Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 27323 Public Policy for Leisure Sport and Tourism
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

Covering key aspects of project management, this subject aims to develop an understanding of how a contemporary leisure, sport or tourism issue can be identified, theorised and project managed. This subject, together with the second leisure management project subject, is the culmination of the theoretical and professional studies stream of the Bachelor of Management in Leisure. On conclusion, students are able to identify, articulate and debate professional issues that they will confront in their future careers.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Understand the theoretical and professional bases of a contemporary management issue in leisure, sport and tourism.
2. Review, critically evaluate and analyse alternatives, then select an appropriate method(s) for researching and solving a specific applied problem.
3. Develop an appropriate research/project proposal which outlines a plan for action relevant to the industry.
4. Demonstrate an ability to learn independently through the development of a learning agreement to manage the above processes.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject, as part one of a capstone, offers students the opportunity to take a critical and lateral approach to researching a contemporary issue in leisure management. This involves utilising theory, skills, knowledge and experience students have gained during their studies. A key component of this subject is the development of project management skills that are essential for effective management. This will enable the student to develop work-ready knowledge and skills relevant to the leisure industries and provide them with the ability to effectively communicate and maintain relationships within their professional field.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include guest speakers, lectures, tutorials and experiential learning. Where appropriate, guest speakers will be invited to join the tutorial discussions. The emphasis in this subject is on self-directed learning. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• The nature and scope of leisure management problems; identifying, conceptualising and analysing a management problem
• Client/consultant relationships
• Approaches to management problem solving
• Developing and writing a project proposal
• Project management

Assessment

Essay (Individual)	40%
This addresses objectives 1 and 2.
Problem Solving/Research Approach Evaluation (Individual)	20%
This addresses objectives 2 and 3.
Project Proposal (Individual)	40%
This addresses objectives 3 and 4.

The submission of the research evaluation will require students to submit an individualized report, will be accompanied by a statement of independent work on the cover sheet and will be marked using procedures aimed at detecting plagiarism. Topics for the project will be changed annually, therefore reducing the risk of plagiarism.

Recommended text(s)

Veal, A.J. (1997). Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism: A Practical Guide. London: Financial Times-Pitman.

Indicative references

Wearing, B. (1998). Leisure and Feminist Theory. London: Sage.

Roberts, K. (1999). Leisure in Contemporary Society. Oxon: CABI.

Rowe, D. & Lawrence G. (eds) (1998). Tourism, Leisure, Sport: Critical Perspectives. Rydalmere: Hodder.

Polonsky, M. J. & Waller, D. S. (2005). Designing and managing a research project: A business students guide. California: Sage Publications.

Nicholas, J. M. (2004). Project management for business and engineering: Principles and practice. Boston: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.