Course Outline. Part I

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1 Course Outline Part I Programme Title : All Full-time Undergraduate Programmes Course Title : Conservation and Ecotourism Course code : COC1040 / CSL1013 Department : Science and Environmental Studies Credit Points : 3 Contact Hours : 39 Pre-requisite(s) : Nil Medium of Instruction: English Level : 1 Part II Synopsis The course provides a detailed description and analysis of ecotourism in the context of environmental conservation and sustainability. Its primary aim is to provide students with a basic understanding of the principles of ecological conservation as knowledge foundations. On top of the background knowledge, the conceptual frameworks in sustainable tourism and associated skills, for instances the issues on the conservation and management of natural heritage, are further developed. Through a review and discussion of the industrial operations of ecotourism and its potential threats to wildlife, the positive values and attitude towards the nature and biodiversity are aimed to be developed. The potential development of ecotourism in Hong Kong will be examined from the multiple aspects of meeting recreation demand, promoting the environmental sustainability and generating economic benefits. The roles of public and private sectors in planning and developing ecotourism are also discussed with other comparable systems. Authentic scenarios are provided to the students in learning the issues and acquiring the skills through the Problem-Based Learning approach. As a final project, students are expected to plan and conduct an ecotour for various visitors in a given natural trail of the local environment. Field visits will be scheduled for students to consolidate the knowledge and practise the skills acquired in the classroom. Case studies will be examined and reported by the students in group presentation to identify specific socio-economic and cultural costs and benefits associated with an ecotour. The practical experience gained in the course shall strengthen students ability in organizing conservation-related field visit in various future careers for example becoming a teacher. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILO s ) At the end of the course, the learners will be able to: CILO 1 describe the principles of environmental conservation and ecotourism; CILO 2 apply the key concepts of environmental conservation to the healthy development of ecotourism; CILO 3 critically analyze the benefits and challenges of ecotourism reviewed in the case study of existing ecotour; CILO 4 acquire knowledge and experience for planning, managing and guiding ecotours; 1

2 CILO 5 demonstrate positive attitude towards the nature and evaluate the adequacy of applying sustainability in ecotourism. Content and Teaching & Learning Activities CILO Teaching Content Teaching & Learning Activities CILO 1, 2 Environmental Conservation and Strategies, Ecotourism and Environment Scientific foundation and real-world practice of conservation biology Basic concepts and importance about environmental conservation and sustainable ecotourism. Interdisciplinary nature of conservation in practice, using case study approach and group discussion CILO 1,2,5 CILO 2,3,4,5 CILO 2, 3,4 Biodiversity Conservation and Introductions of Exotic Species Basic knowledge for identifying various conservation problems. (e.g. exotic species and its introductions). Historical and current trends relating to species endangerment and extinction; Principles of Sustainable Development and Sustainable Tourism Introduction of sustainable development and ecotourism Discussion about environmental impacts of ecotourism; Real-life case studies to illustrate the knowledge, practice and management of sustainable ecotourism. Development of ecotourism Sustainable development in Hong Kong Public and private sectors Ecotourism in the world and field study and group discussion Lecture, web surfing, literature reviews and group discussion CILO 1,2, 3,4 Ecotourism in Theory Lectures, field study (coral community/ Ecotourism site and activity design in relation to to freshwater habitat), Conservation group discussion and Environmental interpretation for the general public group presentation to Environmental teaching approach evaluate an existing Outdoor education management tour.. 2

3 CILO 1,2, 3,4,5 Ecotourism in Practice Planning and organizing an eco-tour with the consideration of appropriate site conservation and development. Lectures, group discussion and planning, field study and individual in situ presentation, (woodland/ shrub land/ grassland/ mangrove / rocky shore/ sandy shore/ freshwater habitat) Assessment CILO Assessment Tasks Weighting (%) 1, 2, 3 & 4 A. Group presentation of the field tour proposal Each group presents in the class a case study of an existing ecotour. The presentation should critically evaluate the 10% ecotours in terms of environmental conservation, sustainability, safety concern and effectiveness of implementation.. - Assessment of students understandings of environmental, biodiversity conservation and associating strategies, ecotourism in theory and in practice, for example activity design and outdoor education management. 1, 2, 3 & 4 B. Final written group proposal. Each group submits a written proposal of an one-hour field tour. The plan should include the objectives and planning of the natural trail, benefits and challenges, safety consideration, limitations and remediation etc.. 40% 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 - Assessment of students understandings of environmental, biodiversity conservation and associating strategies, ecotourism in theory and in practice, for example activity design and outdoor education management. C. Individual assessment on in situ presentation and guiding skill in a field tour Each student involve in a part of the field tour, guiding the field tour and introducing the ecological or cultural information of a field site e.g. ecosystem, natural or cultural heritages. - Assessment of students understandings of ecological knowledge, environmental conservation and relevant information of a suggested site. - Assessment of students skill for implementing ecotourism - Assessment of students attitude towards conservation and sustainable ecotourism 40% 1, 2, 3, 4 & D. Individual reflection on the course. 10% 3

4 5 Self-evaluation of the students for their course performance, improvement on environmental awareness and limitation in implementation of the planning for ecotour. - Assessment of students understandings of the course content on ecological knowledge and environmental conservation. - Assessment of students attitude towards conservation and sustainable ecotourism Required Text(s): Nil Recommended Readings: Büscher, B. & Davidov, V. (2013) Rural Livelihoods and the Ecotourism/Extraction Nexus. New York, USA: Routledge Hill, J.L., & Gale, T. (2009) Ecotourism and environmental sustainability: principles and practice. Farnham, UK: Ashgate Publishing Lovejoy, T.E., & Hannah, L. (2005) Climate Change and Biodiversity. New Haven, USA: Yale University Press. Wearing, S., & Neil, J. (1999) Ecotourism: impacts, potentials and possibilities. Boston, USA: Butterworth-Heinemann Duffy, R. (2002). A Trip too Far: Ecotourism, Politics and Exploitation. Oxford, UK: Earthscan. Dyke, F.V. (2008). Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications.(2 nd ed.). Dordrecht, Netherland: Springer Fennel, D.A. (2007). Ecotourism (3 rd ed.). New York, USA: Routledge. Higham, J. (2007). Critical Issues in Ecotourism. New York, USA: Routledge Honey, M. (2008). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? (2 nd ed.) Washington DC, USA: Island Press. Hunter Jr. M.L., Gibbs, J.P. (2006). Fundamentals of Conservation Biology (3 rd ed.). Oxford, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. Lim, P. (2002). Discovering Hong Kong's Cultural Heritage: Hong Kong and Kowloon. New York, USA: Oxford University Press. Lim, P. (2002). Discovering Hong Kong's Cultural Heritage: The New Territories (revised ed.). New York, USA: Oxford University Press. Primack, R.B. (2010). Essentials of Conservation Biology (5 th ed.). Sunderland, USA: Sinauer Associates Seba, J. (2011). Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism: New Perspectives and Studies. Waretown, USA: Apple Academic Press. Sharpley, R. (2009). Tourism Development and the Environment: Beyond Sustainability? (Tourism Environment and Development). New York, USA: Earthscan Sigala, M., Leslie, D. (2005). International Cultural Tourism: Management, Implications and Cases. Oxford, UK: Taylor & Francis Wearing, S., Neil, J. (2009). Ecotourism (2 nd ed.). New York, USA: Routledge Weaver, D. (2008). Ecotourism (2 nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Wiley. Related Journals: 4

5 Biodiversity and Conservation (Publisher: Springer) Biological Conservation (Publisher: Elsevier) Journal of Sustainable Tourism (Publisher: Taylor & Francis) Tourism Management (Publisher: Elsevier) Related Web Resources: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSAR Hong Kong Traveler b5.html Magazine Hong Kong Discovery Eco-Education and Resources Centre (ERC) ERC/

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Cruise Services and Management

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Subject Code Subject Title HTM4327 Cruise Services and Management Credit Value 3 Level 4 Pre-requisite / Co-requisite/ Exclusion Objectives Nil The subject introduces