BSc in Human Ecology

Transcription

1 Department of Human Ecology Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences BSc in Human Ecology Core Competencies for Beginning-level Practitioners Human Ecology focuses on the interrelationships between people and their social, economic, political, cultural, and material contexts. BSc Human Ecology graduates major in one of two areas of study: 1) Clothing, Textiles and Material Culture and 2) Family Ecology. Graduates have competencies associated with the philosophy, content, and practice of both human ecology and their specific area of study (Figure 1). The philosophy sphere refers to the mission and philosophical orientation of human ecology. The content sphere includes the body of knowledge that comprises human ecology, including both theory and understanding of discipline-specific fields of study. The practice sphere involves core competencies required by all professionals including leadership, communication, and team-building skills, as well as specific technical skills required by practitioners in either: clothing, textiles and material culture or family ecology. Figure 1. Core competencies in Human Ecology i 2 Content Body of Knowledge 1 Philosophy Mission & Approach 3 Practice Skills 1

2 Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture (CTMC) Major Graduates with a Major in Clothing, Textiles and Material Culture (CTMC) have specialized knowledge and skills related to the analysis, interpretation, design, production, consumption, evaluation and preservation of clothing, textiles and other material objects. All CTMC graduates have completed required coursework in the content areas listed below. In addition, they have focused their studies by taking additional courses in one of four minors: textile science, interiors, fashion merchandising, or material culture and design studies. With this background, CTMC graduates are equipped with planning and problem solving tools, research and analytical skills, and ethical values required of professionals working in a range of professional fields that are associated with textiles, clothing, and material culture. Graduates of this program typically pursue careers in: fashion management; product design, development and testing; marketing and sales; buying and procurement; home interiors; museum/gallery curatorship and collections management; consumer education, and policy, advocacy and research. The core competencies of CTMC graduates are detailed below in three key areas: philosophy, content, and practice. Graduates have additional competencies associated with a required 200-hour practicum and senior level elective courses specific to their chosen minor. Philosophy Within the realm of philosophy, students learn about the historical roots of the interdisciplinary field of Human Ecology as well as its theoretical approaches, underlying values, and key disciplinary assumptions. As an applied field of study and practice, an overarching goal of human ecology is to create healthy human environments that enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. Graduates have a strong sense of their role in society as human ecology professionals. They understand the scope of practice their education prepares them for, and are encouraged to become engaged professionals who are committed to making positive change in society. They are familiar with and value participation in relevant professional organizations such as the Alberta Human Ecology & Home Economics Association (AHEA). 2

3 Content The content sphere comprises what we know in our field. BSc Graduates of Human Ecology with a Major in CTMC develop content knowledge in six key areas: 1) fashion industries, textile and apparel policy and international trade; 2) textile properties and quality assurance; 3) design process and apparel production; 4) material culture; 5) history and culture of textiles and dress; and 6) professional practice. 1. Fashion Industries, Textile and Apparel Policy and International Trade a. understand the socioeconomics of fashion, including factors governing its origin; b. understand the interrelationships of the various sectors involved in the design, production and distribution of fashion products; c. recognize current and emerging policy issues related to the textile and apparel complex and implications of these for the textile and apparel sectors; d. understand implications of the global environment and its effect on national policy issues for the textiles and apparel complex; e. are familiar with key components of major international trade agreements and Canada s position on such agreements; and f. understand theories of sustainable development and consumption in a global environment. 2. Textile Properties and Quality Assurance a. understand the structure and properties of fibres, yarns, fabrics and finishes, and can relate such properties to the performance attributes of textile and apparel products; b. understand emerging technologies as they apply to textiles and apparel; c. recognize the contributions of textile and apparel science to product development and functional design; d. understand quality assurance related to apparel and household textiles; e. are knowledgeable about fiber and fabric properties that contribute to product quality and are able to assess quality relative to performance standards; and f. are familiar with standard test methods and reporting procedures used when evaluating textile and apparel products. 3. Design Process and Apparel Production a. appreciate design as a form of scholarly activity; b. understand design terminology and theory; c. understand design methods and processes as applied to the development of apparel products; d. display the basic skills needed to design, draft patterns, and construct apparel; e. understand costing and pricing principles relative to apparel production; and f. know how to visually present design and marketing concepts for production and manufacture of apparel. 3

4 Content 4. Material Culture a. understand the connections between personal, social, temporal and cultural contexts and the objects that contribute to, and result from, these contexts; b. have the ability to interpret and critique their material environments and the personal and cultural assumptions grounded therein; c. understand certain theoretical perspectives of material culture studies, especially those that pertain to their own lived perspectives and experiences; d. recognize the economic and political global forces that inform meaning and values within the material environment; e. are aware of philosophical and ethical issues pertaining to the production and consumption of material goods; and f. appreciate the creativity, meaning, and cultural diversity expressed through the material goods of everyday life. 5. History and Culture of Textiles and Dress a. recognize clothing styles and periods from prehistoric times to present day and understand the development of these styles in relation to socio-cultural phenomena; b. understand the relevance of fashion history to contemporary design and merchandising; c. understand the diversity of textile-making and decorating techniques across cultures and over time; d. understand aspects of personal and cultural identities as they are expressed through clothing and textiles; e. are aware of the psychological, social and cultural forces that inform dress; f. are conversant in the critical debates and scholarly and popular literatures that are concerned with dress and culture; and g. display entry-level skills associated with artefact-based research, curating and visual display. 6. Professional Practice a. recognize the influence their personal experiences, attitudes, beliefs, values, and biases can have on their work; b. engage in reflective practice and commit to the on-going development of their professional practice; c. understand the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary teamwork and show commitment to the practice of collaboration; d. understand and appropriately utilize communication theory; and e. understand their responsibility as professionals to serve the public good. 4

5 Practice The practice area highlights what we do as human ecologists in the field. CTMC graduates have practice competencies that can be grouped into four main areas: 1) professional practice skills; 2) client service skills; 3) research and evaluation skills; and 4) communication skills. 1. Professional practice skills CTMC graduates have: a. practical skills in professional competencies including leadership, reflective practice, critical analysis, ethics, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. 2. Client service skills a. employ a client-centred orientation based on collaborating effectively with others; b. effectively utilize interpersonal communication skills when consulting with clients and when supporting and leading others; and c. contribute specialized knowledge to problem solving and decision-making as related to clothing, textiles, and material culture. 3. Research and evaluation skills CTMC graduates can: a. access relevant information and evaluate its integrity and accuracy in a timely manner; b. assess the need for, design, and evaluate products and programs; c. conduct standard tests on textiles and apparel products, interpret results, and prepare specified reports; d. conduct trend forecasts, environmental scans, and market research; e. analyze, interpret, and influence the development of standards and policies; f. conduct humanities and social science-based research and artefact documentation; and g. interpret, analyze, critique, and present knowledge that contributes to the fields of clothing, textiles and material culture. 4. Communication skills CTMC graduates can: a. use effective written, oral, and visual communication skills in: i. writing scholarly analyses, consumer fact sheets, position papers and policy briefs, promotional materials, critiques, blogs, newsletters and press releases; ii. designing and developing posters and story boards, powerpoint presentations, merchandise displays, advertisements, and collections-based displays and exhibitions; and iii. facilitating and conducting public meetings, seminars, workshops and professional presentations. i Taken from Kieren, D., Vaines, E., & Badir, D. (1984). The home economist as a helping professional. Winnipeg: Ronald P. Frye & Company. 5