As human beings, we constantly shape and reshape our environment; in doing so we shape and reshape our relationship to the aesthetics of that environment. Courses in this theme could explore the relationship of design choices to varied aesthetic systems and media, how humans produce meaning through interaction with designed artifacts, and ways that design can be used for understanding and improving the human condition.

Themes in General Education are Designed to: assist students in making systematic and deliberate connections between the ways various disciplinary perspectives address the same topic. provide a framework for faculty in different departments to collaborate on research projects and share innovative teaching strategies. encourage students to explore areas of specific interest at a deeper level.

FCS Apparel and Consumer Behavior – 3 credit hours (Fall) An introductory study of the nature and importance of life styles; communication, economics, psychology, sociology, design and concepts of manufacturing, marketing and retailing as factors which influence consumer acceptance and utilization of fashions. Lecture three hours.

This is an introduction to product design and problem-solving techniques. Emphasis is given to history of industrial design, methods for communicating design ideas, systematic design, product design specifications, corporate strategies in planning product innovations, fundamentals of materials and manufacturing processes used in the mass production of consumer products. Students will write multiple reports and give oral presentations throughout the semester. Selected assignments from this course will be appropriate for inclusion in student portfolios. Lecture three hours.