Major in Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture
Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology
What is a Major in Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture?
This major covers how textiles and clothing are designed, produced, distributed, and used, and examines issues such as sustainability and fair labour practices in the global fashion and textile industry. You’ll develop an understanding of how textiles and clothing affect our comfort, sense of wellbeing and identity, and how they’ve been used throughout history. This major does not focus on the business of fashion, but does examine the textile supply chain from design and manufacturing to evaluation and consumption.
Is this program for me?
Ever wonder where your clothes come from? Explore the creative, technical, historical, social, and applied aspects of clothing and textiles, products and interiors. Study textiles and clothing with a focus on the impacts and applications for people. Examples include using textile science to help protect workers in hazardous workplaces, or interior design that accommodates older adults and persons with disabilities.
Exhibiting knowledge
The Human Ecology Gallery annually exhibits a curated selection of clothing and textiles according to a theme, often depicting the factors like time and place that influence how we dress. The [De]Coded: Deciphering the Dialectics of Dress exhibition revealed the coded messages behind the clothes we wear, from expressing individual identity to highlighting larger societal issues of gender, class and culture.
Featured Courses
An introduction to the soft goods industry including an overview of the apparel sector, apparel production, channels of distribution, fashion oriented products, global competitive influences, and career opportunities.
In this studio course students develop fundamental awareness and skills for the textiles and clothing field including machine operation, design and construction terminology, pattern manipulation and fit, and quality construction techniques. Students construct samples and garments with a focus on professional standards in problem solving and production.
The complex phenomenon of bodily adornment is explored in relationship to values, attitudes, activities, beliefs, and forms of knowledge. Clothing is considered in terms of how it is expressive of various aspects of culture. Students develop analytical skills to help them understand the role played by clothing in different times, places, and contexts.
Explores how to do research into the relationships between people and objects (from clothing to buildings). Students will learn how to conduct primary research through a range of methods, approaches, and theories associated with material culture and design studies.
Feature Careers
Conservators plan, coordinate, and participate in the preservation and conservation of natural and cultural heritage. This may include contemporary, historic and prehistoric objects, Indigenous materials, natural history specimens, archival materials, and works of art. They also study and manage environmental influences on artifact preservation. Average Salary: $81,979.00
Fashion designers and product developers create clothing and accessories. This can include jewellery, belts, shoes, gloves, uniforms, costumes, and hats. Using specialized equipment, they develop and construct patterns for garments in various industries.
Source: Government of Alberta, Occupations in Alberta
- New research dispels ‘happy wife, happy life’ stereotype
- Confronting the intersection of paid work and care work
- Researchers aim to make virus-killing clothing a good fit for the production line
- Fashion exhibit cracks the codes behind the clothes we wear
- Human Ecology Practicum Program Field Supervisors receive 2021 UAlberta Advocate Award
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