Introduction to Tourism (5cr)

Objectives (course unit)

This course is introducing and defining tourism as a social phenomenon. Relevant concepts, definitions and theories within tourism are studied. Student understands tourism as a multifaceted and thus powerful phenomenon in modern societies and knows how to use this knowledge in tourism business planning and development.

After completing the course, the students will be able to:

Understand and use basic theories, such as motivational factors in tourism, pushing and pulling factors in tourism, tourist typology, life circle model of a tourist destination in tourism business.
Know the classic discussions and theories in tourism research, such as authenticity and host – guest -relationship in tourism.
Know what kind of statistical information of tourism there is available and how to read it.
Read academic tourism writings and articles.

Content (course unit)

What is tourism as a social phenomenon about?
What are the relevant concepts and theories in tourism?
What is relevant to know about tourism phenomenon to be able to understand, to plan and to develop tourism business?
Why is it important to know the characteristics of tourism phenomenon in tourism business?
How and where to find statistical information and academic tourism research outcomes from and how to use them?

Exam schedules

Exam date 8th October 2015
Resitting dates must be discussed with teacher.

Assessment methods and criteria

Student's implementation of understanding tourism as a social phenomenon. Student is able to apply relevant concepts and theories and is able to utilize characteristics of tourism in developing and planning business. Student is aware of the usefull statistics of tourism. Tasks and exam must be passed.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, team working, individual sudying, Tabula

Learning materials

Will be released during lectures (lectures, articles, videos, statistics)

Student workload

7x3h of lectures, team/individual working during the weeks, final exam at the end

Content scheduling

Course is 5 cr, total 135 hours of work.
Lectures and exam: 21h
Team working: 60h
Individual studying: 54h

Completion alternatives

Must be discussed with teacher beforehand.

Practical training and working life cooperation

Possible, but must be discussed with teacher. Guest lecturers from tourism companies.

International connections

Student group consists of international students.

Further information

Participating lectures and team working is relevant! course will give an important "kick off" to tourism field. Also, lectures are part of exam.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

No participation in team working. Student is not implementing skills required in study plan while taking the exam.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student is not understanding tourism phenomenon completely. She/he can partly apply concepts and theories and knows some of the characteristics of tourism. Student has difficulties in applying academic references and information and relevant statistics.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student mainly understands tourism phenomenon and is able to apply relevant concepts and theories and characteristics of tourism. Academic references and relevant statistical information are applied.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student clearly understands and is able to apply relevant concepts and theories and characteristics of tourism in creative way. There are various academic referencies and statistics applied and the importance and justification of them is also discussed.