Tourism Studies MA, Applied Research Through Fieldwork, 15 credits

Aim

In this course, Masters’ students are able to combine through group activities previously accumulated knowledge and skills enabling them to apply theory to practical settings. They do this through supervised fieldwork where they are encouraged to solve complex real-life tourism-related problems involving multiple stakeholder perspectives.

Course objectives

Upon completing the course, the student shall be able to:
1) Identify theoretical and practical implications of research methods and their processes

2) Manage opportunities and challenges found in various fieldwork practices in the social but also natural sciences

3) Critically discuss matters of positionality, relationality, accessibility, ethics, reflexivity, and methodological appropriateness in an research setting

4) Develop and evaluate practical solutions to theoretical problems

5) Demonstrate the ability to work in group settings and learn how to reconcile conflicting stakeholder perspectives

6) Communicate scientific knowledge verbally and in writing, adapted to different receivers

Content

This field-based course is directed to students in the Masters’ Program in Tourism Studies. Students deal with issues relating to tourism development and management in “real-life” settings. For instance, research can be conducted relating to small and medium enterprises in rural regions and the challenges they face and their survival strategies. Alternatively, they could examine means through which destination management organizations seek to improve marketing. Primarily through group work, students are encouraged to coordinate with key stakeholders at the destinations under investigation. They will utilize a number of field methods to collect and analyze data. Emphasis is placed on a variety of data collection methods, including ethnography, interviews and focus groups but also surveys.

Entry requirements

A bachelor' s degree of at least 180 credits (ECTS) and English course 6/English course B from Swedish Upper Secondary School (Gymnasium) or the equivalent, and the students must successfully have passed the following preceding courses in the program, which are respectively KG022A (Tourism in a Changing World), TR009A (Tourism and the Sustainability Agenda), TR013A (Tourism Management and Economics), TR012A (Quantitative Methods in Tourism), TR011A (Qualitative Methods in Tourism).

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

The main aspect of this class is applied fieldwork. Excursions to the designated field setting take place early in the course while students also have to attend lectures and seminars as well as work in groups during class-time. Emphasis is placed on teamwork.

Examination form

0010: PM, 3 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

0011: Group project, 12 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

The final examination involves the preparation of a written field report. This report must be also be presented orally. Individual assignments are given out during the course and these can be both oral and written.

Grading system, www.miun.se/betygskriterier

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

Other information

This is a course within the 2-year Master Program in Tourism and taught entirely in English.
Because the course is field-based and involves expenses, students are responsible for paying travel and lodging expenses.


The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University's disabilities adviser.