Course Descriptions
GF 511
Fashion for Global Markets
Explores fashion in the global marketplace, focusing on the effects of social, cultural, and economic factors on the merchandising and marketing of branded and licensed products. Working in teams, students develop a cohesive product line based on either an existing brand or hypothetical brand.
3 credits
GF 551
Production Management and Supply Chain
Focuses on production management and supply chains, including sales forecasting, sourcing materials, sourcing contractors, cutting procedures and techniques, assembly procedures and techniques, quality control and costing, and the warehousing and shipping of finished products. Emphasizes gearing production to fit the manufacture of goods for a specific market.
3 credits
GF 561
Global Marketing and Fashion Brand Management
Explores the challenges facing apparel manufacturers and retailers in penetrating multinational markets. Focuses on analysis of successful examples of international brand profusion. Topics covered include: analyzing potential of global markets, identifying the target consumer and the competition, brand positioning, market testing, centralization vs. localization, customization, licensing vs. vertical, launch strategies, distribution and logistical challenges, and marketing campaigns for introduction. Students will formulate an original marketing plan for the worldwide distribution of a hypothetical brand.
3 credits
GF 571
Current Technologies in the Fashion Industry
Explores current technologies used in the fashion industry for communications, product development, logistics and retail management. Includes lectures and demonstrations by industry experts and representatives from technology companies.
3 credits
GF 581
Seminar: New York
One of three intensive international seminars. In each, graduate students for FIT; Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; and Institut Francais de la Mode, Paris, convene for two weeks at one of the participating institutions for lectures and site visits that explore aspects of the fashion industry specific to that city and region. Topics covered include fashion influences and trend spotting, consumer behavior, major retailers and their strategies for success, and production capabilities.
3 credits
GF 582
International Team Management
Provides the leadership and decision-making skills necessary for productive international team leaders. Explores creation of and management strategies for high-performance global teams. Includes assigned reading, discussions, class exercises and individual and group assignments. Covers management strategies including facilitating effectiveness, utilizing peer feedback, and analyzing the group process.
3 credits
GF 583
Culture and International Business
Explores the relationship of international business practices to various national cultures. Applies concepts borrowed from cultural anthropology and sociology to specific problems and situations encountered in international business. Using case studies, team projects, and simulation exercises, to highlight common dilemmas encountered in marketing, negotiations, human resources, business communications, organizational structure and management.
3 credits
GF 584
Seminar: Paris
One of three intensive international seminars. In each, graduate students for FIT; Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; and Institut Francais de la Moda, Paris, convene for two weeks at one of the participating institutions for lectures and site visits that explore aspects of the fashion industry specific to that city and region. Topics covered include fashion influences and trend spotting, consumer behavior, major retailers and their strategies for success, and production capabilities. Parisian emphasis on marketing of luxury goods.
3 credits
GF 585
Seminar: Hong Kong
One of three intensive international seminars. In each, graduate students for FIT; Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; and Institut Francais de la Moda, Paris, convene for two weeks at one of the participating institutions for lectures and site visits that explore aspects of the fashion industry specific to that city and region. Topics covered include fashion influences and trend spotting, consumer behavior, major retailers and their strategies for success, and production capabilities. Hong Kong emphasis on manufacturing and how current technology affects the production and the supply chain.
3 credits
GF 612
Challenges to Profitability
Explores the difficulties facing apparel manufacturers and retailers in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Lecture and guest-speaker topics include cost of goods and increased operating expenses, efficient supply-chain management, guaranteed gross margin percentages. Includes assigned reading and case studies.
3 credits
GF 621
Politics and World Trade Today
Explores the influence of politics on contemporary world trade. The political agendas that come into play when countries are formulating multilateral and bilateral agreements to establish trade rules are examined. Organizations such as the World Trade Organization are studied for their influence on worldwide trade practices. The risks and benefits of conducting global business is emphasized.
3 credits
GF 691
Capstone Seminar
The students in the Capstone Seminar will use PowerPoint storyboards, graphs and charts, as well as a written component, to demonstrate the functional, informational, and critical thinking skills acquired throughout the program. Topics for the presentations will be developed by the associate chair of the department, on the advice of executives, to demonstrate the ability of the students to act as managers in industry. In the capstone seminar, emphasis will be placed on global business concerns for the 21st century, including merchandising, sourcing, marketing, financial management, and leadership. The capstone project is intended as the final, cross-disciplinary test of the management skills developed by the students in their graduate program.
3 credits
Fashion for Global Markets
Explores fashion in the global marketplace, focusing on the effects of social, cultural, and economic factors on the merchandising and marketing of branded and licensed products. Working in teams, students develop a cohesive product line based on either an existing brand or hypothetical brand.
3 credits
GF 551
Production Management and Supply Chain
Focuses on production management and supply chains, including sales forecasting, sourcing materials, sourcing contractors, cutting procedures and techniques, assembly procedures and techniques, quality control and costing, and the warehousing and shipping of finished products. Emphasizes gearing production to fit the manufacture of goods for a specific market.
3 credits
GF 561
Global Marketing and Fashion Brand Management
Explores the challenges facing apparel manufacturers and retailers in penetrating multinational markets. Focuses on analysis of successful examples of international brand profusion. Topics covered include: analyzing potential of global markets, identifying the target consumer and the competition, brand positioning, market testing, centralization vs. localization, customization, licensing vs. vertical, launch strategies, distribution and logistical challenges, and marketing campaigns for introduction. Students will formulate an original marketing plan for the worldwide distribution of a hypothetical brand.
3 credits
GF 571
Current Technologies in the Fashion Industry
Explores current technologies used in the fashion industry for communications, product development, logistics and retail management. Includes lectures and demonstrations by industry experts and representatives from technology companies.
3 credits
GF 581
Seminar: New York
One of three intensive international seminars. In each, graduate students for FIT; Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; and Institut Francais de la Mode, Paris, convene for two weeks at one of the participating institutions for lectures and site visits that explore aspects of the fashion industry specific to that city and region. Topics covered include fashion influences and trend spotting, consumer behavior, major retailers and their strategies for success, and production capabilities.
3 credits
GF 582
International Team Management
Provides the leadership and decision-making skills necessary for productive international team leaders. Explores creation of and management strategies for high-performance global teams. Includes assigned reading, discussions, class exercises and individual and group assignments. Covers management strategies including facilitating effectiveness, utilizing peer feedback, and analyzing the group process.
3 credits
GF 583
Culture and International Business
Explores the relationship of international business practices to various national cultures. Applies concepts borrowed from cultural anthropology and sociology to specific problems and situations encountered in international business. Using case studies, team projects, and simulation exercises, to highlight common dilemmas encountered in marketing, negotiations, human resources, business communications, organizational structure and management.
3 credits
GF 584
Seminar: Paris
One of three intensive international seminars. In each, graduate students for FIT; Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; and Institut Francais de la Moda, Paris, convene for two weeks at one of the participating institutions for lectures and site visits that explore aspects of the fashion industry specific to that city and region. Topics covered include fashion influences and trend spotting, consumer behavior, major retailers and their strategies for success, and production capabilities. Parisian emphasis on marketing of luxury goods.
3 credits
GF 585
Seminar: Hong Kong
One of three intensive international seminars. In each, graduate students for FIT; Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; and Institut Francais de la Moda, Paris, convene for two weeks at one of the participating institutions for lectures and site visits that explore aspects of the fashion industry specific to that city and region. Topics covered include fashion influences and trend spotting, consumer behavior, major retailers and their strategies for success, and production capabilities. Hong Kong emphasis on manufacturing and how current technology affects the production and the supply chain.
3 credits
GF 612
Challenges to Profitability
Explores the difficulties facing apparel manufacturers and retailers in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Lecture and guest-speaker topics include cost of goods and increased operating expenses, efficient supply-chain management, guaranteed gross margin percentages. Includes assigned reading and case studies.
3 credits
GF 621
Politics and World Trade Today
Explores the influence of politics on contemporary world trade. The political agendas that come into play when countries are formulating multilateral and bilateral agreements to establish trade rules are examined. Organizations such as the World Trade Organization are studied for their influence on worldwide trade practices. The risks and benefits of conducting global business is emphasized.
3 credits
GF 691
Capstone Seminar
The students in the Capstone Seminar will use PowerPoint storyboards, graphs and charts, as well as a written component, to demonstrate the functional, informational, and critical thinking skills acquired throughout the program. Topics for the presentations will be developed by the associate chair of the department, on the advice of executives, to demonstrate the ability of the students to act as managers in industry. In the capstone seminar, emphasis will be placed on global business concerns for the 21st century, including merchandising, sourcing, marketing, financial management, and leadership. The capstone project is intended as the final, cross-disciplinary test of the management skills developed by the students in their graduate program.
3 credits