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RCPT 301

RCPT 301: Introduction to Tourism (GE)

Credit Hours: (3)

Instructional Method Three hours lecture

Note(s): General Education and Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.

 

The course provides an overview of the tourism industry (e. g. tourist attractions, tourism destinations, travel agencies, hotels), key stakeholders (e. g. visitors, hosts, Destination Management Organizations (DMOs)), and roles for each within the system. The course focuses on conceptual foundations, key terms, and basic principles of tourism. It discusses the most recent tourism trends, provides a brief history of tourism presents career opportunities, and explains tourism from a global, intercultural perspective. The course involves occasional field trips and community-based meetups with local tourism stakeholders.


Detailed Description of Course

The course is designed to introduce students to a systematic review overview of the tourism segment. The course exposes students to a variety of areas and theories of tourism. Emphasis is placed on understanding tourism as a system and its social, environmental, and economic impact and the most recent tourism trends. The lectures discuss various tourism perspectives, provide a brief history of tourism, and explain tourism from a global, intercultural perspective. Various areas of the tourism system (e. g. transportation, hospitality, tourist attractions) are covered, as well as, motivations for travel, cultural influences, and other impacts.

Module 1:

Basic terms of tourism, History of Tourism, International Tourism, Demand for Tourism and Barriers to Travel, Cross-Cultural Issues in Tourism

Module 2:

Tourism Destination and Policy, Tourist Motivations, Behavior and Segments, Consumer Behavior and Trends in Tourism, Sociology of Tourism

Module 3:

Tourism Stakeholders, Tourist Attractions, Tourism Planning and Development

Module 4:

Cultural, Environmental, and Economic Impacts of Tourism

Module 5:

The Hospitality Sector, Tour Operators and Travel Agents, Transportation

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Course instruction strategies may include, but not limited to,: lectures, readings, group discussions, written assignments, hosts field trips, guest lectures, and student presentations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate an informed understanding of the evolution, organization, complexity, and scope of tourism as a system;
  • identify key concepts and terms associated with tourism;
  • describe the key players in any tourism industry, and understand differing motivations for each;
  • understand the external and internal factors that influence individuals' travel behavior;
  • analyze the economic, cultural and environmental impacts of tourism on both the host and guest communities;
  • discuss the role of tourism as a vehicle for understanding different cultures and values of places.;
  • create a travel plan and itinerary for a complex trip.

Assessment Measures
May include but is not limited to quizzes, essays, written assignments and associated rubrics, exams, creative in-class exercises, group projects, and student-led presentations.

Other Course Information
Bibliography: Goeldner, C. J. R. and Ritchie, B. (2012). Tourism: Principles, Practices, Philosophies, 12th edition. New York: John Wiley& Sons, Inc.

 

Review and Approval

February 27, 2017

June, 2023

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