Master of International Sustainable Tourism Management - 2018

Sustainability represents an increasingly influential facet of tourism planning, development, governance and management, encompassing a diversity of sectors as the industry continues to expand globally. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is also forecasting that the growth rate for emerging economies will be double the rate of advanced economies in the years leading to 2030 and that a sustainable industry can therefore play a significant role in the achievement of the millennium development goals.

Effective planning and policy making for international tourism, and for the management of environmental, socio-cultural and economic consequences is critical. There is a growing demand for well-qualified managers who not only have a broad and deep understanding of global business activity, but a clear insight into the consequences of planning and policy-making on the environment, society, culture and the economy.

This course looks at how tourism can be compatible with the development of sustainable organisations, urban and rural development/regeneration, natural resource management and wildlife conservation, as well as the diversifying benefits from international and domestic tourism. It facilitates the development of skills and techniques to develop tourism policies and practices in a global setting and to management tourism development and enterprises in the direction of more sustainable practice.

Students are encouraged to take part of their studies overseas in order to broad their understanding of the international market and the role that a sustainable tourism industry can play in emerging economies. The course provides students with the opportunity to attend a partially funded intensive field school to study the patterns of development within an emerging economy in the Asia-Pacific such as Fiji, Vietnam or Cambodia.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that students will be able to:

1. articulate an understanding of critical issues and trends in contemporary sustainable tourism practice and apply this understanding to devising practical solutions to problems in the field
2. apply knowledge of best practice in the planning, marketing and management of sustainable tourism practice in international contexts
3. articulate and apply an understanding of the contemporary international trends driving the industry
4. demonstrate a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of international sustainable tourism management
5. apply a critical familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to international sustainable tourism management
6. apply advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal
7. demonstrate advanced analytical skills
8. demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project related to sustainable tourism management.

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Core master's study, Part B. Advanced expertise and Part C. Specialist studies. All students complete Part A. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part B or Part C or a combination of the two.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Core master's study (48 points)

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of the tourism industry, policy governance and research, to develop a critical understanding of the relationships between tourism and sustainable development with a particular emphasis on emerging economies and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises within them.

Part B. Advanced expertise (24 points)

The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options:

• a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests. This option includes the opportunity to undertake an internship in the field.
• a 24 point research thesis. Students wishing to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research should take this second option.

Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a cognate discipline including humanities or social sciences, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.

Part C. Specialist studies (24 points)

These studies provide you with a further opportunity to advance your studies in the tourism sustainability field.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Core master's study (48 points), Part B. Advanced expertise (24 points) and Part C. Specialist studies (24 points).

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• Students admitted at entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B (a. or b.) and Part C (a. or b.).
• Students admitted at entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Part A and Part B (a. or b.).
• Students admitted at entry level 3 complete 48 points, comprising Part A.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2018handbooks/maps/map-a6012.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with a '5' are 12 points.

Part A. Core master's study (48 points)

Students complete:

The following units (48 points):

• APG5389 Tourism industry and marketing
• APG5609 Sustainable tourism development and planning*
• APG5717 Applied industry research and practice
• APG5720 Cultural tourism and events management*

Part B. Advanced expertise (24 points)

Students complete a. or b. below.

a. One capstone unit (12 points) from the following:

• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5183 International tourism marketing research project*
• APG5390 Contemporary tourism and development in emerging economies*
• APG5856 Research project*

plus one of the following units (12 points):

• ENS5010 Global challenges and sustainability
• ENS5020 Perspectives on sustainability

b. Thesis

• APG5848 Research thesis (24 points) or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)**

* Students electing to take the research thesis option and APG5856 should consult with the course coordinator

** Students admitted to the course at entry level 3 who wish to complete this 24 point research thesis should consult with the course coordinator.

Part C. Specialist knowledge (24 points)

Students complete a. and b.:

a. One unit (12 points) from the following (if not completed earlier):

• APG5067 Cultural economy and sustainable development*
• APG5390 Contemporary tourism and development in emerging economies*
• APG5805 Project planning and management in international development
• ENS5010 Global challenges and sustainability
• ENS5020 Perspectives on sustainability

b. One unit (12 points) from the following or 12 points of approved units from any other Arts Graduate coursework program. All units are available unless marked with an asterisk (*):

• APG5054 Research methods for development practice and change
• APG5426 Environmental analysis
• APG5433 Corporate sustainability management
• APG5470 Managing multicultural teams (6 points)
• APG5471 Leadership in intercultural environments (6 points)
• APG5555 Digital tourism economy
• APG5628 Deconstructing development
• APG5894 Communications theories and practices
• APG5900 Cultural economy
• any capstone unit not completed in Part B

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma in Arts after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.

Students entering at Entry levels 1 and 2 can complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students entering at entry level 3 will normally already have an honours degree, however, students in this group who wish to complete a research thesis in international sustainable tourism management should discuss the options with the course coordinator.