Study Guide

Learning outcomes

- apply possibilities of circular economy in development of sustainable tourism, leisure, restaurant, accommodation and event business
- identify new business opportunities
- explain the value of research, development and innovation projects in enhancement of tourism and leisure

Implementation and methods of teaching

In this study unit students learn about possibilities and challenges of sustainable tourism and company responsibility in practice and how they can be utilized to gain competitive advantage. Students work for the commissioned development project “Broader shoulders” where students work together with their commissioner companies and/or organizations that aim at applying a sustainability certificate. Students collaborate with their commissioners by helping them to analyze the current state in each company and based on gained information spar and support them to plan, execute and communicate sustainability matters.

The study unit will consist of learning assignments executed in teams and individually. The assignments include
1) Project assignment in small teams
2) Study circle in small groups with individual tasks
3) Discussions on current topics
4) Learning Diary and peer evaluation

The evaluation will be based on a) knowledge and information retrieval skills, b) practical skills, and c) responsibility and reflection skills.

Timing and attendance

The study unit is offered only in contact learning (unless the pandemic situation changes). The study unit starts in the 2nd week of January 2022 with a kick-off seminar. The ca. 15 lectures take place once a week.
Lectures can also be used for team work, company visits, work shops and other activities.

Learning material and recommended literature

The learning material will be announced at the beginning of the study unit, incl. books, reports, articles, blogs, videos. Partly the material will be retrieved by the student.

Alternative completion methods

Must be agreed with the teacher in advance.

Working life cooperation

The study unit is connected to close collaboration with the RDI project "Broader Shoulders" and the participating companies.

Contents

- Corporate responsibility principles (people, planet, profit) in the field of tourism and leisure
- CSR as competitive advantage
- Labels and certificates related to sustainable tourism
- Sustainable Travel Finland programme

Assessment criteria

The project work will be evaluated by the teacher, the commissioner(s), peer students and as self evaluation by students themselves. Other assignments include teacher, peer and self evaluation. Learning Diaries are read only by the teacher and are not evaluated/graded.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

Student is not able to contribute or finish the given tasks successfully in the given time frame.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student is able to find information and justify one's choices.
The student is able to apply professional concepts in a goal-oriented development project.
The student is able to collaborate and contribute with support of others

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student is able to critically appraise and compare different sources of information.
The student is able to organize multidisciplinary teamwork in complex situations at work.
The student is able to propose innovative solutions in professional problem-solving.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student is able to evaluate and justify the suitability of information resources.
The student is able to combine different professional concepts in a meaningful way.
The student is able to plan and execute development tasks by analyzing different options available.
The student is able to critically evaluate different solutions in professional problem-solving.