This program aims to introduce students to the various processes involved in creating a complete fashion and textile collection. Students will acquire an understanding of the various concepts of womenswear design, through research, shape, drawing, color and fabric experimentation. After having learned these various techniques, using textiles to transform shape, they will then create their own collection. Students will also acquire an understanding of the methods involved in fashion jewelry design, fashion accessories design and generally marketing fashion products.


Program Components

Module 1: Research/Trends
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

Description
Students will analyze trend atmospheres and lifestyles within the fashion & textile world, through research methods, as well as paying special attention to anthropological and sociological changes in society through a brief history of contemporary fashion.
Students enrolled in this program will acquire an understanding of the methods involved in marketing and communication within the Italian market.

Objective
The objective of this module is to introduce students to the process involved in creating a mood board, with particular attention focused on the research phase, with lectures on contemporary fashion history and the remarkable success of the ‘made in Italy’ phenomenon.

Module 2: Collection Design Concept
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

Description
Students will concentrate on the design method concept and coordination of a womenswear collection through the preparation and development of a strategic idea. Analysis of various manual representation techniques will include experimentation in shape, drawing, color and fabric development, graphic signs and texturizing.

Objective
The objective of this module is to learn how to enhance design skills, figure drawing, technical design, and rendering illustrations within the collection process. Students will also study fabric pattern design and color variants, learning about the various types and techniques of printing the designs onto the fabrics.

Module 3: Technology of Fabrics & Workmanship Techniques
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

Description
Students will acquire an understanding of the study and analysis of natural, artificial, and synthetic fibers and threads, concentrating on the generalities, classifications, types, and methods of production of those materials. An awareness of Italian fabric and yarn producers and the specific trade fairs will be part of the module. Students will also learn the acquisition of workmanship techniques through garment pattern cutting and construction.

Objective
The objective of this section of the module is to teach students, through laboratory experiences, the basic techniques of pattern cutting and tailoring and sewing; and also the study of technology of fabrics.

Module 4: Workshops: Jewelry Design and Fashion Accessories
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

Description
Students will participate in 2 brief workshops – Jewelry and Accessories (Shoes and Bags). The first will introduce an exploration of the different stages of jewelry design, using a clear design and research method. Possibility of an Italian jewelry/accessories company as a guest visit.
The second workshop will introduce students to the complex process of shoe and bag accessory design, concentrating on materials. Both workshops will concentrate on research through images, color, forms and materials, supported by a technical and illustrative approach to designing.

Objective
The objective of this module is to introduce students to the complex design worlds of Jewelry and Accessories. Students will be encouraged to experiment with their own creative solutions by working on individual projects.
Module 5: Italian
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

*NB: The fifth module of all semester abroad programs is a 45-hour Italian language course. Students will either take Italian 101 or Italian 102, based on their language abilities


ITALIAN 101 LANGUAGE COURSE
Beginner/Elementary Level Course program

Objectives

After a 45 hours Italian language course students should be able to express themselves in the present and past tense, ask and answer questions about daily life, follow a simple conversation in common situations (in a train, in a café, in a shop, etc.), describe persons and places.

Methodology

In the direct method, the grammar and texts progress in such a way that the teacher can carry out his or her didactic approach directly in Italian, certain of being understood without the aid of translation. The course proceed through mostly communication activities, with conceptual and functional elements of the language gradually introduced. The themes used in the excerpts and reading are always selected in order to support and reflect the gradual learning of the morphosyntactic forms and structures.

Grammatical points covered

The verb to be (essere), this (questo), definite articles, there is and there are (c’è, ci sono)
The verb to have (avere), plural nouns and adjectives, the indefinite article
Regular present tense
Irregular present tense
Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, comparative, buono, bello, invariable plurals
Simple prepositions
Present perfect (passato prossimo)
Interrogative, ci, superlatives, adverbs of quantity
Reflexive verbs in the present, progressive form
Conversation activities

Situations:

a) Greetings, introductions and identifying oneself
b) Description of common objects and places
c) Explanation of one’s profession, scholastic status, names of the main professions and trades
d) Dialogues and vocabulary relating to cafés and restaurants
e) Description of people and physical features
f) Dialogues and vocabulary relating to markets
g) Vocabulary relating to clothing
h) Street directions, describing the city
Listening comprehension, dictation, summarizing stories


ITALIAN 102 – LANGUAGE COURSE
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT: ITALIAN 101
Intermediate Level Course program

Objectives

After a 45 hours Italian language course students should be capable of using the main grammatical structures, the future tense, the imperfect tense, reflexive and passive forms. The students should be more accurate in the construction of sentences, able to use direct and indirect object pronouns, relative pronouns, impersonal forms … They are therefore able to conduct a conversation on common topics from everyday life (food, travel, sports, etc.) as well as confront more general topics, such as comparing the situation of employment, of education, of study, etc., in Italy with that of their own country.

Methodology

In the direct method, the grammar and texts progress in such a way that the teacher can carry out his or her didactic approach directly in Italian, certain of being understood without the aid of translation. The course proceed through mostly communication activities, with conceptual and functional elements of the language gradually introduced. The themes used in the excerpts and reading are always selected in order to support and reflect the gradual learning of the morphosyntactic forms and structures.

Grammatical points covered

Imperatives, irregular plurals
Simple future tense
Reflexive constructions
Relative pronouns with who (chi)
Imperfect indicative tense
Impersonal si, forms of courtesy, comparatives
Passive constructions
Partitive pronoun ne
Prepositions
Conversation activities

Situations:

a) Arrival in Italy
b) Hobbies and sports
c) Describing everyday activities
d) Trades and professions
e) Trips, vacations, visits
f) Italian cooking
g) Education in Italy
h) Shopping

Excerpts from newspapers and magazines, listening compehension, summarizing stories,dictation.