Tourism Studies, Master's Dissertation, 30 credits
(Turismvetenskap, magisteruppsatstermin, 30 högskolepoäng)
| Course code | 1046TR |
|---|---|
| Subject area | Tourism and Recreation Studies |
| Main field of study | Tourism Studies |
| Progressive specialisation | A1E (Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)) |
| Academic school | School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies |
| Disciplary domain |
Social sciences 100%
|
| Grading scale | AF |
| Education cycle | Second-cycle (Master) |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Valid from | Autumn semester 2018 |
Validation
This course syllabus was validated by the Management Board of the School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies at Södertörn University on 2018-04-23 according to the stipulations in the Higher Education Ordinance.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree including 90 credits in Tourism Studies, and English 6/English B or equivalent.
Learning outcomes
On completing the course, the student can:
Knowledge and understanding
- describe in detail the following specialisation in tourism studies: sustainable destination, heritage attractions, events, professional meetings, collaborative networks and hospitality management within metropolitan tourism.
- compile previous research in tourism studies based on a topic overview with the aim of identifying interesting and important areas of research.
- describe in detail methods for investigation and analysis that are relevant to the issues of tourism studies.
Skills and abilities
- autonomously identify and formulate scholarly problems to carry out advanced tasks.
- critically search for and review current and relevant research that could form a coherent theoretical framework for work in tourism studies.
- assess the suitability of, and apply, relevant research methods to a scholarly problem.
- categorise, systematise and analyse empirical qualitative and quantitative data and information in a scholarly manner.
- autonomously plan, conduct, present and defend a scientific work on issues of tourism studies.
- critically review and oppose scholarly articles and essays on issues of tourism studies.
- integrate knowledge and analyse complex research questions, even with limited information.
Judgement and approach
- discuss and problematise tourism’s role, scope and significance in contemporary society.
- critically assess the social and ethical implications of research and development work.
- critically reflect on his or her own learning and the need for further knowledge in their continued professional development.
Course content, modules and examinations
The course provides an overview of tourism studies and a specialisation in city tourism and its related topics. The course starts with the planning of the independent project (master's dissertation). This is followed by a literature review and compilation of a theoretical framework based on the dissertation's research problem, chosen by the individual student. Following this is a module on research methods, focusing on the use of different methods and knowledge integration. Finally, the independent project is conducted (Master's dissertation).
Individual Specialisation, 7.5 credits
(Individuell specialisering, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
The module is conducted as a literature review, giving the student in-depth insights into disciplinary approaches in tourism studies, as well as specialist knowledge in research areas in tourism. Based on the literature review, the student compiles a theoretical framework that is discussed at the seminars. The purpose is for students to understand and explain scholarly theories, models, methods and their application to various issues.
1001, Individual Specialisation, 7.5 credits
(Individuell specialisering,
7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted:
AF
Research Methods, 7.5 credits
(Forskningsmetoder, 7,5 högskolepoäng)
The module begins with a study in which the student justifies his or her choice and use of research methods based on various scholarly problems and approaches. Furthermore, the module provides in-depth knowledge of how to search for, critically evaluate, analyse and integrate quantitative and/or qualitative data and information in tourism studies. The ability to defend his or her conclusions in front of a selected audience is developed. Different academic perspectives and principles are studied to encourage reflective thinking.
1002, Research Methods, 7.5 credits
(Forskningsmetoder,
7,5 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted:
AF
Master's Dissertation, 15 credits
(Magisteruppsats, 15 högskolepoäng)
The student conducts an autonomous scholarly work (Master's dissertation) in one of the research areas in city tourism: sustainable destination, heritage attractions, events, professional meetings, collaborative networks and hospitality management. Following a reasoned suggestion from the student, the supervisor may approve other areas of research. The work includes conducting essay planning, problem definition, literature review, empirical study and analysis with conclusions, finally bringing together the whole study to a scholarly paper.
1003, Master's Dissertation, 15 credits
(Magisteruppsats,
15 högskolepoäng)
Grades permitted:
AF
Course design
Lectures, seminars and tutorials. All teaching is in English, although the individual student can choose to write assignments and the independent project (Master's dissertation) in English or Swedish.Examination format
1001: Individual specialisation:
- Individual written assignment
1002: Research Methods:
- Individual written assignment
- Seminar participation
1003: Master's dissertation:
- The independent project (Master's dissertation) is presented, discussed and defended at a final seminar. The dissertation must also include an English abstract and a popular summary of each no more than one (1) page.
- The student must also critically review another student's independent project (Master's dissertation).
- Seminar participation and supervision meetings
Occasional missed seminars and supervision may, after consultation with the examining teacher, be compensated for through written assignments, or if the examiner deems appropriate, other relevant compensation tasks.
The grading criteria are distributed prior to the start of a course or module.
If a student has a certificate from Södertörn University for compensatory support, the examiner has the right to decide on an adapted examination or alternative form of examination in accordance with Södertörn University's regulations.
Restrictions on accreditation
The course may not be accredited as part of a degree if the contents are partly or wholly the same as a course previously taken in Sweden or elsewhere.
Other stipulations
Following the Vice-Chancellors decision on internationalization and grade scale at Södertörn University College (dnr: 1148-1.1.2-2018), this syllabus replaces the syllabus with course code 1033TR, with the difference that the grade system has been updated. The syllabus is determined through special order (dnr: 1776-2.1.1-2018).