BSc Fashion Buying and Merchandising

Increasing interest in ethical and sustainable practices is having a dramatic impact on the nature of business operations within textile and apparel manufacturing industries and has profound economic, political and cultural implications.

The unit aims to:

• Develop an appreciation of the challenges and complexities of business ethics, sustainability and CSR in the world of contemporary textiles;
• Provide a thorough grounding in sustainability and ethical dimensions and consequences of corporate conduct; and
• Equip you with the necessary skills and understanding to critically evaluate and analyse real world scenarios.

A greater depth of the learning outcomes are covered in the following sections:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Intellectual skills
• Practical skills
• Transferable skills and personal qualities

This unit will make use of a variety of learning and teaching processes including: workshops, videos, discussions, group activities and independent study. Blackboard will be used to present unit material, guided reading, articles and other information. Blackboard may also be utilised for assessment.

1a. Evaluate ethical and sustainable practices to successfully engage with and meet the needs of key stakeholders in fashion and textiles.

1b. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the strategic aspects of a proactive approach to Business Ethics, Sustainability and CSR and its potential to gain competitive advantage in the fashion and textiles industries.

1c. Apply ethical theories to appraise moral issues of right and wrong in the fashion and textiles industries, from various perspectives.

2a.Evaluate current and emerging ethical and sustainable practice(s) in the fashion industry and comment on strengths and weaknesses using balanced, logical and supported argument.

2b. Critically distinguish the key aspects of complex problems

2c. Apply theoretical frameworks and concepts to evaluate challenges relating to Business Ethics, Sustainability and CSR in fashion and textiles.

3a. Act autonomously with limited supervision or direction within negotiated guidelines.

3b.Use appropriate sources to gain relevant information on Business Ethics, Sustainability and CSR in fashion and textiles.

4a. Engage effectively in academic discussion and present arguments in a professional manner.

4b. Express written ideas in a concise and justified manner.

4c. Work effectively in a team to debate ethical issues in fashion and textiles.

Written feedback

Students are not required to purchase any textbooks for this module.

Each session will be supplemented by directed reading of relevant academic journal papers. You are expected to read widely around the subject and to find relevant recent academic journal papers to add to your knowledge in addition to the recommended reading provided. You are expected to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the key journals and key authors in the field at final year level. Remember that textbooks merely provide an introduction to topics.