FOUNDATION DEGREE ADVENTURE TOURISM

 

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

 

1   Awarding institution/body

University of Essex

2   Teaching institution

Writtle College

3   Programme accredited by

n/a

4   Named award

FdA Adventure Tourism

5   Programme

Writtle College Foundation Degree Scheme

6   UCAS code (or other coding system if relevant)

N891

7   Relevant QAA subject benchmarking group(s)

Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism

8   Date of production/revision

December 2006

 

9 Educational aims of the programme:

           

The Foundation Degree programme is designed to produce students who will have an appropriate balance of vocationally specific practical skills and a broad based academic underpinning relevant to careers in adventure tourism.  The aim of the programme is therefore to produce graduates who have the ability to creatively solve work based problems and effectively manage resources in the complex and rapidly changing commercial environment.  They must have a broad perspective, a sound understanding of commercial practice, well developed specialised knowledge & skills and highly developed interpersonal skills.  These qualities reinforced by enthusiasm and commitment, will serve to further enhance their capacity to absorb information with discrimination, to learn quickly, to apply knowledge in a work based environment, to be receptive to new ideas, and to effectively manage change.

 

The objectives of the course are to:

 

·         develop specialised vocational knowledge and technical skills appropriate to specific areas of the adventure tourism industry;

 

·         develop commercial awareness, management & business skills as required by the industry;

 

·         develop evaluative capabilities through an academically challenging and intellectually demanding course of study;

 

·         develop flexible and innovative approaches to problem solving through adaptation and application of academic and vocational learning to a broad spectrum of related disciplines;

 

·         cultivate appropriate communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to function effectively within a team;

 

·         foster attitudes which are required for careers in adventure tourism and relevant to society in general.

 

 

 

 

10 Programme outcomes:

The programme will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

 

Knowledge and Understanding

A Knowledge and understanding of Adventure Tourism will be demonstrated by the ability to:

1.       appreciate the range of products and services that constitute the adventure tourism industry

2.       appreciate the technical skills and qualifications needed to guide, coach and instruct within the adventure tourism industry

3.       identify and implement the health and safety requirements for operating within the adventure tourism industry

4.       appreciate the international nature of the adventure tourism industry

5.       evaluate issues of lifestyle, consumption and culture as they affect people’s lives and the choices they make.

6.       evaluate the business environment and its impact on the adventure tourism industry

 

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Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

The acquisition of knowledge and understanding is approached through an emphasis on student-centred learning.  Integration of theoretical and practical learning ensures the strong vocational focus as a priority in the provision.

Acquisition of 1 to 6 is through key lectures, practical sessions, fieldwork and study tours, supported by small group work and tutorials.  The balance of lectures and small group work shifts towards a greater emphasis on small groups and independent learning methodologies at the higher levels.

Teaching and learning methods throughout are contextualised within discipline fields with increasing exposure to real-life scenarios and problems.  This culminates in the Level 2 Commercial Outdoor Operations module, where students apply the theory to a practical task.

Assessment:

Knowledge and understanding is assessed through a variety of methods - examinations, coursework, portfolios, vocational tasks, case studies, role plays, presentations and class discussions.

 

 

Skill and Other Attributes

B Intellectual skills – able to:

1.       research and assess subject specific facts, theories, principles and concepts

2.       critically assess and evaluate evidence

3.       critically interpret data and text

4.       describe and analyse information

5.       apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems

6.       develop a reasoned argument and challenge assumptions

7.       take responsibility for their own learning and continuing professional development.

 

 

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Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

Intellectual skills are developed through practical project work, tutorial seminar work and coursework assignments.

Open-ended practical and project work is designed to permit students to demonstrate achievement of all of the learning outcomes in this category.

Individual feedback is given to students on all work produced & through individual tutorials.

Assessment:

Cognitive skills are assessed by coursework and examination. The higher level examinations provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to structure a clear, concise reasoned argument and analyse an issue in a limited time period.

 

 

C Practical skills – able to:

 

1.       plan, design and execute practical activities needed to guide, coach and instruct within the adventure tourism industry using appropriate techniques and procedures

2.       undertake fieldwork with due regard for safety and risk assessment

3.       retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of sources

4.       analyse primary data to determine its strength and validity

5.       prepare technical reports

6.       give technical presentations in appropriate format for a variety of audiences

7.       use IT in a variety of situations to support the learning process, handle data and present information.

 

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Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

 

Subject practical skills are developed in a coordinated and progressive pattern throughout the programme.  In the lower levels attention is focused on the acquisition of basic skills and safe working practices through prescribed exercises.  In semesters three & four, more advanced techniques and open-ended exercises are introduced; these are supplemented by vocationally orientated modules.  Study tours in both years will form an integral part of the process of skill acquisition.

Assessment:

A variety of assessment methods are used to assess practical skills; these methods range from portfolios, case studies and role plays through to work shadowing.  The use of IT permeates all forms of presentation and assessment.  Students are encouraged through portfolios & tutorials to identify & guide their own academic & vocational development.

 

 

D Transferable/key skills – able to:

 

1.       communicate effectively using a variety of means and to a range of audiences

2.       apply numerical and statistical skills as appropriate

3.       manage time and resources, organise study pattern and work to deadlines

4.       participate constructively in teams and groups, showing tolerance and acceptance of other points of view

5.       demonstrate capacity to learn independently in familiar and unfamiliar situations with open-mindedness and in the spirit of critical enquiry

6.       find information from a variety of sources and use information technology

7.       understand career opportunities and challenges ahead and begin to plan a career path.

 

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Teaching/learning methods and strategies:

 

These skills are delivered and developed as an integrated component of all modules. 

Assessment:

Effective communication of ideas is an important criterion in assessing all areas of a learner’s work, and the regular feedback and final grade reflect this.

All students develop their information technology skills across the levels and this skill again forms a criterion for marking.

 

 

 

11  Programme structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:

 

The Adventure Tourism Foundation Degree course has been designed for full-time or part-time delivery mode.  Full-time students can complete their programmes in two years if they are not eligible for exemption. The academic year is organised over two fifteen-week semesters.  The units of learning are arranged in modules of 15 credit value and a full-time schedule allows students to study four modules per semester.

The programme is constructed of mostly compulsory modules, although in the second semester of year two students have a choice of taking Research Methods (to allow progression to honours level study) or another suitable option.  The core modules allow for theoretical underpinning to be included with vocationally based modules and ensure that students successfully completing the course will have studied the required modules to allow a smooth transition onto the BA Adventure Tourism schemes.

Students are encouraged to undertake additional relevant awards.  Several modules include both academic & practical content that provide the basic groundwork behind these qualifications.  By utilising the various clubs & societies within the College plus their own endeavours it is expected that most of the students will be in a position to undertake National Governing Body qualifications before the end of their course.

Students must satisfy all course scheme requirements at every level to allow them to graduate with their designated degree title.

 

Year 2/

credit level 2

Compulsory Core Units

Learning from Work Experience (15)

Career Development (15)

Rural Leisure & Tourism (15)

Event Management (15)

Adventure Tourism, Planning & Resources (15)

Commercial Outdoor Operations (15)

Education & Outdoor Studies (15)

 

 

Options

Research Methods (15)

 

Other appropriate Level 2 module from programmes across the College provision, incl. languages.

 

FD Adventure Tourism requires:

Minimum of 240 credits.

Outcomes developed/assessed:

Knowledge and skills as indicated by module reference sheets.

Progression requirements:

Minimum of 210 credits

 

 

 

 

 

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Year 1/

credit level 1

Compulsory Core Units

Learning Methods (15)

Work Experience as a Resource for Learning (15)

The Leisure & Tourism Industry (15)

Introduction to Finance (15)

Leisure & Tourism Theory & Structure (15)

Consumer Behaviour & Markets (15)

Adventure Tourism, Principles & Practices A (15)

Adventure Tourism, Principles & Practices B (15)

 

Options

 

 

N/A

 

Progression requirements:

Minimum 90 credits

 

Outcomes developed/assessed:

Knowledge and skills as indicated by module reference sheets.

 

 

12  Support for students and their learning:

All new students follow an induction programme at the start of their course.  A course specific handbook and module guides identify the course structure and content.  There is a broad range of library and IT facilities with extended access for students including free individual email facilities and access to the World Wide Web.  All students have a personal tutor to advise on pastoral and academic matters and access to trained counsellors and student welfare advisors where required.  Student support services exist for assistance and guidance with specific learning difficulties, e.g. dyslexia.  The rural resources that make up the College Estate are used to provide first hand experience in outdoor leisure and tourism management.  The course includes a range of visits, study tours and external speakers from industry.

 

13  Criteria for admission:

 

Typical Offer:

 

UCAS Tariff Points:  60 tariff points.  A maximum of 20 tariff points will be counted from Key Skills.  Each applicant will be considered on merit.  Whist academic qualifications such as A-levels, National Diplomas and HNCs will be considered, enthusiasm, experience and commitment are just as important.

 

14  Award Content – see diagram:

 

 

The following reference points were used in compiling this institutional Degree Programme Specification:

 

Writtle College Strategic Plan 2005-2009

Writtle College Learning & Teaching Strategy 2002-2005

Writtle College Semesterisation Framework Document, 2000.

QAA Guidelines for Preparing Programme Specifications, 2000.

QAA National Qualifications Framework for HE: a position paper, 2000.

QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism 2000

QAA Foundation Degree: Qualification Benchmark (Final Draft)