ITAA META GOALS

FOUR-YEAR BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM META-GOALS APPROVED NOVEMBER 2021


META GOAL 1: College and university textile and apparel programs will provide high quality curricula that include the following CORE KNOWLEDGE CONTENT at a level appropriate to the specific program’s mission and strategic plan.


A. TEXTILE AND APPAREL PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE

  1. Textile materials and structures used in apparel and other soft goods.
  2. Socio-cultural, psychological, economic, political, and technological factors in the development of textile and apparel products through history and across cultures.
  3. Significance of textile and apparel products in the global consumer market.
  4. Categories and functions of apparel and other soft goods.
  5. Product quality, performance, technical specifications, and regulatory compliance standards.
  6. Elements and principles of design as applied to textile and apparel products, merchandising and marketing of those products.
  7. Product development process and innovation in textile and apparel products.
  8. Forecasting product trends and innovations.
  9. Sustainability of textile and apparel products from concept to end-of-life.


B. INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

  1. Roles, functions, and interdependence of various sectors within the global textile and apparel complex.
  2. Textile and apparel production processes.
  3. Retail structure and operations, product merchandising, and retail management.
  4. Market, brand, trade and economic concepts impacting global business decisions and profitability.
  5. Historical, cultural, social, technological, and political factors impacting textile and apparel business and industry.
  6. Sustainability in textile and apparel business and industry practices.


C. HUMAN INTERACTIONS WITH PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES

  1. Role of dress and appearance in reflecting and shaping intra- and inter-cultural interactions.
  2. Historical, socio-cultural and/or psychological factors influencing dress and human behavior.
  3. Consumer textile and apparel needs, wants, and consumption as influenced by life stages, social factors, and culture.
  4. Role of the consumer in fashion adoption and diffusion.
  5. Role of design in quality of life and human well-being.
  6. Human interactions in leadership, management and marketing.


META GOAL 2: College and university textile and apparel programs will provide high quality curricula that include the following CURRICULAR ELEMENTS.


A. ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE CONTENT specific to the program emphasis such as: apparel design, product development, historic textiles/dress, merchandising, retailing, or textile science (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list).


B. RESEARCH

  1. Research principles/methods appropriate to the program.
  2. Theoretical perspectives


C. FIELD EXPERIENCES or OTHER PRACTICAL APPLICATION


META GOAL 3: College and University textile and apparel programs will provide high quality curricula that include the following PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES.


A. COGNITIVE SKILLS

  1. Critical analysis and creative thinking to find solutions to problems and develop innovative products, services, or processes.
  2. Use of appropriate terminology, tools and technology to address current and future issues within the global textile and apparel complex.


B. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

  1. Communicate ideas in written, oral, and visual forms using appropriate tools and terminology.
  2. Collaboration, team participation, and leadership.
  3. Global awareness and cross-cultural competence.
  4. Professional behavior that demonstrates commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.


C. INTRA-PERSONAL SKILLS

  1. Ethical behavior and decision making.
  2. Socially responsible behavior and decision making.


D. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

  1. Career planning concepts and job search strategies.
  2. Critique ideas constructively.