ECOTOUR 3500 - Advanced Applications in Ecotourism III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

In this course students will develop an advanced understanding of the theory, practice and applications of scientific ecotourism. Students will apply this understanding to critical appraisal of `real world? examples through research, critical thinking and an industry placement with an appropriate ecotourism operation. During the placement students will undertake individual project work and develop communication and industry relevant skills. There will be a focus on applied ecotourism principles and practice during the course, with lectures and practicals covering case studies, communication activities and project work.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ECOTOUR 3500
    Course Advanced Applications in Ecotourism III
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week plus 20 days of industry placement
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites ECOTOUR 2500
    Course Description In this course students will develop an advanced understanding of the theory, practice and applications of scientific ecotourism. Students will apply this understanding to critical appraisal of `real world? examples through research, critical thinking and an industry placement with an appropriate ecotourism operation. During the placement students will undertake individual project work and develop communication and industry relevant skills. There will be a focus on applied ecotourism principles and practice during the course, with lectures and practicals covering case studies, communication activities and project work.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Felicity Coutts

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Develop advanced skills in critical thinking and research through analysis of theoretical and ‘real world’ applications of scientific ecotourism practice.
    2 Apply knowledge of theory and practice of scientific ecotourism through industry placement and individual project work.
    3 Critically appraise sustainable ecotourism practice and effective science communication through first-hand experience at an ecotourism site.
    4 Gain an advanced understanding of scientific ecotourism principles, theory and practice.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    2,4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3,2
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    2,3
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1,2,3
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,3,
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course consists of:
    •    5 x 2  hour lectures in Weeks 1-5
    •    10 x 3 hour practical sessions
    •    20 x day industry placement with an approved ecotourism provider
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance at practicals is compulsory. This will comprise ten sessions of 3 hours each. Participation in an industry placement is compulsory as this will comprise 60% of the assessment for the course.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Percentage of total
    assessment for grading purposes

    Hurdle Yes or No Course learning outcomes
    being assessed / achieved

    (Should be no more than 3)
    Approximate timing of
    assessment

    (week of teaching period)
    Practical reports Summative

    20%

    No 1,2,4 Weeks 2-11
    Essay Formative and summative 20% Yes 1,4 Week 4
    Major report Formative and summative 45% No 2,3,4 Week 10
    E-Quizzes Formative 10% No 1,4 Weeks 2-11
    Industry placement supervisor feedback Summative 5% No 2,3 Week 10
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at practicals and the industry placement is compulsory.The learning outcomes for this course are substantially dependent onthis hands-on experience and practice.  Therefore, missing any practicals or industry placement session in a semester without an allowed absence will result in a grade of FAIL being recorded for the course. Students are able to apply for an allowed absence to the Course Coordinator.

    Assessment Item Requirement
    for Hurdle
    Additional Assessment Details of Additional Assessment
    Essay 50% Yes Resubmit a re-written essay
    Practical work is compulsory Satisfactory completion of all practicals Yes Student can make up for practical if missed with valid reason ie.
    medical
    Major report – industry placement is compulsory Satisfactory completion No N/A
    Assessment Detail
    Practical reports (20%)
    Students will complete a practical exercise for each of ten practical sessions. These will be worth 20% of the grade for the course. The practicals are compulsory and will relate to the material presented in the lecture for that week.

    Essay (20%)
    Students will complete a 2,500 word essay, which will be their own individual research on a topic related to the area of science-based ecotourism for which they will undergo their placement. This essay will provide the theoretical background for their placement.

    Major report (45%)
    Students will present a report on their industry placement. This will include the results of a project they will undertake while on placement, a case study of the location where they worked and a critical analysis of the ecotourism operation they worked at. The report will be 5,000 words and submitted 3 weeks after completion of the placement.

    Industry placement supervisor feedback (5%)
    Students will be given feedback from the supervisor of their industry placement. This will be from a representative of the industry partner responsible for the placement site. This will be due within 2 weeks after completion of their placement.
    Submission
    Submission of Assigned Work:  Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Instructions on how to submit
    your work and coversheets will be provide on MyUni.

    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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