Year 2 (national level 5):
Core modules:
Managing the Event (20 credits)
Undertake the organisation, running, review and evaluation of a conference, exhibition or event in a tourism or hospitality context. Reflect on how moral, ethical, social, environmental and health and safety issues affect the planning, marketing and sales of conferences and events. Work with real-world product development scenarios, involving links with local and/or regional tourism and leisure industry organisations.
Research Methods for the Service Sector (20 credits)
Gain an understanding of the principles of research design and fieldwork, preparing you for research projects that you will undertake later in your university study. Discuss the philosophical underpinnings of quantitative and qualitative research methods and enable yourself to undertake ethical research using participant observation and ethnographic methods, interviewing and focus groups, and questionnaire surveys.
MICE: Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (20 credits)
Analyse the meetings and conference industry, explore principles and operational practices of MICE and conceptualize them within the wider contemporary commercial context. Explore the importance of this industry for the events, tourism and hospitality industry, particularly with focus upon its importance for destination branding. Use different case studies and examples from around the world to illustrate subject knowledge, including operational aspects such as Human Resource Management, Site and Venue considerations as well as Supply and Demand aspects of MICE.
Consultancy for the Visitor Economy (20 credits)
Examine and explain aspects of management application from within different organisational contexts. Analyse and evaluate current business practice through appropriate data collection methods, including electronic sources. Derive and formulate feasible, realistic and cogent conclusions and recommendations to specific hospitality, events, aviation or tourism businesses. Reflect on your own expertise by making an application to these businesses via CV and covering letter.
Optional modules:
Events Fieldwork 2 (20 credits)
Travel overseas on a one-week field visit within Europe – visits in recent years have focused on festivalisation, sport tourism and dark events in Krakow, Barcelona and Dublin. Get an introduction to the field area from preparatory lectures, before taking part in group visits and group survey work in the assessed task. Use data collected on the field trip to form the basis of your individual assessed work back in Sunderland.
Cultural Tourism, Festivals and Events (20 credits)
Examine the relationship between tourism and culture, particularly cultural tourism in different spatial and social contexts. Explore topics that include; tourist practice and performance; globalisation and trends in cultural tourism, festivals and events; cultural tourism festivals and events in urban context; cultural tourism, festivals and events in rural contexts; cultural tourism, festivals and events in Europe; cultural tourism festivals and events in the UK; tourism and cultural identities; issues of commodification and authenticity; modernism and postmodernism and tourism the media and popular culture.
Planning Hospitality Environments (20 credits)
Conceptualize a gastronomic themed event, develop a business and marketing plan, and reflect on hospitality management using a variety of performance measurement techniques. Get an introduction to topics that include event conceptualisation, menu development, food and beverage management, marketing and public relations, interior design, legal and health and safety issues and customer service relations. Take advantage of industry expertise from the hospitality sector through guest lectures, visits to hospitality venues and bespoke workshops.
Exploring Human Resource Management in the Service Sector (20 credits)
Gain awareness and knowledge of some of the HR processes, management and resourcing challenges that can be experienced when dealing and managing employees in industry. Showcase your current skill level when planning and hosting your own training session – a key area to performance and employment with high levels of investment. Critically reflect upon your own personal learning experience, professional performance and practice throughout.
Branding for the Service Sector (20 credits)
Discover the principles and practices of branding for the service sector. Explore the importance of destination brands and brands for the tourism, hospitality, events, and aviation industries and their experience-related products. Enhance your understanding of brand management, positioning and brand image within the service sector context.