Course Syllabus

Please note, the final version of the syllabus will be distributed in class after all travel and class details have been finalized in November.

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

   COURSE OUTLINE

INSTRUCTOR'S NAME:     Dr. Doug Kennedy

COURSE TITLE:          Maui to Moguls: Adventure Travel’s Impact on Culture and the Environment    

COURSE NUMBER;        REC 237  (3 Credits)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:     This course will look at the impact that adventure travel has on culture and our environment. To address this impact the class will travel to two diverse locations: a ski area and the island of Maui. These trips will illustrate how activities as diverse as skiing, snowboarding, snorkeling, hiking, windsurfing, and biking have an effect upon local culture, the economy, and preservation of the environment. Classroom work will prepare the group for their experiences and on-site instruction will bring the subject to life.

 TEXT:                        A package of supplemental readings will be provided.

 COMPETENCIES:    

1. Understanding of the historical origins of adventure travel, including modes of transportation, lodging, commercial providers, and group travel.

2. Identification of the cultural benefits from a travel experience and an understanding of the relationship between culture and the environment. 

3. Identification of the specific agencies and governmental entities which promote, regulate, and control adventure travel for the two sites visited.

4. Understanding of the employment and economic factors related to adventure travel and tourism at the local level for each site.

5. Identification of services and facilities which encourage and support travel and tourism, and how they meet visitor expectations.

6. Identification of challenges inherent in group travel.

7. Understanding of current eco-tourism policy development.  

8.  Ability to identify and discuss the historical factors important to tourism and development on Maui.

9.  Ability to logically assess the current impact of Maui's tourism industry on its culture and environment, and be able to make logical inferences for its future.

MATERIALS USED:     Field Trips, Written Exercises,

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:     Class Discussion, Student Presentations,  Lecture, Field Trips, Individual Reflection         

OUTLINE OF TOPICS:

Class One:   Introduction

Class Two:   Travel Expectations and the Realities of Satisfaction

Class Three:  Airline Travel Realities

Class Four:    Eco-Tourism and Government Regulation

Class Five:     Trip Development/Itinerary Planning Expectation Paper #1 Due

Class Six:       Accommodation and Cultural Load Factors

Class Seven:   The psychology of travel and satisfaction

Classes Eight and Nine:  On-Site Visit: Ski Area: Measuring Environmental and cultural impacts Expectation #2 Due

Class Ten:    Money versus jobs, what price the tradeoff?  Reality paper #1 Due

Classes 11-15   On-Site Visit: Maui, Daily site-specific presentations including Group Travel,  Diverse destinations and shared troubles, Eco-Tourism Evaluation Follow-up evaluation Reality Paper #2 Due

METHODS OF EVALUATING INSTRUCTOR'S EFFECTIVENESS:     Standard college evaluation form.  In addition, so that the class meets student needs, students will have the opportunity to complete a midterm evaluation and may suggest any changes for the second-half of the semester.

METHODS OF EVALUATING STUDENT PERFORMANCE:    

Exam.............................................25%

Expectation and Reality paper #1...15%

Expectation and reality paper #2.....15%              

On-site presentation........................20%

Participation....................................25% 

LETTER GRADE EQUIVALENTS:

A = 90-100%  A- = 87-89%  B+ = 84-86%  B = 80-83%  B- = 77-79%

C+ = 74-76%  C = 70-73%  C- = 67-69%  D+ = 64-66%  D = 60-63%

D- = 57-59%  F+ = 54-56%  F = 53 and below

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