STH 232 Tourism Impacts & Alternatives Spring 2015 Bryan 104 Tuesday & Thursday 9:30am-10:45am

Transcription

1 STH 232 Tourism Impacts & Alternatives Spring 2015 Bryan 104 Tuesday & Thursday 9:30am-10:45am Instructor: Dr. Zac Cole Facebook: Doc Cole Office: Bryan 471 Department Office: Bryan 441 Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 11-12:30 *Give me a heads up if you plan on stopping by via or make an appointment. Course Description: Introduce students to the positive and negative economic, environmental, and social impacts tourism has at the personal, local, regional and international scales. Students then learn how to manage these impacts through alternative tourism activities. Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course you should be able to: 1. Identify the impacts tourism has on individuals, communities, and the world 2. Explain methods to mitigate the potential negative impacts of tourism 3. Apply the destination life cycle model to the potential tourism impact in a community 4. Describe the major differences between alternative tourism and conventional mass tourism 5. Evaluate the differences and similarities in major alternative tourism subsectors 6. Discuss the potential problems and weaknesses associated with alternative tourism Text: An extremely important part of class is for you to be prepared for class. To do this I expect every student to have read all assigned readings before class. This will give you the background and basis for the class discussion and any activities that are associated with the topic. I will review and discuss some of what is in the text, but I will not directly lecture the book. Even if I do not cover it in class you are responsible for any information in the readings and could be tested on it. In addition by reading you will be able to ask questions about the topic that you may want more information or clarification about. I understand that reading takes time and I promise that, if I assign you something to read there is a purpose (besides keeping you busy) behind it. Required: Hall, C.M. & Lew, A.A. (2009). Understanding and managing tourism impacts: An integrated approach. New York: Routledge. Additional Readings will be posted to Canvas during the semester.

2 Attendance/ Participation Just like any organization you are expected to attend and participate in all of class. Attendance is a very important part of this class. In the case of circumstances preventing attendance contact the instructor before the class that will be missed. There will be many in-class activities (e.g. Discovery Exercises), case studies, presentations, etc. and students participation in them will be reflected in their final grade (via 150 Participation and Enthusiasm points). Classroom Expectations It is expected that all students arrive for class on time and come prepared. I strive to create a learning environment that is conducive to open discussion and debate, where everyone s voice can be heard and given adequate attention. As such, it is beneficial that as a group we seek to leave any preconceived notions, prejudices, and even life stresses at the door (at least for the 75 minutes of class). If at any time you have a question or have the need for assistance and/or information about absolutely anything concerning the course, see the Professor as soon as possible, preferably during office hours. Electronic Device Expectations It is expected that all students turn off cell phones and other electronic devices (except laptops/tablets*) during class. This particularly includes texting during class; if this becomes a problem you will be asked to leave class. Please reserve laptops use for note-taking in this course, as hard as it is to do so. Checking Facebook/Twitter/etc., reading the newspaper, and/or surfing the web in class is generally discouraged. However, there may be times during class activities where using those tools can be beneficial and even encouraged, so don t be surprised if you are asked to put them to use for a class activity. *It is at the discretion of the professor to request that laptops/tablets be closed/put away for any class period or portion of a class period. Marks Grades will be based on an accumulation of points over the course of the semester. The following is how your mark for each assignment will break out in your final grade. Assignment Total Points Possible Exams (2) 100 Interpretation Project 200 Website 150 Alternative Tourism Presentation 100 Discovery Exercises ~ Participation and Enthusiasm 150 Final Total: Grade Scale A % B % C % D % F less than 60% A % B % C % D % A % B % C % D % Assignments Directions for each assignment will be posted on Canvas, and will be thoroughly discussed in class. In addition, rubrics and other evaluative instruments will be posted on Canvas and discussed in class.

3 Assignment Format: A variety of assignment formats will be utilized in this course (e.g. websites, technical reports, etc.). Requirements for formatting will therefore be specific to each assignment and outlined in respective descriptions. If there are any questions regarding format requirements for submission students are encouraged to seek answers early in the process. All assignment submissions must have the assignment title in the subject line and on all attached files; and your name and/or group member names. Late Assignments (Excluding Exams) 25% off assignment score. Assignments must be submitted by the day and time they are due. Late assignments are accepted for one week after they are due, after which time none will be accepted and a zero received for that assignment. Exams are required to be finished on the date and time they are due. Exams To evaluate student understanding of the key concepts and terms discussed and used in class, two exams will be given. The exams will be on the material covered during the semester (class and assigned readings). Exam questions will include a variety of formats: true/false, multiple choice, short answer, short essay. Format will be further discussed in class. Interpretation Project The entire class will work together, in small groups and individually, to develop and implement an interpretative (educational) project. The project will be divided into three parts (1 - Interpretative display and activities; 2- Exhibit critique; 3- Evaluation of visitor feedback). The project will be discussed further in class. (SLO 2,3,5) Website Students will be placed in groups and assigned an international destination to study. Students will 1) identify the major impacts that tourism has on the destination, 2) explain methods to manage those impacts, and 3) identify/discuss alternative tourism activities that could take place in these areas. More information will be discussed in class related to this project. (SLO 1-6) Alternative Tourism Presentation Students will be assigned an alternative form of tourism to research. Focus centers on pertinent facts and examples about the activity and the pros and cons to this form of tourism. More information will be discussed in class related to this project. (SLO 4-6)

4 Discovery Exercises To stimulate class discussions and critical thinking, the Professor will provide discussion questions, case studies and/or exercises for either team or individual response. While a majority will be completed in class, some exercises will require out-of-class work and potentially group meetings to establish an appropriate position and/or response. Also, a few online Discovery Exercises will be completed individually and turned in exclusively via Canvas. Exercises are designed to entice students to read assigned readings, conduct further research, reflect, and integrate personal experiences and opinions. During team Discovery Exercises, each team will develop a single response and receive a team grade. All team members need to be listed in order to receive credit when turning in a team response. During team Discovery Exercises each student is expected to be a part of a team and fully participate in all team exercises. There are no provisions for making up Discovery Exercises, team or individual. All students should arrive by the start of class in order to receive credit for an inclass Discovery Exercise. NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE, PLEASE DO NOT ASK. For team Discovery Exercises that require out-of-class meeting/organization, it is each student s responsibility to find a group if they were absent for the class period when teams were determined. Academic Integrity and Disability Accomodations Each student is required to adhere to the Academic Integrity Policy on all major work submitted for the course. Refer to the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin or go to: Students with documented disabilities requiring accommodation need to notify the instructor at the beginning of the semester after first working with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (

5 TOPICAL OUTLINE/CALENDAR: This outline is tentative and merely provides a general framework regarding the progression of topics. As such, readings and/or assignment dates may change throughout the semester. Readings noted here are to be completed prior to the week they are assigned, any changes and supplemental text will be announced in class. Week Topic Description Project/Exam Readings 1 Course outline Why, what, how? Ch 1 2 Key concepts Defining Impacts Ch 2 3 Exploring Impacts Ch 3 4 Impacts: Social, Economic, Environmental online 5 Impacts: Social, Economic, Environmental Ch 4 6 Impacts: Social, Economic, Environmental Website A Ch 5 7 Alternative Tourism online 8 Interpretation & Exam Exam 1 9 Spring Break 10 Interpretation 11 Planning and Managing Tourism Impacts Website B Ch 6 12 Planning and Managing Tourism Impacts online 13 Sustainability and the Future of Tourism 14 Alternative Tourism 15 Alternative Tourism Interpretation Project Alternative Tourism Presentation Website C 16 Exam Exam 2 Ch 7 online online