Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	10/04/2023
Top Code	130300 - Fashion
Units	3 Total Units
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

An introduction to, and overview of, responsible business, also known as triple bottom line business, with a focus on environmental sustainability, responsible decision making, social impact, corporate social responsibility, regulatory compliance, certifications, and other emerging technologies. Students will examine current topics, concepts, trends, and rules that are driving sustainability and responsible business movements and will develop an understanding of, and a lexicon for, sustainable business practices. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Students will explain environmental sustainability as it relates to them personally and to apparel industry business: What our impacts are, where they occur and how they can be minimized.
2. Students will identify, within the apparel industry, positive social impact projects, examples of ethical decision making, and corporate social responsibility programs that are meaningful, impactful and thorough, and will be able to explain how they can benefit a company and our society.
3. Students will apply their understanding of regulatory compliance, local laws, codes of conduct, regulations and the law to the development of business planning projects, operations details, creative and analytical decision making and brand building within the apparel industry.

Course Objectives

• 1. Understand and explain current information on current topics in sustainability and the apparel industry.
• 2. Describe the term sustainability and identify how it applies to business and the apparel industry.
• 3. Describe the term sustainability and identify how it applies to the apparel economy.
• 4. Track the impacts our decisions in the workplace and in our personal lives have on people and the planet.
• 5. Identify and explore current information related to compliance in the apparel industry.
• 6. Identify and explore current information related to regulation and audits of the apparel industry.
• 7. Identify and explore current information related to certifications in the apparel industry.
• 8. Develop an understanding of ethics in the workplace.
• 9. Research and write on the following concepts and how they relate to the apparel industry: Circular economy, social impact, triple bottom line, zero-waste, and ethical manufacturing.

---

Lecture Content

General Intro to Topics and Definitions Sustainability Biodiversity Ecology Biomimicry Recycling Upcycling Downcycling Closed loop manufacturing Emissions Carbon neutral Sustainability Early definitions and what it has come to mean Where is it being applied Triple bottom line The UNs Sustainable Development Goals Case Studies The Behavior of Consumerism How we shop How we consume What we expect from brands/ services How we dispose The role business plays The role consumers play Ethics in Business and the Apparel Industry Good vs. Bad / Right vs. Wrong Ethical Manufacturing Civil society organizations Aligning business decisions and values Case studies Climate Change and its Impacts and the Apparel Industry Land Waterways Weather Society Economy Recycling and Upcycling in the Circular Economy Best suited materials Supply chain decisions Solutions Circular economy: where it is occurring, the progress that has been made, work to be done, and new developments.  Zero Waste and its use in the Apparel Industry Waste streams Operational management Metrics Cradle to cradle Energy, Waste, and Water Efficiency: How they Apply to the Apparel Industry Use and conservation Renewables  Recycling Innovations and options Land Use and Pollution: Impacts of the Apparel Industry Supply chain traceability Material impacts< / Regulations Agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry Managing Emissions: The Role of the Apparel Industry Background Reducing emissions Offsetting emissions The Health of our Waterways and Oceans: Impacts from the Apparel Industry Fisheries  Ecosystem management Provided benefits Technology Innovations in the Apparel Industry Automation Upcycling New chemicals Circularity Energy, waste and water management Legal and Environmental Regulations Related the Apparel Industry: Codes of Conduct, Social Audits, and Standards Local standards Global standards Materials  Manufacturing  Chemicals  Working conditions Social Impacts on the Business of the Apparel Industry Non-profit/ NGOs For-profit Civil society organizations Volunteerism Governmental organizations

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture, demonstration, field observations and guest speakers (as available), critique, guided online/print resources, documentary reviews, conference archives, student presentation, online and hybrid instruction when available.

Reading Assignments

Guided online and print resources provided by the instructor. Textbook reading. 2-3 hours per week.

Writing Assignments

Research paper. Assessments, reviews, and evaluations submitted in writing. 2-3 hours per week.

Out-of-class Assignments

Field observations and assessments. Documentary reviews. 1-2 hours per week.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will research, analyze and critique current sustainability practices through writing assignments, in-class discussion, business case proposals, and exams.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Student will complete the following based on course content and required assignments: reading/ writing assignments, short answer assessments, theory and solutions analysis, and prepare a sustainability lesson plan for fellow students.

Eligible Disciplines

Business: Masters degree in business, business management, business administration, accountancy, finance, marketing, or business education OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in economics, personnel management, public administration, or Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Legum Baccalaureus (LL.B.) degree OR bachelors degree in economics with a business emphasis AND masters degree in personnel management, public administration, or J.D. or LL.B. degree OR the equivalent. Masters degree required. Earth science: Masters degree in geology, geophysics, earth sciences, meteorology, oceanography, or paleontology OR bachelors degree in geology AND masters degree in geography, physics, or geochemistry OR the equivalent. Masters degree required. Fashion and related technologies (merchandising, design, production): Any bachelors degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Chouinard, Yvon; Stanley Vincent, et al. . The Responsible Company: What Weve Learned From Patagonias First 40 Years, latest ed. Patagonia Books , 2012 Rationale: Overview of concept and terms for the course. Case study of sustainable business practices.  2. Required Davis Burns, Leslie.. SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN FASHION, latest ed. Fairchild, 2019

Periodicals Resources

1. . Bloomsbury Fashion Business Case Studies, Volume 2023

Other Resources

1. Documentary Films related to subject.