Bachelor of Consumer Sciences in Fashion Retail Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of the four-year qualification is to provide graduates with a well-rounded, specialised education of the fashion retail management discipline of consumer sciences. This will equip them with an integrated knowledge base, theory and methodology of the aforementioned discipline of consumer sciences, business and communication modules to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic as well as a professional context. In addition, graduates are also enabled to apply for enrolment into a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Consumer Sciences.

The specialisations of this qualification, namely fashion supply and fashion communication, have specifically been designed to deliver graduates with the purpose of specialising in either side of the fashion chain. Students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge, as well as specific and specialised skills and other relevant competences required, to identify and investigate complex consumer issues and develop logical and innovative solutions for the consumer, retailers, manufacturers and communities.

Rationale

South Africa is in many ways still a developing country in need of specialist professions that focus on the improvement of the quality of life of its citizens. In addition, there is currently a shift from a product focus to a consumer focus where in-depth knowledge about consumer needs and behaviours is required to provide the required products/services. Furthermore, the industry requires specialists in the field of fashion, retail management to be cognisant of the ever-changing consumer demands. This qualification will offer learners the opportunity to specialise in either fashion supply or fashion communication, the two sides of the value chain of fashion, thereby giving graduates the opportunity to enrol for a qualification with a specific career in mind. By offering the specialisation in either fashion supply or fashion communication, graduates with different skills, competencies and interests will be accommodated.

This qualification with its two different focuses on fashion supply and fashion communication will provide candidates the opportunity to become specialists in the supply or communication of fashion retail products/services in congruence with South African consumer needs.

Various role-players are involved whenever products/services directed at the complex needs of consumers. This value chain creates many different employment opportunities either closer to the manufacturing/supply side or more indirectly in the consumer side.

This qualification is therefore necessary and will enable consumer specialists to be employed in industry as specialists in the field of fashion retail management, thereby improving the lives of South African (SA) consumers and making an important contribution to the SA economy and development. Graduates will thus be able to enter into general employment of either the fashion retail sector or the fashion industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for this qualification will adhere to and be applied in accordance with the relevant General Academic Rules of the University as well as the accepted procedures for RPL as stipulated by the Faculty and the School. This entails that a committee is appointed with this task, and will evaluate the applicant's application and ensure that the policy and rules are adhered to.

Any application for this qualification on the basis of RPL, will be handled in accordance with the applicable General Rules of the University and the Faculty Rules which will include, but not be limited to, an access evaluation and applied competencies evaluation in relation to the outcomes of the new qualification.

Entry Requirements

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies and with appropriate subjects and levels of achievement.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 582 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 124 Credits

• Financial Accounting (Special), 16 Credits.
• Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Business Management, 12 Credits.
• General Management, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to communication contexts, 12 Credits.
• Introductory Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Marketing Management, 16 Credits.
• Design Studies, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Basic Fashion Product Development, 12.
• The world of Fashion, 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5

• Introduction to mass communication, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Journalism, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics, 12 Credits.
• Basic and micro economics, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 104 Credits

• Financial Management, 16 Credits.
• Intercultural Communication, 16 Credits.
• Know and understand the world of health, 12 Credits.
• Consumer Fashion Practice 1, 4 Credits.
• Consumerism and Introduction to Consumer Decision-Making, 12 Credits.
• Intermediate Fashion Production Skills, 12 Credits.
• The Fashion Consumer, 16 Credits.
• Fashion Product Selection, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6

• International Trade, 16 Credits.
• Publishing (DTP), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 108 Credits

• Operations Management, 16 Credits.
• Product Decisions, 16 Credits.
• Consumer Fashion Practice 2, 4 Credits.
• Consumer Decision-Making: Internal factors, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Fashion Production Skills 1, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Fashion skills 2, 12 Credits.
• Fashion Textiles, 16 Credits.
• Fashion Merchandising, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 7

• International Business Communication, 16 Credits.
• Communication Management Plan, 16 Credits.
• Integrated marketing Communication (IMC), 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Consumer Fashion Practice 3, 8 Credits.
• Fashion Retail Management, 16 Credits.
• Consumer Fashion Decision-Making: External Factors, 16 Credits.
• Consumer Fashion Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Consumer Education and Training: Fashion, 16 Credits.
• Project: Fashion Research, 48 Credits.

1. Demonstrate integrated knowledge of and engagement in the discipline of Consumer Sciences related to consumer behaviour concerning fashion products and resources, and demonstrate the ability to evaluate and apply concepts, principles, theories, skills as well as research methodologies thereof, critically.
2. Integrate different fashion-related theories, skills and scientific resources in order to identify, investigate and analyse complex product and consumer issues critically; and develop logical and innovative solutions to problems typically experienced by South African consumers, retailers, and manufacturers in a professional, ethical and responsible manner.
3. Communicate consumer-related issues, innovative solutions and research findings to a range of audiences in writing and orally in an academically correct and professional manner, using different types of media and technologies.
4. Work effectively as an individual and as a member or leader of a group, taking responsibility for self-regulated learning when studying fashion-related processes and systems in order for the individual and/or group to logically achieve the outcome of aiming to improve consumer well-being in varying contexts.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify and critically discuss all basic theories and principles within the domain of Consumer Sciences, concerning fashion products and resources, in order to solve contextual consumer-related aspects.
• Evaluate, select and apply fashion-related knowledge, skills and methodologies, to solve relevant issues and needs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify, investigate and critically analyse South African consumer issues within fashion retail industries, and integrate scientific resources that can be implemented to develop logical solutions to alleviate these aspects.
• Analyse, evaluate and apply appropriate literature, theories and scientific resources, to solve fashion-related issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Write research findings, solutions and opinions in well-formulated arguments, whilst considering the rules of plagiarism and copyright, of consumer-related issues.
• Present and discuss fashion-related aspects and needs, using different types of media and technologies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Provide logic written proof to enhance consumer well-being either individually or in a group, while studying fashion-related problems, processes and systems.
• Provide solutions to fashion-related needs and aspects individually and in a group, to improve consumer well-being within the domain of Consumer Sciences.

Integrated Assessment

The following assessment methods will be used

• Continuous and authentic assessment strategies will be employed. The relevant module study guides will contain the necessary information, assessment criteria and instructions for formative and summative assessment opportunities. Different types of formative and summative assessments will be applied in the different modules.
• Formative Assessment:

A written or online assignments and tests (e.g. via eFundi), analysis and solving of case studies, individual and group presentations; problem solving, on-campus laboratory and practical skills assessments, peer assessments, and evaluation of exercise adherence reports.

- Summative Assessment

One three-hour, formal written examination and, where applicable, one five-hour practical examination per module. Integrated assessment will be in the form of written and practical assignments, integrated portfolios and practical assessments and oral presentations of integrated mini-projects or seminars in individual as well as group contexts.