We offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Textiles in Apparel (TXA). Some TXA courses are going through a series of name changes, with a tentative coure number change for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022, and the final new course number and/or name change will be in Fall 2022. The content will be similar unless otherwise noted; please click to learn more. If specific questions, you can reach out to headvising@austin.utexas.edu.
CURRENT COURSE OFFERINGS
Lower-Division Courses
TXA 301C: Introduction to the Fashion Industry
Survey of the apparel and textiles industry offering a broad view of the interrelated fields of design, merchandising, product development and textiles alongside emerging themes in the field. Emphasis on ethical and sustainable issues related to the industry. May count towards the ethics flag requirement.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 103, 203, 303: Topics in Textiles and Apparel
For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
TXA 317D: Fashion Design Thinking
Introduction to the process of primary and secondary research, design, and construction.
TXA 317T: Textiles Fabrication
Apply textile theory and properties to create yarn and fiber based materials such as woven, knit, and non-woven textiles.
TXA 318E: Fashioning America
Explore the history of the United States from pre-Civil War to contemporary society as reflected through targeted as well as changing styles in costume and dress. Examine the ability of dress as a device that can communicate political, social, economic, aesthetic and cultural change. Analyze clothing choices as related to exterior motivations including protection, gender, status and decoration. Relate the power of dress to particular demographic groups throughout history. Acquire a vocabulary with which to describe apparel and related items.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 305: Textiles
Chemical and physical properties of fibers and yarns, fabric construction, and finishes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 313: Aesthetics: Theory and Practice
Introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of the principles of design and visual literacy in the field of textiles and apparel. Introduction to the principles and theories that define what is aesthetically pleasing and the vocabulary necessary to identity, describe, and critique them. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 314L: Product Development (Lecture/Lab)
New: Introduction to the integrated apparel design industry from the creative and merchandising perspective.
Previous: Introduction to all stages of product development involved in fashion and functional design. Emphasis on target market identification, cost analysis, material selection, and the organization of product development within the industry structure. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 315K: Field Experience I
Application of merchandising strategic planning in a professional environment with faculty and site director supervision. At least 154 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Admission to the Retail Merchandising Internship Program.
TXA 316L: Apparel I
An overview of apparel production and manufacturing processes, including an evaluation of soft goods, including materials, quality of work, and costs. Provides a conceptual framework of the manufacturing process for future apparel professionals. Understand the apparel production cycle: how apparel products are designed, created, and distributed. Analyze garment design and construction features to understand their relationship to apparel cost and quality. Style terminology, sizing, price points, fabric choices, sustainability, and other apparel production factors are also discussed. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 316R: Sewn-Product Analysis & Manufacturing
Evaluation of soft goods, including materials, quality of work, and costs. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 205/105L: Textiles & Laboratory or TXA 305: Textiles with a grade of at least C- in each.
TXA 319R: Merchandise Presentations in Retail Environments
Integrated approach to communicating, presenting and evaluating two-and three-dimensional design strategies for merchandise presentation (both digital and brick and mortar environments). Include components of both design and execution rooted in a foundation of visual merchandising theory, skills and terminology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 119S, 219S, 319S, 419S, 519S, 619S, 719S, 819S, 919S: Topics in Textiles and Apparel
This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the School of Human Ecology. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Upper-Division Courses
TXA 325L: History of Dress and Cultural Change I
Social, economic, aesthetic, and political aspects of costume evolution from ancient times through the Renaissance. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 325M: History of Dress and Cultural Change II
Social, economic, aesthetic, and political aspects of costume evolution from the Baroque period through modern times. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 326L: Apparel II
TXA 326L: Apparel II (Lecture/Lab)
Advanced apparel construction techniques using industry standards and portfolio development. One lecture hour a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 316L with a grade of at least C-.
TXA 327C: Social Psychology of Dress and Appearance
The cultural, social and psychological significance of dress and appearance. Emphasis on theories related to the ways individuals communicate and interpret the self, identity, and social roles through dress and appearance in contemporary society. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
TXA 328: Research Methods in Textiles and Apparel
Basic research methodology and academic writing. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, completion of an introductory statistics course, and TXA 205/105L or TXA 303: Textiles with a grade of at least C- in each.
TXA 129S, 229S, 329S, 429S, 529S, 629S, 729S, 829S, 929S: Topics in Textiles and Apparel
This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the School of Human Ecology. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
TXA 331E: Textiles and Apparel in a Global Market
An overview of global textile and apparel industries and the factors affecting global sourcing from product concept to distribution with an emphasis on global issues. Subjects include the textile and apparel complex and its history, international trade and the effects of trade policy, the sourcing process, selection of sourcing locations and partners, sourcing regions of the world, and current trends.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
{slider TXA 350D: Advanced Apparel Portfolio}
Extensive sociological, cultural, and historic visual research for apparel design. Through a range of projects that incorporate computer-aided design, product illustration, technical packets, proposed production plans, and target market identification, students will produce a professional level, hard copy and online, portfolio that will help prepare them for a career in the apparel industry. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 214K/L or TXA 303: Product Development
TXA 151: Pre-Internship Seminar
Preparation course for students seeking internships. Subjects include application, internship interview process, effective professional communication, ethical decision making, leadership development, site expectations, and the impact of business environments on personal and career effectiveness in the field of textiles and apparel. One lecture hour a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: Upper Division standing.
TXA 352D: Field Experience in Apparel Design
Application of apparel design techniques and principles in a professional environment. At least 154 hours of fieldwork for one semester.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Apparel Design Internship Program, and Textiles and Apparel 164K (Topic 1: Flat Pattern) and 264L (Topic 1: Flat Pattern) with a grade of at least C- in each.
TXA 352E: Historic Apparel Collections & Exhibit Management
Enhance research knowledge-base of the history of fashion as well as design thinking and visual display design and execution.
TXA 352M: Field Experience in Retail Merchandising
Application of merchandising techniques and principles in a professional environment. At least 154 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester. May be counted toward the independent inquiry flag requirement. Hour(s) to be arranged.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Retail Merchandising Internship Program.
TXA 353D: Apparel Design Mentors
Connects students to a TXA design alum - a professional designer- as a mentor. This mentor/mentee relationship builds awareness of current apparel industry practices, standards expected for entry level design positions and connects students to design alumni as mentors for the course and potentially as career mentors for the students future. Faculty meet with students between mentor online visits.
TXA 155, 355: Problems Course
Intensive study of selected problems of an interdisciplinary nature. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester. Some sections are offered on the pass/fail basis only; these are identified in the Course Schedule. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
TXA 355: Digital Media Marketing & Development
Intensive study of selected problems of an interdisciplinary nature. May be counted toward the independent inquiry flag requirement.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
TXA 355: Merchandising Systems
Intensive study of selected problems of an interdisciplinary nature.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
TXA 355: Research in Clothing as Communication
Intensive study of selected problems of an interdisciplinary nature. May be counted toward the independent inquiry flag requirement.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
TXA 355: Research in Social Aspects of Clothing
Intensive study of selected problems of an interdisciplinary nature. May be counted toward the independent inquiry flag requirement.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
TXA 355C: Computer-Aided Design for Apparel
Computer technology used to create textile prints, weaves, illustrations, flat patterns, promotional pieces, and pattern markers. One lecture hour and six laboratory hours a week for one semester.
TXA 355P: Problems in Retail Merchandising
Intensive study of selected problems related to field experience; development of analytical and problem-solving skills for retailing. At least 154 hours of supervised fieldwork for one semester.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Retail Merchandising Internship Program.
TXA 356: TXA Internship
Course to be taken concurrently with a Textiles and Apparel internship. It can be taken in the summer or in a long semester. Reflection on the internship and faculty mentorship in support of the student and the intern-site.
TXA 359H: Honors Reading Course
Supervised individual reading on special subjects. Conference course. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, a University grade point average of at least 3.00, and consent of the undergraduate adviser.
TXA 360L: Advanced Textiles
Composition, structure, and properties of textile products; contributions of textile research. Will become three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 205/105L or TXA 303: Textiles; Chemistry 305, 302, or 302N; six semester hours of upper-division coursework in textiles and apparel with a grade of at least C- in each course
TXA 360M: Advanced Textiles Laboratory
Analysis and evaluation of textile performance. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 205/105L or TXA 303: Textiles; Chemistry 305, 302, or 302N; six semester hours of upper-division coursework in textiles and apparel with a grade of at least C- in each course
TXA 361T: Consumer Behavior in the Marketplace
Internal and external factors that influence consumer behavior in the marketplace. Application of concepts and theories from the social sciences to the areas of textiles, clothing, and appearance; experience in conducting market and consumer research. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Human Ecology 361 and Textiles and Apparel 361 may not both be counted. May be counted toward the ethics flag requirement.
TXA 363T: Nanotechnologies in Textiles
This course highlights the role of nanotechnology in the evaluation, development and fabrication of textiles and fibers. The course will walk students through characterization tools used in nanotechnology, general chemistry employed in fabrication, and properties found in different nano-materials, nano-fibers, nano-coatings. Through lecture presentations, readings and different cases of study, this course will also discuss products in the market, functionality and propose potential innovations with nanotechnologies in textiles.
TXA 364C: Flat Pattern
Creative application of flat pattern or draping processes. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 214K/L or TXA 303 Product Development and TXA 126/226L or TXA 365 Apparel II with a grade of at least C- in each
TXA 364D: Draping
Examine advanced apparel design. Explore the creative application of draping processes. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 264K/164L-Topic 1: Flat Pattern or TXA 365: Flat Pattern with a grade of at least C- in each
TXA 364E: Collections
Examine advanced apparel design. Explore the creation of an apparel collection. Six laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: TXA 264K/164L-Topic 2: Draping or TXA 365: Draping with a grade of at least C- in each
TXA 165, 265, 365: Advanced Topics in Textiles and Apparel
For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing. Additional prerequisites vary with the topic.
TXA 341E: Accessory Design, Product Development and Merchandising (Kendra Scott)
An experiential class partnered with executives at Kendra Scott that guides students through the design and product development process through the brand's commercial lens.
TXA 342E: UT in NYC
Provide students with a firsthand experience of the apparel industry in New York City. Site visits to many significant apparel related businesses such as major retailers, fashion designers, lifestyle brands, apparel and beauty product manufacturers, licensing firms and interact with industry leaders such as C-Suite Leaders , Directors, Presidents, VP’s Merchants, etc., and museums such as The Metropolitan Costume Institute.
TXA 340E: TXA in Paris
A global, experiential month-long study abroad in Paris that combines in class learning with out-in-the-city visits, workshops and tours focused on Fashion fashion, its history and techniques.
TXA 376R: Concepts & Innovations in Retailing
Develop understanding of retail strategy, channels of distribution, private labels, innovation in retail, and the key issues impacting growth in retail firms (including exposure to issues facing retailers in international settings). Three lecture hours a week for one semester.
Prerequisite: MKT 320F
TXA 377: Merchandising Systems
Application course focusing on the calculation and analysis of the selling price, profitability, assortment planning, purchasing, and inventory control. Includes spreadsheet application and exercises.
TXA 377R: Merchandising Math II
This course in an extension of foundational concepts from Merchandising Math I. Content is designed to foster critical analysis which will prepare students for their futures in the field.
TXA 378H: Honors Seminar in Textiles and Apparel
The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, a University grade point average of at least 3.00, and consent of the honors adviser.
TXA 379H: Honors Tutorial Course
Supervised individual research on a special topic in textiles and apparel; oral presentation and preparation of a scholarly paper covering the research. May be based on laboratory, library, or field research. Conference course. May be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, admission to the Textiles and Apparel Honors Program, and consent of the honors adviser.
TXA 379R: Strategic Brand Management
A deep dive into the Longhorn brand. Capstone course examines strategic brand management and trademark protection, and provides hands-on knowledge about the process of how an institution strategically manages a product category and grants rights to a specific group of licenses.
TXA 340T: Sustainable Textile Manufacturing
Overview and application of sustainable textile manufacturing practices including renewable fiber manufacturing, textile circular manufacturing, and apparel recycling.
TXA 351D: Advanced Apparel Design
Expanded range of expertise in developing design proposals. To include knitted or printed textiles, other apparel categories, menswear, size inclusivity, children's wear, accessories. Focus on expanding depth and breadth of skills to provide graduates with increased range of career opportunities.
TXA 351R: Merchandising Technology
Examine various technologies relevant to merchandising and retailing.
TXA 361T: Biopolymers and Biomaterials
A comprehensive overview of biofibers, biomaterials, and membrane formation and applications from a textile foundation.
TXA 362D: 3D CLO
CLO 3D software will introduce students to 3D rendering and flat pattern design on a virtual croquis. Technology, patternmaking and garment construction will be intertwined for a modern approach to garment design.
TXA 362T: Smart Textiles and Apparel Systems
Focused study on advanced technologies of conductive yarns, e-textiles and wearable technology integration.
