	Introduces the topic and the structure of the report.
Analysis of the external environment	Summary of the academic and commercial literature. A problem statement
Summary of the proposed innovation	This must be developed beyond the taught content
Potential application / recommendation	This must be clearly linked to the previous analysis.
Conclusion	Summarises the report No new information in a conclusion
Reference list	Harvard style. A wide variety of quality academic and commercial sources to be used to underpin your work.
OVERALL word count: 4000 words + or – 10%

 

Presentation of your work

This piece of work should be scholarly in content with an exceptional level of English and consummately presented using the following guidelines:

• An 11- or 12-point font
• There should be a title page and a contents list
• Pages and sections should be numbered throughout.
• A complete and correctly formatted reference list should be included at the end of the report. You need to correctly use the Harvard referencing system and include a reference list containing all of your cited sources.
• You should include at least 20 credible references in your assignment. However, this is a minimum; more support will strengthen your work.
• You are encouraged to use tables, figures and appendices to manage the content and communication of your report
• The report should be saved as a.pdf document and submitted through Turnitin on Blackboard.
• The report should be concise and adhere to the prescribed word limit, +/- 10% of the word count.

 

The table below shows the marking criteria for the assessment. Please familiarise yourself with the six criteria as it is important that your submission appropriately addresses each of these.  This is available as an excel file for greater clarity. Please note that these criteria are weighted:

10 % Introduction

25% Macro analysis.

25% Summary of the innovation

20% Application

10% Conclusion

10% Resources and presentation

The table also details the grade descriptors from distinction on the left to a failure on the right-hand side.  Use these descriptors to make a self-assessment of your work before submission.

≥70% – Distinction

60-69% – Merit

50-59% – Pass

40-49% – Compensable Pass

35%-39% – Marginal Fail

< 35% – Fail

 

 

Please see the postgraduate handbook 2021.

Please see the online reading list on Blackboard, indicative texts are:

 

• Baugh, G. (2018). The fashion designer’s textile directory. Barrons Educational Series, Incorporated.
• Sinclair, R. (2014).  Textiles and Fashion: materials, design and technology.  Woodhead Publishing Ltd, UK.
• Steed, J. Basics Textile Design 01: Sourcing Ideas: Researching Colour, Surface, Structure, Texture and Pattern.  AVA Publishing.
• Taylor, M. A. (2007) Technology of Textile Properties, Forbes Publications UK.
• Udale, J. (2014). Textiles and Fashion: Exploring printed textiles, knitwear, embroidery, menswear and womenswear. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Weetman, C. (2020). A circular economy handbook for business and supply chains: Repair, remake, redesign, rethink. Kogan Page Publishers.

 

Date of current version

18th January 2021