Abstract
This study analyzes the current educational curricula in the field of Clothing and Textiles in order to develop appropriate educational methods and courses. We reviewed the curricula offered by 58 Clothing and Textiles Departments at four-year universities in Korea. We analyzed the educational content of each curriculum by dividing all of the courses offered into eight categories. The analysis was based on the information posted on the universities' Internet websites, and the analysis was performed by using descriptive statistics. The results of this study are as follows: First, the educational courses of the Clothing and Textiles Departments are composed of, 36.2% design, 20.4% production, and 14.5% textile categories. In comparison with the results of a similar study conducted in 1999, emphases on the design, distribution, and marketing categories have increased, while the emphases on the production, apparel material, basic knowledge, and consumption science categories have decreased. Second, in the case of the apparel material category, basic knowledge of materials constituted 18.5%, the largest part of the category. The average number of units offered in the area of apparel materials by the 58 Departments was 17 units per year. The curricula were found to vary by regions of the country. The universities located in the Chungcheong region offer more textile material courses, but the universities in the Capital region offer fewer textile material courses than other regions. Departments that are affiliated with universities that emphasize Art and Design have more courses on basic knowledge, dyeing and finishing, and fabric design than other universities.
