Cross-Cultural Perspectives Of Tourism Fully Online Class.
Education wasn’t what he wanted to perform on the world, me included.
He was after transformation.
-Tracy Kidder, Mountains Beyond Mountains
RTM 404, Summer 2014
Professor
Larry Beck, Ph.D.
Why This Course is Important
The subject matter in this course is important because travel and tourism is the number one industry in the world. It is essential to be aware of its importance globally and the implications concerning environmental, economic, and social issues (often referred to as the “triple bottom line”).
There is also much to learn in this course that applies to your own lives. Travel offers us adventure, education, and enjoyment. As we learn about other cultures we also learn more about ourselves; and we learn tolerance. We learn to extend compassion to help others less fortunate than we are. These are primary messages in our reading, Mountains Beyond Mountains.
On a broad scale, tourism offers hope for global peace as we learn more about the beauty and value of diverse cultures and learn to appreciate them through first hand experience. Tourism has also been promoted as a conservation tool as travelers gain global environmental awareness. Tourism offers hope for global stewardship. What larger issues are there than world peace and environmental sustainability? Tourism can contribute to both of these.
So this subject is relevant as the number one industry in the world, in our own personal lives, and in a larger context concerning global peace and environmental stewardship.
SDSU General Catalog: Concepts, definitions, and measures of essential cultural components of tourism. Integrated view of interrelated socio-cultural tourism issues with an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, conscientious students will be able to:
1. Synthesize the major theories and concepts related to cross-cultural behavior in tourism.
2. Explain major differences between various cultures and their influence on tourist and host social behavior. (Codes of cultural behavior and social etiquette.)
3. Consider how our actions can contribute to world peace and stewardship through our travel choices.
4. Determine how cultural differences influence tourist perceptions and satisfaction.
5. Develop greater appreciation and tolerance for various cultural frames of reference.
6. Consider increased empathy for those from less fortunate cultural backgrounds.
7. Generate interest in living and traveling in ways that promote cultural understanding and sustainability.
Required Reading
Kidder, T. (2004). Mountains Beyond Mountains. New York: Penguin.
Course Overview
The course is designed based on state-of-the-art instructional theory that has you actively involved in your learning. The course structure is intended to be convenient, meaningful, relevant, and enjoyable. But for this to be the most powerful learning experience possible you must be engaged. We will be involved in a wide range of activities that require a high level of commitment to the course. If this level of investment is not appealing, then I encourage you to pursue other courses that will better suit your needs.
Course Requirements
Online Exams (100+40) 140
Quizzes (6) 60
Portfolio Project 100
Total 300
Grading (Standard Percentage Grading: 90-100 = A range, etc.)
276-300=A, 270-275=A-, 264-269=B+, 246-263=B, 240-245=B-, 234-239=C+,
216-233=C, 210-215=C-, 204-209=D+, 180-203=D, <180=F, >210=CR.
Online Exams
The exams will consist of multiple choice questions. The first exam is worth 100 points and the second exam is worth 40 points. The exams cover all the course materials presented in class. You may use your notes and study guides for the exams but, of course, must complete the exams individually.
There is a definite correlation between effort and achievement on exams. Furthermore, there is a correlation between preparation for the exams and your success on them. For additional instructions see the course menu item (“Exams”).
Only under extreme circumstances will make-up exams be allowed. Contact the professor before the test for any special arrangements. Otherwise, you forfeit half your total points for that particular test. Exam dates are provided on the course calendar.
Reading Study Guides
This policy is designed to help keep you on track with the reading assignments and to provide you full credit for completing the reading. A study guide will be posted for the book with the understanding that you must complete all the reading on your own (not just look up the answers or copy them from someone else). The book for this class is extraordinary and I encourage you to read it carefully for your own edification. Conscientious reading is also necessary for you to do well on the Portfolio.
Portfolio Project
The Portfolio Project is an opportunity to reflect on various dimensions of the class. This project stresses personal intellectual development, written communication skills, and practice of 21st century skills including information and technological literacy.
Academic Integrity
The faculty and staff demand the highest levels of academic and professional integrity in all work at San Diego State University. Plagiarism, cheating, or any other type of academic dishonesty will be referred directly to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for disciplinary action.
Statement on What I Can and Can’t Do To Assist You
I will do everything within reason to actively support a wide range of learning styles. I will also do everything possible to make this class as well-organized and straightforward as possible so that students may be successful. My concern is for ALL of the students in the class, making sure that everything is fair, and that everyone has the opportunity to earn the highest grade possible.
For those who would seek special treatment:
Over many years of teaching I have found that, recently, the number of students who seek special consideration at the end of the semester has increased dramatically. This practice is especially common among students who have missed deadlines or done poorly on the midterm exam. Seeking special favors is not fair to all the hard-working students who have kept up with the course work over the entire semester and reflects a lack of integrity.
Furthermore, university policy does not allow professors to change grades or permit individual students to earn extra points without that same opportunity being available to every student in the class.
If you are concerned about your grade the time to do something about that is right now at the beginning of the class and throughout the full summer session.
If you must have a certain grade in the class to meet eligibility requirements for a major, a scholarship, athletics, or graduate school then it is your responsibility to see that you earn that grade. Out of respect for hard-working and honest students in the class, and university policy, I cannot provide special treatment for individual students. Although it is my hope that everyone is successful, that will ultimately be up to each of you. The course is designed to reward your efforts. If you want to do well in the class you will.
Accommodations for students with disabilities:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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