Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, Major in Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture

Human Ecology is a dynamic field that explores the relationships between people and the environments they interact with. In this program, students will take a multidisciplinary approach to solve problems and enhance potential in all environments where people live and work: the social, natural, cultural, political and material. It’s a fascinating, applied field of study that provides graduates with the tools necessary to understand and enhance everyday life. This program will help students prepare for a future career as a professional human ecologist (P.HEc) or for work in one of the many related fields.

This Major in Clothing, Textiles & Material Culture 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. Students will 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.

Human Ecologists help people enhance their well-being and quality of life at home, at work and in the community. They provide advisory, counselling, management, research and education services related to family functioning, parenting, consumer issues, money management, textiles and clothing, and community resources.

What You’ll Learn

• Interviewing and counselling.
• Human sexuality.
• Apparel design and construction fundamentals.
• Introduction to Nanotechnologies and Smart Textiles.