GALEN UNIVERSITY
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Number: TOUR 250
Course Title: Adventure and Ecotourism
Credits: 3
Semester and Year: Spring 2006
Time: Tue-Thurs 10:30-12:00
Location: CL2
Instructor: Colin A. Young, Ph.D.
Office hours: Weds 2:00-4:00 pm or by appointment
Office Location: Main Building
Office Phone: 501-824-3226
Email address:
Course Description:
As one of the largest and fastest-growing industry, the potential impacts of tourism are considerable. The focus of this course is ecotourism and adventure tourism, two types of tourism that make up a small put rapidly growing share of the world’s largest service industry. The readings will introduce you to the major themes and concerns surrounding ecotourism and “alternative” tourism in general and to the specific issues evolving in the context of Belize. Additionally, students will explore and consider both types of tourism from a sustainable development standpoint. The principles, practices, and policies for sustainability of both types of ecotourism will be examined.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course, students will (i) gain a solid understanding of the ecotourism and adventure tourism industry, (ii) become familiar with the particular requirements of both types of tourism, (iii) explore the current and potential impacts of both types of tourism on biodiversity, (iv) explore the degree of social fairness and stakeholder involvement and control, and (v) investigate the degree of sustainability of ecotourism and adventure tourism and (vii) become aware of the roles of both types of tourism in the wider tourism industry.
Texts:
Two texts in addition to supplemental readings from texts and peer-reviewed journals and electronic sources will be used in the course. All supplemental readings will be available in the library.
Swarbrooke, John, Colin Beard, Suzanne Leckie, Gill Pomfret. Adventure Tourism: The
New Frontier. Butterworth-Heinemann. Oxford, UK.
Fennell. David. 2003. Ecotourism: An Introduction. Routledge; 2 edition
Other Course Materials:
Wood, Epler Megan. 2002. Ecotourism: Principles, Practice and Policies for
Sustainability. United Nations Environment Programme.
International Ecotourism Society web page @ http://www.ecotourism.org
Methods of Evaluation:
Grades will be computed as follows:
1. Class Attendance and Participation ………………………..10%
2. 2 written exams …………………………………………….30%
3. 2 quizzes …………………………………………………...5%
4. Two oral presentations …………………………………….10%
5. Two written assignments …………………………………..5%
6. Research paper …………………………………………….15%
7. Final exam ………………………………………………...25%
Quizzes:
Two unannounced quizzes will be given during the semester. Quizzes will be based on the readings and lectures. No make up quizzes will be given.
Oral Presentations:
Each student will be expected to give two PowerPoint presentations on two aspects of tourism that are of interest to them. Students are expected to select a topic of interest, conduct both library and electronic research and present their finds to the class. During the second presentation students will be expected to discuss their research paper (e.g., topic, methodology, results, and conclusions) in a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation to the class and members of the University community.
Research Paper:
Each student will complete a 10-15 page double-spaced research paper that examines in detail a topic directly related to the ecotourism and adventure tourism. Each student must select a topic for their research paper by March 3rd and submit to the lecturer for approval. Each paper should be properly researched using secondary data sources (library, electronic etc.,) and be complete with proper citations and references. Research papers are due on April 21, the last day of classes.
Class Trips:
Participation in class trips is mandatory. All students are expected to attend. The field trips will serve to reinforce the concepts learned during the course. Students will be asked to pay a small fee, to be determined, to participate in the class trip.
Course Policies
1. Attendance and Punctuality: Students are expected to attend all classes
and be on time. Excused or unexcused absence for more than 15% of the total classes will result in F for the course.
2. All assignments are expected on their due dates. Five points will be
deducted per day (not per class) for late assignments.
3. Exam policy: Make up exams/quizzes will not be given. You may be allowed to take an exam/quiz early if you know in advance that you will be out of town. In the event that you miss a scheduled exam without notification and approval, a grade of zero will be entered.
4. There are no plans to curve grades in this course. Galen’s standard scale for grading will be used: A = 93-100; A- = 90-92; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B-, 80-82; range is C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 63-66; D- = 60-62; F = 0-69.
Intellectual Integrity
Intellectual Integrity is one of the ideals for which Galen University stands. Students are expected to adhere to high standards of intellectual integrity and honesty. Cheating and plagiarism are contrary to the ideals of Galen University. Cheating is defined as dishonesty of any kind in connection with assignments and examinations. It applies to both giving and receiving unauthorized help. Plagiarism is defined as presenting the work of someone else as one’s own. Cheating and plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Using any unauthorized aids on an exam or test
· Representing someone else’s work as your own
· Falsifying documents or grades
· Submitting someone else’s work as your own
· Submitting the same essay or report in more than one course (without permission)
· Looking at someone else’s answers during an examination or test
· Impersonating another person at an examination or test or having someone impersonate you
· Making up sources or facts for an essay or report
Cheating and plagiarism will be treated as a disciplinary offence in addition to failure in that particular assignment or examination. (Taken from Galen University’s Academic Policies).
Students are encouraged you to work with and collaborate with one another; however, any written work you hand in must be your own.
Lecture Schedule and Reading Assignments*
Date / Topic / Assigned reading01/10/06 / The Nature of Tourism / Fennell Ch. 1
01/12/06 / Ecotourism and ecotourists / Fennel Ch. 2
01/17/06 / Lecture by Dr. Robert Horwich on Ecotourism in Belize
01/19/06 / Natural Resources, conservation, and protected areas / Fennel Ch. 3
01/24/06 / Social and ecological impacts of tourism / Fennel Ch. 4
01/26/06 / The economics, marketing, and management of ecotourism / Fennel Ch. 5
01/31/06 / From policy to professionalism / Fennel Ch. 6
02/02/06 / Ecotourism programme planning / Fennel Ch. 7
02/07/06 / Exam #1
02/09/06 / Ecotourism development: international, community, and site perspectives / Fennel Ch. 8
02/14/06 / Ecotourism in Belize / Various
02/16/06 / Role of ethics in tourism / Fennel Ch. 9 and 10
02/21/06 / Field Trip #1 (Ecotourism destination)
02/23/06 / Introduction to Adventure Tourism / Swarbroooke et al. Ch. 1
02/28/06 / Historical Themes in adventure tourism / Swarbroooke et al. Ch. 2
03/02/06 / The adventure Tourist / Swarbroooke et al. Ch. 3
03/07/06 / Midterm
03/09/06 / Spring Break (No Classes)
03/14/06 / The adventure Tourism Market / Swarbroooke et al. Ch. 4
03/16/06 / Adventure Tourism destinations in Belize / Various
03/21/06 / Field Trip # 2 (Adventure Tourism destination)
03/23/06 / Destinations and Venues / Swarbroooke et al. Ch. 5
03/28/06 / Adventure Tourism Industry / Swartbrooke et al. Ch. 6
03/30/06 / Oral Presentation #1 Case Studies / Swartbrooke et al. Ch. 13
04/04/06 / Management of adventure tourism / Swartbrooke et al. Ch. 7 and 8
04/06/06 / Management of adventure tourism cont. / Swarbroooke et al.Ch. 8 & 9
04/11/06 / Wildlife Tourism / Swarbroooke et al. Ch. 10
04/13/06 / Artificial environment adventure / Swarbroooke et al. Ch. 11
04/18/06 / Adventure tourism in the future / Swarbroooke et al.
04/20/06 / Research Paper Oral Presentations
04/21/06 / Research Paper Oral Presentation cont
04/22/06 / Research Paper Due
Disclaimer:
Lecture schedule and reading assignments are subject to change.
5 – TOUR-250 Syllabus