Major Event and Festival Impacts

Module Handbook

Major Event and Festival Impacts

Module Leader: Jenny Flinn

Department of Business Management

2012/13

Semester B

Level 4

Credit Points 20

Pre requisites: None

Introduction

This module considers the multitude of impacts, positive and negative, that accompany the hosting of major events and festivals. Major events and festivals include sports events, cultural celebrations and corporate events. Students will be exposed to those impacts proposed by event owners, governments (local, national and transnational), communities and corporations and will reflect upon the appropriateness of the evaluation techniques that are employed to measure the professed benefits. The module will utilise case studies of major events to enhance the teaching and learning experience.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students should be able to:

1)Review critically the historical development of major events and festivals, identifying their defining characteristics.

2)Review critically the position of major events and festivals within a global leisure environment.

3)Discuss critically the importance of legacy in legitimating investment in major events and festivals.

4)Evaluate critically three impacts of a selected major event or festival.

Teaching and Learning Strategy

This module will be delivered using a weblog (blog) as the principal support for learning. Recorded lectures will be available weekly, supported by an interactive, case study driven seminar programme. The module is underpinned by research on major events and festival impacts by the module team.

Notional Student Hours

Lectures12

Seminars24

Assessment18

Directed study72

Independent Learning74

Total Hours200

Transferable Skills

The module aims to provide students with the following transferable skills:

• Specialist knowledge
• Critical analysis
• Written and spoken communication
• Self discipline
• Independence
• Knowledge of international affairs
• Ability to reflect
• Ability to prioritise tasks
• Interpersonal skills

Attendance Policy

This module contains an attendance policy which requires students to attend 75% of timetabled seminars. If seminar attendance dips below 75% at the end of the 12 weeks students will not be permitted to submit final coursework at the first diet, unless clear medical evidence is provided.

Staff Information

Jenny FlinnJohn HarrisNick Wise

W704bW719W704

@gcu.ac.uk

Lecture Programme

Week / Lecture / Readings / Seminar Task
One / Locating Major Events and Festivals: from hallmark to mega events / See blog / Introduction to the module
Two / Major Events and Festivals as Spectacle / See blog / Students should work in groups of 2 or 3 to find a clip which represents spectacle in events and be prepared to talk through this with the class in relation to lecture material already covered
Three / Major Events and Festivals and Identity / See blog / FIFA World Cup
Four / Economic Impacts / See blog / Ryder Cup
Five / Political Impacts / See blog / G8 Summit
Six / Social and Cultural Impacts / See blog / New Orleans Mardi Gras
Seven / Sustainability and Major Events / See blog / The Burning Man
Eight / Media Impacts / See blog / Tour de France
Nine / Assessed Presentations
Ten / Assessed Presentations
Eleven / Sporting Mega Events and Cultural Events / See blog / The Olympic Games
Rio Carnival
Twelve / Revision Session

Assignments

Assignment One: poster presentation (50%)

The first assignment will take place in week nine and ten of the semester and will comprise of an individual poster presentation. This assignment is designed to overcome the following learning outcomes:

1)Review critically the historical development of major events and festivals, identifying their defining characteristics.

2)Review critically the position of major events and festivals within a global leisure environment.

Students are asked to create a poster which illustrates and highlights the importance of their specified event in relation to the current role of events within society, this should refer specifically to notions of spectacle and identity. The impact of the event from a local, national and global perspective should be highlighted. Students will be given 5 minutes to present their poster, this will be followed by a 10 minute defence of their poster where they will be questioned in relation to its content and relevant theory.

Students should choose from the following events or may propose their own idea to their seminar tutor:

• Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts
• Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
• Singapore Grand Prix
• The Championships Wimbledon
• The X Games (summer or winter)

The marking criteria for this assignment can be found below.

Assignment Two: event impact case study (50%)

The second assignment will take the form of an event impact case study to be submitted in week thirteen of the semester. This assignment is designed to overcome the following learning outcomes:

1)Discuss critically the importance of legacy in legitimating investment in major events and festivals.

2)Evaluate critically three impacts of a selected major event or festival.

The case study should discuss the rationale behind the decision to conceive/host the event and critique whether the proposed legacy was delivered in relation to the actual impact of the event from three perspectives (e.g. economic, social, media, political, etc). Students may select their own event for the purposes of this assignment but will be asked to develop a brief proposal to be discussed with their seminar tutor in week ten of the semester.

The case study proposal should include:

• Event title
• Rationale for the selection of this event
• The three impacts to be discussed
• Main points of argument
• Key practical and theoretical sources

This assignment should be submitted via email to and in hard copy to the Programmes Office (W108) by 12 noon on Friday 19th April 2013.

The marking criteria for this assignment can be found below.

Major Event and Festival Impacts

Assessment Feedback Form

Assessment Details:

Student
Assessment / Poster Presentation
Date / Week 9 / 10
Assessor / Jenny Flinn / John Harris / Nick Wise

Assessment Marks:

Criteria / % possible / % Actual
Presentation and visual representation / 20
Depth & breadth of theoretical understanding, linkage between theory and practice / 10
Use of examples and critical reflection / 20
Standard of analytical and evaluative discussion / 20
Ability to respond to questioning and defend ideas / 20
Academic Referencing / 10
OVERALL MARK / 100

General Comments:

Relevance / Little or no relevance to the assignment. / Response lacks relevance to the assignment / Attempts have been made to respond but this is limited in its scope / Response almost fully adheres to the assignment but loses focus in places / Response adheres to elements of the assignment but some key areas could be developed. / Response adheres fully to all elements of the assignment
Sequencing / Very poorly structured, missing key components. / Under developed and poorly structured response / Attempts have been made to structure response but fails to fully support it / Structure is satisfactory although further development may have enhanced / Well structured and well written with only minor faults. / Well written, providing a well developed and structured argument
Knowledge and Understanding
Theory / Little or no theoretical material used. / Little understanding shown / Some understanding but without clear links to purpose of response / Sound discussion of relevant theory (some small mistakes evident) with some linkage to purpose of response / Solid discussion of relevant theory and consistent links to purpose of response / Full and precise understanding of theory demonstrated with sufficient depth to underpin response
Practical Application / No attempt to link theory to practical application. / Very limited attempt to integrate theory with practical application / Limited attempt to integrate theory with practice / Makes linkage between theory and practice using examples where required but could be further developed / Good links between theory and practice. Minor omissions or poor choice of example in places possible. / Demonstrates clear links between theory and practice using relevant examples where appropriate
Use of Evidence
Range of Materials Used / Little or no appropriate supporting material used. / Limited range of materials used. / Attempts have been made to expand on course materials but this is limited / Reasonable attempts have been made to use materials other than those required of the module although in places lack relevance to purpose of the response / Uses a good range of materials including non-course readings, links well to purpose of response. / Wide range and scope of materials used which are relevant to the point being made
Originality / Reflection / Stated positions unsupported or no clear position developed. / Little evidence to support stated position / Stated position based on evidence / States and defend position using evidence in places / States and defends position throughout using appropriate evidence. / Imaginative and demonstrating originality
Analysis and Evaluation
Analysis / Purely descriptive with no real attempt to make analytical points. / Lacks analysis, overly descriptive / Some attempts made to make analytical points although this is limited / Reasonable level of analysis demonstrated / Good level of analysis demonstrated. / High level of analysis made with analytical points being highly relevant to the response
Limitations / No consideration. / Some consideration but not expressed well. / Some identified / Some identified with possible solutions presented / Limitations considered and discussed with appropriate solutions offered. / Clear understanding demonstrated
Critical Reflection / No reflection evident on points being made. / Little attempt made to reflect upon points being made / Some attempts made to reflect upon position although this is limited / Reasonable level of critical reflection demonstrated / Good level of critical reflection demonstrated / High level of critical reflection demonstrated, this has been well thought out and is highly relevant to the response

Major Event and Festival Impacts

Assessment Feedback Form

Assessment Details:

Student
Assessment / Event Impact Case Study
Date / Week 14
Assessor / Jenny Flinn / John Harris / Nick Wise

Assessment Marks:

Criteria / % possible / % Actual
Presentation and visual representation / 10
Direction & coverage, structure and sequencing / 15
Depth & breadth of theoretical understanding, linkage between theory and practice / 20
Use of examples and critical reflection / 20
Standard of analytical and evaluative discussion / 20
Clear & coherent conclusions and recommendations, ability to deal with questioning / 15
OVERALL MARK / 100

General Comments:

Relevance / Little or no relevance to the assignment. / Response lacks relevance to the assignment / Attempts have been made to respond but this is limited in its scope / Response almost fully adheres to the assignment but loses focus in places / Response adheres to elements of the assignment but some key areas could be developed. / Response adheres fully to all elements of the assignment
Sequencing / Very poorly structured, missing key components. / Under developed and poorly structured response / Attempts have been made to structure response but fails to fully support it / Structure is satisfactory although further development may have enhanced / Well structured and well written with only minor faults. / Well written, providing a well developed and structured argument
Knowledge and Understanding
Theory / Little or no theoretical material used. / Little understanding shown / Some understanding but without clear links to purpose of response / Sound discussion of relevant theory (some small mistakes evident) with some linkage to purpose of response / Solid discussion of relevant theory and consistent links to purpose of response / Full and precise understanding of theory demonstrated with sufficient depth to underpin response
Practical Application / No attempt to link theory to practical application. / Very limited attempt to integrate theory with practical application / Limited attempt to integrate theory with practice / Makes linkage between theory and practice using examples where required but could be further developed / Good links between theory and practice. Minor omissions or poor choice of example in places possible. / Demonstrates clear links between theory and practice using relevant examples where appropriate
Use of Evidence
Range of Materials Used / Little or no appropriate supporting material used. / Limited range of materials used. / Attempts have been made to expand on course materials but this is limited / Reasonable attempts have been made to use materials other than those required of the module although in places lack relevance to purpose of the response / Uses a good range of materials including non-course readings, links well to purpose of response. / Wide range and scope of materials used which are relevant to the point being made
Originality / Reflection / Stated positions unsupported or no clear position developed. / Little evidence to support stated position / Stated position based on evidence / States and defend position using evidence in places / States and defends position throughout using appropriate evidence. / Imaginative and demonstrating originality
Analysis and Evaluation
Analysis / Purely descriptive with no real attempt to make analytical points. / Lacks analysis, overly descriptive / Some attempts made to make analytical points although this is limited / Reasonable level of analysis demonstrated / Good level of analysis demonstrated. / High level of analysis made with analytical points being highly relevant to the response
Limitations / No consideration. / Some consideration but not expressed well. / Some identified / Some identified with possible solutions presented / Limitations considered and discussed with appropriate solutions offered. / Clear understanding demonstrated
Critical Reflection / No reflection evident on points being made. / Little attempt made to reflect upon points being made / Some attempts made to reflect upon position although this is limited / Reasonable level of critical reflection demonstrated / Good level of critical reflection demonstrated / High level of critical reflection demonstrated, this has been well thought out and is highly relevant to the response
Conclusions
Conclusion / No conclusions / Brief conclusion, limited in scope. / Summarises main points made / Attempts to draw valid conclusions from response and offers level of critique / Valid conclusions drawn and a good critique offered in response to assignment. / Draws valid conclusions from throughout response and demonstrates full critique of the points made

Essential Reading

Ali-Knight, J., Robertson, M., Fyall, A., and Larkin, A. (2008).International Perspectives of Festivals and Events: Paradigms of Analysis, Oxford, Elsevier

Billings, A (2008) Olympic Media: Inside the biggest show on television, London, Routledge

Bowdin, G; McDonnell, I, Allen, J and O'Toole, W (2001) Events Management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann

Getz, D. (2007). Event Studies: Theory, Research and Policy for Planned Events. Oxford, Elsevier

Gilmore, D (1998) Carnival and Culture: sex, symbol and status in Spain. New Haven and London: Yale University Press

Girginov, V et al (2005) The Olympic Games Explained, Routledge

Gold, J.R. & Gold M.M. (2005) Cities of Culture: Staging International Festivals and the Urban Agenda 1851-2000

Goldblatt, J. (2004). Special Events: Events Leadership for a New World. New York, Wiley

Hall, C.M. (1992) Hallmark Tourist Events: Impacts, Management and Planning. London, Belhaven

Kellner, D (2003) Media Spectacle. London: Routledge

Musgrave, J. and Raj, R. (eds.) (2009) Sustainable Events Management, Walingford, CABI

Preuss, H (ed) (2004) The Economics of Staging the Olympics: A comparison of the Games, 1972-2008, Edward Elgar Publishing

Roche, M (2000) Mega-events and Modernity Olympics and Expos in the growth of Global Culture. London: Routledge

Yeoman I, et al (Eds) (2004) Festival and Events Management: an international arts and culture perspective. London: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann

Journals:

Leisure Studies

Event Management

International Journal of Event Management Research

Managing Leisure