The Media School
Minor in Fashion Media – Minors
The Fashion Media minor is a perfect choice for students fascinated by the world of fashion media. This minor combines courses from The Media School and the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture and Design to provide students a unique window into the world of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle media, while also providing an inside perspective of the apparel and fashion industry.
Requirements
The minor requires at least 15 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Fashion Core. One (1) course:
- SOAD-M 109 Apparel Industries
SOAD-M 109 Apparel Industries
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduction to the retail cycle related to the interdisciplinary study of and research in apparel and textiles. Examines social and economic theories underlying the fashion business, retail merchandising principles, consumer behavior, and contemporary retail issues.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-R 209, SOAD-M 109, or SOAD-M 209.
- Media Core. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 250 Story Lab I
MSCH-C 250 Story Lab I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Intensive, hands-on course introduces storytelling skills, techniques and tools for effective media creation in a digital, multi-platform environment and provides the knowledge and skills needed for success in higher-level, more specialized courses of study across the Media School curriculum, including advertising, digital media, journalism, and public relations.
- Grading
- Students are able to earn credit for only one of the following: MSCH-C 250; JOUR-J 210; MSCH-C 226; MSCH-C 21001
- Media Skills. One (1) course:
- MSCH-J 326 Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Media
MSCH-J 326 Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the world of media related to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle (FBL). Focuses on cultural influence, media history, sustainability, and the future of FBL. Includes analysis of bodies of knowledge associated with past and present expressions of human behaviors, beliefs, and experiences related to FBL.
- Fashion Media Advanced Courses. Two (2) courses:
- MSCH-C 232 Media, Fashion and Politics when taken Fall 2026 or later
- MSCH-C 233 Media and Pluralism when taken Fall 2026 or later
- MSCH-C 320 Social Media Tactics when taken Fall 2026 or later
- MSCH-J 426 Reporting on Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle
- MSCH-R 350 PR Strategies for Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Communication
- MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor) when taken prior to Fall 2026
- SOAD-F 203 Materials for Merchandising and Fashion Design when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-F 301 Fashion Studies: Topics in Cultural Analysis when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-F 312 Fashion Studies: Autobiographies of Dress and the Body when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-F 401 Fashion Studies: Fashion and Social Issues when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-F 406 Fashion Studies: Fashion Theory when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-F 411 Fashion Studies: Behavioral Analysis when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-F 485 Advanced Special Topics in Fashion Design when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-M 308 Brand Management and Advertising when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-M 350 Omnichannel Innovation when taken Fall 2026 or later
- SOAD-F 406 Fashion Studies: Fashion Theory when taken prior to Fall 2026
- SOAD-F 411 Fashion Studies: Behavioral Analysis when taken prior to Fall 2026
- SOAD-M 308 Brand Management and Advertising when taken prior to Fall 2026
- SOAD-M 350 Omnichannel Innovation when taken prior to Fall 2026
MSCH-C 232 Media, Fashion and Politics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- It is through media that fashion reflects culture, social movements, and trends. This course explores the relationship between media, fashion, and politics and applies media effects and visual communication theory to the examination of key moments where fashion and politics have merged.
MSCH-C 233 Media and Pluralism
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Explores the intricate relationship between media and representations of pluralism in society, focusing on key areas such as journalism, digital media, film/cinema, and gaming.
MSCH-C 320 Social Media Tactics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to better understand social media, how they are utilized across fields such as advertising, journalism, media management and public relations, and what tactical and strategic considerations are necessary to most effectively use social networking tools in commercial and non-profit communication.
MSCH-J 426 Reporting on Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-J 326 or MSCH-J 353, or consent from instructor
- Description
- Focuses on covering fashion trends, fashion designers, and key issues related to fashion. Covers theoretical concepts related to multimedia storytelling, visual communication, business reporting, audience effects, social media analysis, and public relations and applies these concepts through hands-on experiences in multimedia reporting.
MSCH-R 350 PR Strategies for Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Communication
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or above in MSCH-C 208 or SOAD-M 109 or MSCH-C 250 or MSCH-J 326
- Description
- Public relations strategies grounded in research and aligned with brand mission and image are integral to the practice of strategic communication management. This course provides training in the knowledge and skills required to develop effective strategies in brand communication within the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle media space.
MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- Application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Topical course integrating classroom and field experience. Includes 10-day field experience during or after term offered. Field experience will change based on topic.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit with different topics in JOUR-J 418, MSCH-J 418, and MSCH-X 478.
SOAD-F 203 Materials for Merchandising and Fashion Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- SOAD-A 100, SOAD-M 109, SOAD-M 209, or AMID-R 100 with a grade of C- or higher
- Notes
- Lecture plus laboratory. Course fee required
- Description
- Textile fibers, yarns, fabrication, and finishes, textile processing and properties; selection and care of textiles for human use.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-F 203 or SOAD-F 203.
SOAD-F 301 Fashion Studies: Topics in Cultural Analysis
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Dress as a reflection of the physical, social, psychological, and aesthetic environment of various non-US cultures; responses to and uses of dress as an aspect of global culture and individual behavior. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Fall 2026CASE GCCcourseSummer 2026CASE GCCcourse
SOAD-F 312 Fashion Studies: Autobiographies of Dress and the Body
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- at least junior standing or consent of instructor
- Description
- Critical reading of autobiographies from diverse perspectives (race, class, gender, religion, disability, etc.) in order to develop empathy for the values and needs of diverse fashion consumers. Includes reflection/discussion about the practice of reading and writing autobiographies.
- Fall 2026CASE AHcourseSummer 2026CASE AHcourse
SOAD-F 401 Fashion Studies: Fashion and Social Issues
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing
- Description
- Explores aspects of contemporary fashion and how societal issues manifest in fashion phenomena of the 20th and 21st centuries. Areas to be explored may include diversity and inclusivity, the effects of media on body image, the impact of new technologies on fashion and lifestyle trends, future fashion, and gender fluidity.
SOAD-F 406 Fashion Studies: Fashion Theory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Survey of methodologies and research techniques for analysis of fashion diffusion and change.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-F 406 or SOAD-F 406.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourse
SOAD-F 411 Fashion Studies: Behavioral Analysis
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Basic concepts and theories from social psychology are used to study how clothing affects the self and others.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourse
SOAD-F 485 Advanced Special Topics in Fashion Design
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Consent of instructor
- Description
- Advanced selected topics in an area of fashion design. Topics will vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in AMID-F 485, AMID-F 490, and SOAD-F 485.
SOAD-M 308 Brand Management and Advertising
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing
- Description
- Strategic marketing communication centered on building and maintaining brand equity, encompassing all stages of the retail cycle.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-R 308 or SOAD-M 308.
SOAD-M 350 Omnichannel Innovation
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Application of Human-Centered Design (HCD, aka. design thinking) in omnichannel merchandising to develop innovative omnichannel solutions and improve consumer/human experience.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-R 350 or SOAD-M 350.
SOAD-F 406 Fashion Studies: Fashion Theory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Survey of methodologies and research techniques for analysis of fashion diffusion and change.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-F 406 or SOAD-F 406.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourse
SOAD-F 411 Fashion Studies: Behavioral Analysis
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Basic concepts and theories from social psychology are used to study how clothing affects the self and others.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourse
SOAD-M 308 Brand Management and Advertising
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing
- Description
- Strategic marketing communication centered on building and maintaining brand equity, encompassing all stages of the retail cycle.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-R 308 or SOAD-M 308.
SOAD-M 350 Omnichannel Innovation
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Application of Human-Centered Design (HCD, aka. design thinking) in omnichannel merchandising to develop innovative omnichannel solutions and improve consumer/human experience.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of AMID-R 350 or SOAD-M 350.
- Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- Minor Upper Division Courses. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300-499 level.
- Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
- Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor--including those where a grade lower than C- is earned--is required.
Minor Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
Exclusions
The following courses cannot be applied toward minor requirements:
- ANTH-E 422 Native American and Indigenous Media
- ENG-R 339 Freedom of Speech
ANTH-E 422 Native American and Indigenous Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Study of contemporary Native American and global indigenous representation and communication, including oral performance and media. Explores the poetics and politics of media and performance in the context of indigenous histories, cultures, and experiences of colonization. Examines the use of performance forms as symbolic resources in literature, film, the Internet, music and television. Addresses intersections of gender, class and race in indigenous media worlds.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-E 422 or CMCL-C 430.
- Fall 2026CASE SHcourseSummer 2026CASE SHcourse
ENG-R 339 Freedom of Speech
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- An examination of the concept of freedom of speech as a historical, philosophical, legal, and rhetorical concept.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CMCL-C 339 or ENG-R 339.
- Fall 2026CASE AHcourseSummer 2026CASE AHcourse
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism [JOURBAJ]
- Bachelor of Arts in Media [MEDIABA]
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts [CINEARTBFA]
- Bachelor of Science in Game Design [GAMEDSGNBS]
- Certificate in Journalism [JOURUGACR1]
- [Name unavailable] [PBLCRELNBS]
- [Name unavailable] [SPTMEDIABS]
Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.