Retail (RTL) Courses

RTL1015 Introduction to Retail and Fashion

This course is an overview of the retail and fashion industries. Students explore historical influences on contemporary industries as well as the process of developing and producing apparel products and retailing consumer goods. Types of retailers and retail channels are emphasized as are industry research methods.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL2005 Global Sourcing

This course allows students to examine the import marketing process, import regulations, sources of supply, supplier management and development, and transportation in order to learn how to participate in the global marketplace and negotiate in cross-cultural situations.
Prerequisite(s): MRKT1001, sophomore status.
Offered at Charlotte, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL2008 The Textiles Industry

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the textiles industry. Students explore fibers, yarns, fabrics, dyes, prints and finishes. Emphasis is on factors that affect the hand, appearance and performance of textiles and textile products. The manufacturing of yarns and fabrics (woven, knitted and nonwoven) are examined in order to evaluate appropriate end uses.
Prerequisite(s): RTL1015.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL2010 Apparel Quality Analysis

This course provides students with a method for evaluating the quality of ready-to-wear apparel. Students explore textiles, construction techniques, performance characteristics and the link between quality and price. Focus is on making informed business decisions in fashion merchandising and marketing using an understanding of how apparel is produced and an appreciation of the features that affect cost and quality.
Prerequisite(s): RTL2008.
Offered at Charlotte, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL2050 Fashion Promotion

The course explores the principles of fashion promotion as they relate to planning, selling and marketing fashion merchandise to consumers. Students explore the nature of the contemporary fashion promotion industry, and its use of integrated marketing communications to inform consumers of trends and styles.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL2122 Retail and Fashion Lab

This course is a career exploration of a variety of merchandising functions. Part of this course takes place in a laboratory setting with students completing hands-on assignments resembling merchandise management activities. Students conduct market analysis, trend research, buying, and visual merchandising under the supervision of faculty with industry expertise. This course includes industry field visits. Students are encouraged to examine personal and professional goals as they visit with local industry hosts and alumni. Students develop professional skills and network with industry speakers as they discover many retail and fashion career paths.
Prerequisite(s): RTL1015, sophomore status.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
4 Semester Credits

RTL3010 Merchandise Buying

This course provides the student with principles of merchandising buying. Students review the environmental factors that influence the behavior of consumers and the techniques for predicting merchandise cycles. This course outlines the merchandising activities and marketing trends of those industries involved with producing and selling goods in the marketplace. Students examine the merchandising activities and decisions expected of a buyer at the retail level. Buying activities are compared for a variety of retail settings.
Prerequisite(s): RTL1015.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3030 Cases in Fashion and Retail

This course analyzes and compares fashion and retail merchandise and management techniques used in specialty store, department store, chain store and mass merchandising operations. A case study approach is used in evaluating merchandise and management decisions in a variety of cases involving issues, types of operations and levels of management.
Prerequisite(s): RTL2063, junior status.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3055 History of Fashion

This advanced course focuses on the elements affecting dress from antiquity through the 20th century. Using an interdisciplinary approach, students explore the complex relationship between dress and textiles as a reflection of material culture and phenomena, such as social structure, technology, aesthetics, geography, politics and religion. The constants and changes in human ecology are analyzed using primary sources including archeological discoveries, artworks, written documents, period photographs and extant objects. Critical thinking skills and scholarship are emphasized as students apply a historical framework to real-world issues in today's global marketplace.
Prerequisite(s): Junior status.
Offered at Charlotte, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3065 Forecasting

This course provides an overview of the field of fashion forecasting. Students learn to research, identify and evaluate trends in themes, colors, textiles and styles, as well as their impact on the textile and apparel industries. They explore garment components in order to better recognize fashion trends and develop fashion forecasts based on consumer, aesthetic and market research.
Prerequisite(s): RTL2095 or RTL2122.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3075 Textile Design for Apparel and Home Furnishings

This hands-on course is an introduction to basic textile design techniques used by designers and manufacturers. Topics include the aesthetic and performance characteristics of fibers, yarns, weaves and knits, as well as motif development and pattern design. Methods of design incorporate dyeing, printing, surface manipulation, and embellishments. The development and ethical issues of the textile industry are also explored. Students develop an appreciation for the historic and cultural value relevant to each method and create collections of textile samples for both apparel and home.
Prerequisite(s): RTL2008.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3150 Special Topics in Fashion, Retailing and Marketing

This course is a study of how fashion, retailing and marketing trends today impact consumers, business and society. Emphasis is on current literature, advanced problems and research tools applicable to the chosen topic. This course focuses on a different area, issue or theme each year, depending on student interest. The topic area may not be usually found in the conventional classroom course.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore status.
Offered at Charlotte, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3212 Sustainability in the Fashion Industry

This course is designed to introduce students to the topic of sustainability in the fashion industry. Students are exposed to the core issues and challenges of sustainable apparel. Focus is on the management of processes involved with raw materials, textile production, apparel design, manufacturing, selling and disposal in order to produce a positive impact on society. Concepts of the fashion supply chain and its sustainability (environmental, economic and ethical) are examined.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3240 Retail Math

This course teaches the concepts, practices and procedures for math utilized in merchandising. Students use calculations and interpretations of figures needed to allocate merchandise investments, control of sales, and control inventory (including planning and pricing) to be profitable in retail environments. The course approaches retail management from the standpoint of the retail businessperson and is intended to serve as a tool for the student of merchandising management.
Prerequisite(s): RTL1015.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL3350 Visual Merchandising

This course aids students in the development of skills necessary to the creation of strategic and innovative visual merchandising. Emphasis is on the importance of color and composition, types of displays, fixtures, and brand image. Other topics include the use of mannequins, mannequin alternatives, signage and floor plans, as well as display space conceptualization and implementation.
Prerequisite(s): RTL1015.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

RTL4050 Strategic Planning in the Fashion Industry

This senior-level capstone course integrates theory and real-world situations. Using research, data collection and analysis, students evaluate, formulate and implement business strategies for the fashion and retail industries. This course examines the momentum of omni-channel retailing as brick and mortar, e-commerce, and social commerce create seamless shopping experiences. Students research financial, merchandising, and competitive data from fashion and retail organizations and determine advanced merchandising strategies.
Prerequisite(s): RTL3030 or RTL3065, senior status.
Offered at Charlotte, Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits