Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Social Enterprise & Innovation for Fashion

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Dr Jon Hewitt

Course Coordinator Phone: Email for appointment

Course Coordinator Email: Jon.hewitt@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: B511.01.01

Course Coordinator Availability: Email for appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Recommended Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed MANU2559 Introduction to Fashion Sustainability and OMGT2332 Fashion Sustainability Compliance before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator for further information.


Course Description

In this course, you will explore how social enterprises operate within the fashion industry by blending business practices with advocacy to achieve social and environmental impact.

You will also examine fashion as a form of activism, exploring how brands leverage ethical practices, transparency, sustainability and consumer engagement through storytelling to raise awareness, challenge systems, and drive meaningful change within the industry.

This is a designated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course for the BP326P26 Bachelor of Fashion Sustainability. This course includes a work integrated learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/ or community is integral to your experience.

This course includes Industry Partnered Learning (IPL), Career Development Learning (CDL) and Industry Embedded Activities. The course incorporates engagement with industry professionals and organizations. Through practical, industry-embedded activities, you’ll deepen your understanding of the intersection of sustainability and fashion while building networks to support your professional journey.

Students should complete the following WIL ready cred before undertaking WIL activity in this course: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/careers-opportunities/internships-work-experience-wil/wil-activity


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the following BP326P26 Bachelor of Fashion Sustainability program learning outcomes:

PLO 2: Critically analyse, synthesise and apply skills and knowledge for sustainability and innovation in both local and global fashion contexts.

PLO 5: Collaborate with others in a range of roles and contexts, demonstrating cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and responsible practice.

If you are taking this course as an option course or as part of a minor, this course will complement the learning outcomes you are developing in your program.


Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

CLO 1: Compare and contrast the differences between fashion social enterprises and traditional fashion businesses.

CLO 2: Discuss and analyse strategies used by fashion social enterprises to promote sustainability, ethics, and transparency.

CLO 3: Plan and apply strategies that leverage fashion as a platform for change, addressing social or environmental issues.


Overview of Learning Activities

Your learning in this course will take place through a range of experiences, including lectures, case studies, interactive in-class activities, independent study, and opportunities for formative feedback. Active and constructive participation in class discussions and activities is essential. You will also be expected to engage with weekly readings and thoughtfully plan and prepare for assessment tasks to deepen your understanding of the material.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.

Weekly learning resources are set up and available in Canvas.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

There are services and resources available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page, https://rmit.libguides.com/fashion-textiles

on the RMIT University website and the RMIT student website.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes.

Assessment tasks are directly aligned with each Course Learning Outcome. They are as follows:

Assessment 1: Report on Social Enterprises - 20% CLO1 and CLO2

Assessment 2: Ethical Fashion Campaign - Presentation, 30% CLO2 and CLO3

Assessment 3: Toolkit for Startup Fashion Social Enterprises - (Group) 50% CLO 1, CLO 2 and CLO3

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.