FA 494 | Course Introduction and Application Information - Department of Textile and Fashion Design

Course Name

Graduation Thesis

Code	Semester	Theory (hour/week)	Application/Lab (hour/week)	Local Credits	ECTS
FA 494	Spring	2	2	3	5

Prerequisites	None
Course Language	English
Course Type	Required
Course Level	First Cycle
Mode of Delivery	face to face
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course	Discussion Problem Solving Case Study Q&A Critical feedback Lecture / Presentation Report Writing
National Occupation Classification	-
Course Coordinator	Doç. Dr. Arzu VURUŞKAN
Course Lecturer(s)	Doç. Dr. Arzu VURUŞKAN
Assistant(s)	-

Course Objectives	The objective of this course is to write an academic paper based on extensive literature research.
Learning Outcomes	The students who succeeded in this course; will be able to formulate a problem statement. will be able to conduct an independent literature research. will be able to structure an academic paper. will be able to analyze primary and secondary sources. will be able to present the results of their academic research in an oral presentation to an audience of peers. will be able to use a system of reference and bibliography.
Course Description	Supported by a series of lectures, paralleled by a series of minor assignments, students will write an academic paper of ca. 3000 words, about a fashion related subject of their own choice.
Related Sustainable Development Goals

Course Category	Core Courses
	Major Area Courses	X
	Supportive Courses
	Media and Management Skills Courses
	Transferable Skill Courses

Week	Subjects	Related Preparation
1	Introduction: what is academic research? What is an academic text?	Flynn, Z.C. & Foster I.M. (2009). Research Methods for the Fashion Industry, Fairchild Books. Chapter 1. Research Theory, pp.1-26. 1.
2	Lecture: How to formulate a research question; how to find a suitable subject; exercise in finding library sources online; preparation for assignment I Discussion of possible topics.	Flynn, Z.C. & Foster I.M. (2009). Research Methods for the Fashion Industry, Fairchild Books. Chapters 2-3. pp. 27-66. Read the manual "writing a graduation thesis" (included in the syllabus of this course); think about research field.
3	The purpose and place of references Writing exercise: footnotes. Preparation for assignment II (summary of basic texts in your field of research)	Hand in assignment I: big question, little question + titles of academic texts that will further your research Flynn, Z.C. & Foster I.M. (2009). Research Methods for the Fashion Industry, Fairchild Books. Chapters 2-3. pp. 27-66.Chapters4-5, pp 67-96.
4	Research methods The use of sources; primary, secondary	Prepare oral presentation of your subject; what kind of sources will you use for answering the ‘little question’? Flynn, Z.C. & Foster I.M. (2009). Research Methods for the Fashion Industry, Fairchild Books. Chapters 6-7-8-9, pp.97-192.
5	How to handle the writing process and how to avoid plagiarism. Writing exercise; compare three texts	Turn in assignment II (summary of basic texts, 1000 words with footnotes) This text will be the introduction part of your thesis
6	Creating a bibliography Exercise: create part of your bibliography
7	Group appointments with teacher; feedback on assignment II	Bring a proposal for sources for chapter 2 of your thesis
8	Introduction to assignment V: Draft version of the thesis (Introduction, 2 chapters, conclusion)	Write and turn in assignment III: Proposal for the structure of the thesis with a definitive problem statement, a table of contents and a bibliography
9	Midterm week
10	Individual appointments with teacher for feedback on assignment 3	Keep writing and prepare questions for feedback session
11	Assignment IV: Power Point Presentation. Present (plans for) your research in max. 5 slides with a max. of 40 words for each slide	Bring results of your research
12	Evaluation of the course; preparation for final submission	Turn in assignment V: Draft version of the thesis (Introduction, 2 chapters, conclusion)
13	Review of draft papers (individual appointments)	Prepare questions for feedback session
14	Power Point presentations	Turn in assignment VI (final version of thesis)
15	Semester Review
16	Semester Review

Course Notes/Textbooks

All the information about the course, plus the Manual: How to write a Graduation Thesis are included in the syllabus belonging to this course

Flynn, Z.C. & Foster I.M. (2009). Research Methods for the Fashion Industry, Fairchild Books.

Suggested Readings/Materials

R E C O M ME N D E D T E X T S :

For students also wishing to research or improve their thesis writing, the following books are in the reserved section of the Library:
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 7th ed. Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 2007.
Teitelbaum, Harry. How to Write a Thesis. 2nd ed. Pearson Education Ltd. (January 1, 1989)

Joan I. Miller, Bruce J. Taylor. The Thesis Writer’s Handbook: A Complete One Source Guide for Writers of Research Papers. Alcove Pub Co (January 1987)

R E C O M M E N D E D W E B S I T E S :

http://ss.ieu.edu.tr/downloads/thesis.pdf

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/cgos/idx_basic.html

http://www.graduate.ua.edu/thesis/manual/index.html

http://www.socialresearchmethods.net

http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/programs/thesis/guidelines/preparation/

http://www-cdr.stanford.edu/

http://copac.ac.uk/copac/

http://www.designresearchsociety.org/

http://copac.ac.uk/

Semester Activities	Number	Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	1	20
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments	1	40
Presentation / Jury
Project	1	40
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm
Final Exam
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade	3	100
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
Total

Semester Activities	Number	Duration (Hours)	Workload
Theoretical Course Hours (Including exam week: 16 x total hours)	16	2	32
Laboratory / Application Hours (Including exam week: '.16.' x total hours)	16	2	32
Study Hours Out of Class	14	1	14
Field Work			0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques	1	16	16
Portfolio			0
Homework / Assignments	4	9	36
Presentation / Jury			0
Project	1	20	20
Seminar / Workshop			0
Oral Exam			0
Midterms			0
Final Exam			0
		Total	150

#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	* Contribution Level
#	Program Competencies/Outcomes	1	2	3	4	5
1	To be able to develop and design a collection independently.	-	-	-	-	-
2	To be able to do maintain a design research individually or as a team.	-	-	-	X	-
3	To be able to develop entrepreneurship- and managerial skills for a future professional practice.	-	-	-	-	-
4	To be able to understand, interpret and apply theoretical knowledge in fashion and textile design.	-	-	X	-	-
5	To be able to analyze and integrate the particular local and regional needs and of their profession.	-	-	-	-	-
6	To be able to obtain a multidisciplinary point of view, follow and analyze the new issues, changes and trends in contemporary design and art in such a way that they can be integrated into design practice.	-	-	-	-	-
7	To be able to apply industrial requirements, knowledge of material & usage and know-how knowledge in the creation of high quality fashion products.	-	-	-	-	-
8	To be able to use digital information and communication technologies at a level that is adequate to the discipline of fashion and textile design.	-	-	-	-	-
9	To be able to develop an ongoing analytical and professional approach to academic and design research.	-	-	-	-	X
10	To be able to recognize the need and importance of a personal lifelong learning attitude towards their chosen area of interest.	-	-	-	-	-
11	To be able to collect data in the areas of fashion and textile design and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1).	-	-	-	-	-
12	To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.	-	-	-	-	-
13	To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout the human history to their field of expertise.	-	-	-	-	-