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GSE826 Ecotourism for Sustainable Development

About this Unit

Semester 1, 2009
Offered: D1 - Day; First Half-Year (Block mode delivery)
Convenor: A/Prof Stephen Wearing
Prerequisites/Corequisites: None
Credit Points: 4

Core unit in Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters in Sustainable Development.
Optional unit in other Diploma and Masters programs.

This unit explores the role of ecotourism as a in achieving sustainable development. By examining a range of international and national case studies, students will

  1. evaluate the community, cultural and conservation benefits of ecotourism and
  2. identify principles of good practice.

The unit aims to build upon the student's professional knowledge and develop their capacity to plan and manage an ecotourism program to achieve sustainable development objectives. It engages students in an exploration of ecotourism related themes such as community based conservation, issues management and conflict resolution, the involvement of indigenous populations in sustainable income generating activities, gender, and resource management

The focus of GSE826 is on Ecotourism that contributes to change for sustainable development. Ecotourism for sustainable development is more than nature tourism, heritage tourism, sustainable tourism, cultural tourism or adventure tourism. In this unit, ecotourism focuses on community building and stakeholder engagement as processes, which assist communities in resolving environmental issues and contribute to social change.

Ecotourism for sustainable development explores how this commercial activity can assist in the transition towards a form of development which helps create stronger local economies and assist people who often have no alternative but to slash and burn for a coffee plantation, cut precious wood for fuel, graze land for cattle to feed their families or resort to other activities which degrade their environments. The course will consider whether ecotourism can give new value to a local ecosystem, provides a way out of the poverty trap, encourages community-based conservation and stimulates the value and protection of traditional knowledge. Recognizing that ecotourism can offer community and cultural as well as conservation benefits, international conservation and development agencies are embracing ecotourism to as a tool for the attainment of sustainable development. The course also explores their role in promoting and achieving ecotourism for sustainable development.

Rationale

This unit contributes to developing an understanding of sustainable development in association with the other three units that form the core in the Sustainable Development awards. The unit develops an appreciation of the processes of involving communities in determining their own development options and benefiting from their environmental and cultural heritage. As tourism is a major industry in the world, this unit assists those in other fields such as environmental management and planning to appreciate how to minimise impacts on culture, people and the environment.

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Teaching Staff

Associate Professor Stephen Wearing
School of Leisure Sport and Tourism
University of Technology Sydney
Phone: (02) 9514 5432
Email: Stephen.Wearing@uts.edu.au

Ms Penny Figgis
Visiting Fellow, GSE

Dr Mathew McDonald
School of Leisure Sport and Tourism
University of Technology Sydney
Email: Matthew.McDonald@uts.edu.au

Dr Stephen Schweinsberg
School of Leisure Sport and Tourism
University of Technology Sydney
Email: Stephen.C.Schweinsberg@student.uts.edu.au

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Classes

Classes are held in block mode over 6 days from 10am – 5 pm in room E8A 386. It is compulsory to attend each session.

The dates and times are listed in the Schedule of Lectures below.

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Unit web page

There is no web page for this unit.

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Technology Used and Required

Web tools and e-discussion

Library Support

The Library's Information Technology Customer Support Desk provides assistance or information about student email accounts, password changes for MUOTF automatically:

E-Readings

There are some reading placed on Reserve at MU library.

You will find instructions on how to access e-readings at http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/resources/reserve/help.html

The actual e-readings can be accessed from the Reserve site: http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/resources/reserve/

GSE 826 Ecotourism Group

The GSE 826 ecotourism group will use your Macquarie University student emails. 

 

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Learning Outcomes

Through the successful completion of this unit the student will:

Specialist Outcomes

  1. Be able to conceptualize ecotourism and sustainable development;
  2. Begin to understand how ecotourism can contribute to the process of change towards sustainable development;
  3. Be able to demonstrate an effective grasp of the international literature relating to eco-tourism for sustainable development;
  4. Be aware of the principles and processes of good practice in eco-tourism for sustainable development;
  5. Be able to critique the value of strategies and programs in eco-tourism for sustainable development;
  6. Be able to contribute to the eco-tourism debate.

Generic Outcomes

  1. Develop ability to write cogent and clearly structured reports, addressing defined issues;
  2. Develop self-management and collaboration skills;
  3. Develop ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
  4. Develop creative thinking skills to envision, create and discover;
  5. Develop critical analysis skills to process, synthesize and evaluate;
  6. Develop cultural understanding and respect at the professional and personal level;
  7. Develop a capacity for independent learning and inquiry;
  8. Develop a sense of social, ethical and professional responsibility.

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Graduate Capabilities Developed

This unit contributes to developing the "discipline specific knowledge and skills" graduate capabilities for scholarly understanding of sustainable development and in particular ecotourism, so that students can evaluate and plan programs, and use their knowledge in novel situations.  

This unit contributes to graduate capabilities of "engaged and ethical local and global citizens" through exposure to cases from other cultures and social disadvantage as well having to respond to the demand of supporting and working with other students with diverse perspectives in group work.

The unit contributes to developing graduate capabilities to be socially and environmentally active and responsible, by developing their understanding of ways to improve the social and environmental condition. 

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Teaching and Learning Strategy

All sessions will take place in room E8A 386 from 10am - 5.00 pm. 

The sessions will consist of three main activities:

  1. Short presentations
  2. Practical workshops in which students are asked to complete a task
  3. Discussion groups
  4. Group work preparation

Schedule of Lectures

Date Session
Saturday 7 March

Introduction to Course & Session 1: Mathew McDonald and Stephen Schweinsberg

  • Reivew of unit objectives, arrangements and assessments
  • Defining Ecotourism
  • Ecotourism in Australia and around the world
  • Human-nature relations and the experience of ecotourism
Friday 20 March

Session 2: Stephen Wearing

  • Capacity building through Ecotourism
  • Ecotourism Accreditation
  • Community Accreditation
  • Wildlife management and conservation
Saturday 21 March

Session 3: Stephen Schweinsberg

  • Ecotourism as a tool for sustainable development
  • World Millennium Development Goals
  • Agenda 21 and Community Development through Ecotourism
  • Planning for Sustainable Development
Saturday 4 April

Session 4: Penny Figgis

Assignment 1 submitted
Friday 15 May

Session 5: Stephen Wearing and Mathew McDonald

  • Planning and creating ecotourism for communities and sustainability
  • Socio-cultural impact assessment and community participation
  • National strategies for ecotourism development
Saturday 16 May

Session 6: Stephen Schweinsberg

Assignment 2: Student Group Submission and Presentations
Monday 8 June Assignment 3 due

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Assessment Requirements

Students are required to complete all three assignments at a satisfactory postgraduate level of achievement to pass the course. 

These assignments have been designed to allow you to demonstrate to yourself and the unit convener that you have achieved the unit learning outcomes.  

Assessment Description Max. Length Marks Due
Assignment 1
(Individual) 		Essay on a set topic 3000-3500 words 40% 4 April 2009
Assignment 2
(Groups of 3) 		Presentation of Case Study Proposal / Program Evaluation
Proposal (Assignment 3)
Defence and Summary (1 page)		 500 word summary and 15 minute presentation 20% 16 May 2009
Assignment 3 (Groups of 3) A Project Prosposal / Program Evaluation or Case Study Report 5000 words 40%

8 June 2009

Essay must be submitted electronically to Mathew McDonald by 5pm on the date due.

Written assignment 3 must be submitted electronically to Mathew McDonald by 5pm on the date due.

All assignments must include the cover sheet, which is located at http://www.els.mq.edu.au/undergraduate/assignments.htm.

Referencing must follow conventional guidelines as outlined in the GSE Writing Guide.

As well ASSIGNMENTS must be submitted through the University's ANTI-PLAGIARISM DETECTION SOFTWARE, 'TURNITIN'.

Your assessment task will be automatically compared to work of your classmates, previous students from Macquarie and other universities, with material available on the Internet, both freely available and subscription-based electronic journals.

The results of the analysis will be sent only to your lecturer, who will analyse the results in reference to the University's standard Policy on Plagiarism

Late Submissions

Assignments that are handed in late without and extension will not be marked.

Assignments that are handed in late with an extension will lose 10% of marks per day.

Assignment 1: Essay (Individual)

Length: 3,000 - 3,500 words
Value: 40%
Due: Saturday 4 April

This assignment provides you with an opportunity to examine interpret and evaluate the literature dealing with underlying issues and principles associated with the concept of sustainability as it applies to ecotourism.

You are required to write an essay of 3,000 - 3500 words on your selected topic. Students must reference a minimum of 10 refereed journal articles and 5 books.

Each topic essentially represents a debatable proposition. The essay should contain a balanced argument, considering the arguments both for and against the proposition. It must demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate the evidence contained in the literature and arrive at a conclusion about the validity of the proposition.

Your task: To choose one of the following essay topics.

Essay 1: Sustainable Tourism is it a pious hope for change in the tourism industry or is it providing mechanisms for change? Discuss using a specific case study such  as sex tourism, adventure tourism, protected areas, mass tourism etc using example

Essay 2: Ecotourism operators often see an essential element of tourism in developing countries as interaction with indigenous communities. Evaluate and provide examples of the likely socio-cultural impacts on these communities and ways operators may mitigate this 

Essay 3: Is Eco-labelling of real value to ecotour operators or ecotourists? Discuss why and why not and include examples.  

Essay 4: The tourist often ventures out to see 'difference' and 'otherness' positioning the host culture as 'exotic' (often inferior and subjected to the voyeuristic gaze of the tourist in a way that reinforces the dominant values of the tourist). Discuss how destination communities might find mechanism to change this in particular host communities in developing countries?

Essay 5: Write a question of your choice related to the Subject area. This will need approval from your Lecturer/Tutor at least 3 weeks prior to the due date and must be an original topic area.

Criteria for Assessment
  1. Your ability to present a balanced argument (the essay should consider the arguments both for an against the proposition or question)
  2. Critical analysis (Your ability to critically analyse the evidence contained in the literature)
  3. Ability to provide analysis from a variety of sources
  4. Grammar, spelling, referencing
  5. Drawing of conclusions (Your ability to arrive at conclusions about the validity of the proposition or question)
  6. Implications of the issues raised for ecotourism management

Assignment 2: Presentation/Defence of Proposal (Groups of 3)

Length: 500 word summary and presentation
Value: 20%
Due: Saturday 16 May

This assignment provides an opportunity for you to sharpen your presentation skills and demonstrate your ability to persuade an audience that Assignment 3 is a worthwhile ecotourism pr oject .

 You are required to present the essential elements from Assignment 3.

Your Task:

1. Prepare 15 minute presentation in which you attempt to persuade the audience of the value of your project or initiative.

Through this presentation you:

  • Describe the rationale, objectives and the thinking behind the program
  • Describe the major components and activities of the program
  • Summarise your issues, program management plan and timeline
  • Summarise and justify the list of resources needed (including personnel & skills; equipment; capital works)

2. Provide an executive summary (max. 500 words) in which you highlight the important points and arguments of your presentation.

3. Prepare for the Question and Answer session which will be lead by the Selection Panel after the presentation.

Duration:
15 minutes presentation (max)
10 minutes questions from the Panel and audience/peers

Criteria for Peer Assessment:
  1. Ability to communicate the objectives and essence of the program succinctly and persuasively.
  2. Ability to prepare a clear, brief and precise executive summary.
  3. Ability to capture and maintain the interest of the panel.
  4. Ability to persuade the panel that the program is a viable program which can achieve its objectives with the resources outlined in the proposal.
  5. Ability to convince the panel that then program is a valuable one which can contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.
  6. Ability to persuade the panel that you are knowledgeable about and committed to the goals of sustainable development.
  7. Ability to persuade the panel that you are competent in the area/community you are planning to work in/with.
  8. Ability to effectively address the questions raised by the Panel and audience.
  9. Ability to manage your presentation time effectively.

Assignment 3: Project Proposal / Program Evaluation / Case Study Report (Group of 3)

Length: 5,000 words
Value: 40%
Due: Date needed Monday 8 June, 5pm

This assignment aims to develop your knowledge of a particular Ecotourism program/product and to reflect your ability to consider the contribution or potential of the program/product to sustainable development. This project should be cho sen from one of the three people in your group’s background or interest area (home country) and could be a proposal to develop a Ecotourism business, an evaluation of an existing operator, a marketing plan for a ecotourism product, or a case study of an area/destination that is developing ecotourism.

Your Task:

In this assignment you are required to present a detailed report. This report should be divided into three parts:

  • Part 1 will provide a brief description of the proposal / program evaluation / case study: its location, operation and key elements
  • Part 2 a review of relevant literature to identify key questions that will be used to assess the current and potential contribution of your chosen proposal / program / case study to sustainable development
  • Part 3 should provide a critical assessment of the value and effectiveness of the program to make a contribution to sustainable development.
Criteria for Assessment:
  1. Evidence of wide and critical reading.
  2. ability to identify key issues from the literature relating to sustainable development and ecotourism (part 2)
  3. ability to reflect on the processes involved in the program/product you have selected and how these relate to the principles of sustainable development (part 1 & 2)
  4. ability to use the key issues identified in part 2. to assess the value of the chosen program/product to sustainable development (part 3)
  5. Ability to use evidence and examples to support arguments.
  6. Evidence of critical and reflective thinking.
  7. Evidence of original and creative thought.
  8. Correct citation and adequate acknowledgement of sources.
  9. Clarity of expression and ability to structure assignment.

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How do I Request an Extension?

Everyone is required to complete and submit assessment work by the due date. Extensions will only be granted prior to the due date and with teh support of adequate documention such as a medical certificate, or automatic penalties will apply. Extensions will only be granted in writing at the discretion of the unit convenor.

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Examination Conditions

None.

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Required and Recommended Texts/Materials

Understanding Sustainable Development

Commission on Sustainable Development

IUCN, UNEP, WWF (1991) Caring for the Earth: Enabling Communities to Care for their Own Environment IUCN, Gland [GF41 .C36/1991]

United Nations. (2002). Report of the World Summit for Sustainable Development. Retrieved September, 2002.

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1993) The Earth Summit: the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) London; Graham & Trotman. [HC79.E5 .U445/1993]

United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1993) Agenda 21: Programme of Action for Sustainable Development: Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (UNCED) New York; Untied Nations [HC79.E5 .U444/1992]

World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our Common Future; OUP - The Bruntland Report [HD75.6 .O97/1987]

 

Understanding Ecotourism for Sustainable Development

Boo, E. (1990) Ecotourism: the potentials and pitfalls (2 volumes) Washington DC: World Wildlife Fund. [G156.5.E26 .B66]

Ceballos-Lascurin, H. (1996) Tourism, ecotourism, and protected areas: the state of nature-based tourism around the world and guidelines for its development Gland; Cambridge: IUCN. [G154.9 .C43/1996]

Donohoe, H. M., & Needham, R. D. (2006). Ecotourism: The evolving contemporary definition. Journal of Ecotourism, 5(3), 192-210.

Epler Wood, M (2002) Ecotourism; principles, practices & policies for sustainability
United Nations Environment Program, Paris http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/ecotourism.htm

Fennell, D. (1999) Ecotourism: An Introduction London: Routledge [155.A1 .F372/1999].

Fennell, D. A. (2001). A content analysis of ecotourism definitions. Current Issues in Tourism, 4(5), 403-421.

Fennell, D. and Wearer, D (2005) The Ecotourism Concept and Tourism-Conservation  Symbiosis, Journal of Sustainable Tourism, (13) 4, pp. 373-390

Honey, M. (1999) Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who owns paradise? Washington, D.C: Island Press. [G156.5.E26 .H66/1999].

Lindberg, K. Epler Wood, M. and Engeldrum, D. (eds) (1998) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers North Bennington, Vermont : The Ecotourism Society. [156.5.E26 .E363]

Mendelsohn, R. (1994) The role of ecotourism in sustainable development. Meffe, G. and Caroll, C. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates. [QH75 .M386/1997]

Michael Lück, M. and Kirstges, T. (2003) Global Ecotourism Policies and Case Studies: Perspectives and Case Studies Channel View Publications

McLaren, D. (2000). Rethinking Tourism and Ecotravel: The Paving of Paradise and What You Can Do to Stop It. Bloomfield, Conn. : Kumarian Press [G156.5.E26 .M46 2003].

Newsome, D., Moore, S & Dowling, R. (2002) Natural Area Tourism: ecology, impacts and management Channel View Publ. UK

Patterson, C. (2002). The Business of Ecotourism: The Complete Guide for Nature and Culture-Based Tourism Operations, Rhinelander, Wis.: Explorer's Guide Publishing Second Edition [G156.5.E26 .P37/1997].

UNEP (2002) The World Ecotourism Summit resources.

UNEP Tourism page

UNEP Tourism publications [many are downloadable in PDF)

UNEP Industry and Environment (2000) Environmental Codes of Conduct for Tourism, Paris: UN Publications. [G155.A1 .U55].

Wearing, S. and Wearing, M. (1999) Decommodifying Ecotourism: Rethinking Global-Local Interactions with Host Communities, Loisir et Société, (22)1, Printemps pp. 39-70

Wearing, S and Neil, J. (2009) Ecotourism: Impacts, potentials and possibilities Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann. [G156.5.E26 .W4/1999].

Weaver,D.B. & Lawton, L. (1999) Sustainable Tourism: a critical review Research Report 1. CRC Sustainable Tourism

Weaver, D.B (2008) Ecoutourism 2nd edition Milton Qld: Wiley and Sons [G155.A1 .W43]

Wight, P. A. (2003). Supporting the principles of sustainable development in tourism and ecotourism: Government's potential role. In M. Lück & T. Kirstges (Eds.), Global ecotourism policies and case studies: perspectives and constraints (pp. 50-72). Clevedon, UK: Channel View Publications.

Policy, Planning and Visitor Management

Bramwell, B. (2005). Interventions and policy instruments for sustainable tourism. In W. F. Theobald (Ed.), Global Tourism (3rd ed., pp. 406–425). New York: Elsevier.

Bushell,R. and Griffin.T (2007 ) Monitoring Visitor Experiences in Protected Areas. PARKS Special Edition 25 - 33
http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/pubs/pdfs/PARKS/parks_16_2.pdf

Christ, C. Hillel, O. Matus, S. and Sweeting, J. (2003) Tourism and Biodiversity: Mapping Tourism's Global Footprint, Washington DC: UNEP Conservation International.
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/home.htm
http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/policy/principles.htm

Commonwealth Department of Tourism (1994) National Ecotourism Strategy, Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. [G155.A8 .A777/1994]

Fennell, D. A., & Dowling, R. K. (Eds.). (2003). Ecotourism policy and planning. Oxford, UK: CAB International.

IUCN and WCPA (2003) Outputs of The Congress - The IUCN WCPA World Parks Congress: Tourism Components, World Conservation Union and World Commission on Protected Areas. Available at: http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/wpc2003/english/outputs/tourism.htm#intro [Accessed 12th March 2004].

World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) (2001) 'Agenda 21 for the travel and tourist industry towards environmentally sustainable development' http://www.wttc.org/agenda21.htm

World Wildlife Fund for Nature (1991) A Guide to Designing Effective Proposals Washington DC: WWF US

 

Communities and Ecotourism

Special edition of Current Issues in Tourism (2002) (Global Ecotourism Policies and Case Studies: Perspectives and Constraints) volume 5, issue 3.    

Brown, F. and Hall, D. (2007) Welfare, Ethics and Tourism CABI, Walingford.

Butcher, J. (2007). Ecotourism, NGO's and development: A critical analysis. London: Routledge.

Christ, C., (1998) Taking Ecotourism to the Next Level, A Look at Private Sector Involvement with Local Communities, In K. Lindberg, M., E. Wood and D. Engeldrum (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society, 2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]

Drumm, A. (1998) 'New Approaches to Community-based Ecotourism Management: Learning from Ecuador In Lindberg, K. Epler Wood, M. and Engeldrum, D. (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society, 2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]

Horwich R. Murray, D. Saqui, E. Lyon, J. and Godfrey, D. (1993) 'Ecotourism and Community development: a view from Belize' in Lindberg K., Epler Wood, M. E. and Engeldrum D. (eds) Ecotourism: a guide for planners and managers', Vermont: N. Bennington: The Ecotourism Society. Vol.2 [G156.5.E26 .E363]

Richards, G. and Hall, D. (2000) Tourism and Sustainable Community Development, London, Routledge, 2000. [G155.A1 .T58937]

Sofield, T. H. B. (2003). Empowerment for sustainable tourism development. Amsterdam: Pergamon.

The Nature Conservancy Ecotourism resources available at http://www.nature.org/aboutus/travel/ecotourism/

Wearing, S. (2004) Examining Best Practice in Volunteer Tourism, in Volunteering as Leisure/Leisure as Volunteering An international Assessment, (eds) Stebbins, R. and Graham, M. CABI Oxfordshire pp. 209-224

Wearing, S. Duim, R. and Hummel, J. (undated) Parters in Nepal: between paradise and plight. (unpublished)

Wearing, S. and Larsen, L. (1996) Assessing and managing the sociocultural impacts of ecotourism:revisting the Senta Elena rainforest project. The Environmentalist 16:117 - 133.

Wearing, S. and McDonald, M. (2002) The development of community-based tourism: rethinking the relationship between intermediaries and rural and isolated area communities. J. Sustainable Tourism 10(2) p. 31 - 45.

 

Conservation and Protected Areas

Bushell, R. & Eagles, P.A (Eds) (2007) Benefits Beyond Boundaries: Tourism & Protected Areas The Vth World Parks Congress, 2003 CABI Press.

Bushell, R. (2005) "Protected Areas and Tourism". In, J.A. McNeely (ed) Friends for Life: New Partnerships in Support of Protected Areas. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. pp141 -154.

Bushell, R. (2003) "Balancing Conservation and Visitation". In , R. Buckley, C. Pickering and D. Weaver Nature-based Tourism, Environment and Land Management CABI Press, Walingford. pp 197 - 208.

Eagles, P. McCool, S. and Haynes, C (2002) Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Planning and Management ICUN Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. UNEP & WTO xv +183pp http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/library/sust_prot_areas.htm

Figgis, P. 1999. Australia's National Parks and Protected Areas: Future Directions. IUCN Occasional Paper Number 8, Australian Committee for IUCN Inc, Sydney.

Foxlee, J. (2007) Key Principles and Directions for Tourism in Protected Areas In Bushell & Eagles Benefits Beyond Boundaries: Tourism & Protected Areas The Vth World Parks Congress, 2003 CABI Press.

Lamoureux K.M. (2002) The relationship of tourism development to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use energy and water resources: A stakeholder framework Theme A Ecotourism policies and planning. http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/stmthm.htm

Lindkvist L. (2002) Tourism and conservation in protected and/or fragile ecosystems - A sustainable business opportunity? Statement to the World Ecotourism Summit, Quebec, Canada (19 - 22 May 2002) Theme A policy and Planning: the sustainable challenge Kenya http://www.uneptie.org/pc/tourism/ecotourism/wes_portfolio/statmnts/stmthm.htm

Nash, J. (2004) Eco-tourism: Encouraging Conservation or Adding to Exploitation? Population Reference Bureau http://www.prb.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Other_articles/April-June_20011/Eco-Tourism__Encouraging_Conservation_or_Adding_to_Exploitation_.htm

Preece, N and van Oosterzee, P. (2000) Two Way Track: Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism: an investigation of linkages, mutual benefits and future opportunities Biodiversity Series, Paper No. 5 Biodiversity Canberra: Department of Environment, Sport and Territories. [G155.A8 .P74]

Woodley, S. (1993) 'Tourism and Sustainable Development in Parks and Protected Areas' In Nelson, J., Butler, R. and Wall, G. (eds) Tourism and Sustainable Development: Monitoring, Planning and Management Waterloo: University of Waterloo pp.83-96. [G155.A1 .T5894/1999]

Worboys, G., Lockwood, M., & De Lacy, T. (2005). Protected area management: Principles and practice (2nd ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

 

Evaluation / Accreditation

CESD Mohonk Agreement of Ecotourism Accreditation. Available at: http://www.ecotourismcesd.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=39

Chester, G. & Crabtree, A., 2002, 'Australia: The Nature and Ecotourism Accreditation Program', in Ecotourism & Certification: Setting Standards in Practice, Edited by Honey, M., Island Press, pp.161-185

Crabtree, A., Hundloe, T., Lee, T., Chester, G. (2002) Green Globe 21 International Ecotourism Standard for Ecotourism Products, Version 1.1 International Ecotourism Conference Cairns October 2002, Ecotourism Australia and CRC for Sustainable Tourism, Green Globe Asia Pacific http://www.ggasiapacific.com.au/news/docs/IES.pdf

Desailly,M. Bushell,R. Simmons,B. Scott, J. Baillie, B. & Sinha, C. (2004) Environmentally and Socially Responsible Practices in the Camping and Caravan Industry: a case study from Australia Tourism & Recreation Research 29(3): 39 - 50.

Font, X., & Wood, M. E. (2007). Sustainable tourism certification marketing and its contribution to SME market access. In R. Black & A. Crabtree (Eds.), Quality assurance and certification in ecotourism (pp. 147-163). Wallingford: CABI.

Honey, M. (2002) Ecotourism and Certification Island Press, Washington

Honey, M. (2007). The role of certification and accreditation in ensuring tourism contributes to conservation. Wallingford UK: CAB International.

Medina., L.K. (2005) Ecotourism and Certification: Confronting the Principles and Pragmatics of Socially Responsible Tourism, Journal of Sustainable Tourism (13) 3, pp 281-295

Wearing, S., Cynn, S., Ponting, J., & McDonald, M. (2002). Converting environmental concern into ecotourism purchases: A qualitative evaluation of international backpackers in Australia. Journal of Ecotourism, 1(2-3), 133-148.

World Tourism Organisation (2003) WTO Asia-Pacific Conference On Sustainability Certification Of Tourism Activities: Final Report, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 11-13 December 2003 Available at: www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/doc/cert-malaysia/finalrep.htm [Accessed 15th March 2004].

 

Useful Websites

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Plagiarism

The University defines plagiarism in its rules: "Plagiarism involves using the work of another person and presenting it as one's own." Plagiarism is a serious breach of the University's rules and carries significant penalties. You must read the University's practices and procedures on plagiarism. These can be found in the Handbook of Postgraduate Studies or on the web at: http://www.student.mq.edu.au/plagiarism/

The policies and procedures explain what plagiarism is, how to avoid it, the procedures that will be taken in cases of suspected plagiarism, and the penalties if you are found guilty. Penalties may include a deduction of marks, failure in the unit, and / or referral to the University Discipline Committee.

The GSE recommends that students familiarise themselves with the information contained on the Georgetown University Honor Council website which discusses plagiarism in an easy to understand and comprehensive manner.

All assignments will be screened with Turnitin anti-plagiarism software

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University Policy on Grading

Academic Senate has a set of guidelines on the distribution of grades across the range from Fail to High Distinction. Your final result will include one of these grades plus a standardised numerical grade (SNG).

On occasion your raw mark for a unit (i.e., the total of your marks for each assessment item) may not be the same as the SNG which you receive. Under the Senate guidelines, results may be scaled to ensure that there is a degree of comparability across the university, so that units with the same past performances of their students should achieve similar results.

It is important that you realise that the policy does not require that a minimum number of students are to be failed in any unit. In fact it does something like the opposite, in requiring examiners to explain their actions if more than 20% of students fail in a unit.

The process of scaling does not change the order of marks among students. A student who receives a higher raw mark than another will also receive a higher final scaled mark.

For an explanation of the policy see:
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/Guidelines2003.doc or
http://senate.mq.edu.au/rules/detailedguidelines.doc

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Special Consideration Policy

The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability.

The Special Consideration Policy is instituted to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level.

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Student Support Services

Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at http://www.student.mq.edu.au.

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Advice for Students with Disabilities/Health Conditions

The Equity Support Unit (ESU) provides support and assistance to students with a disability / health condition in aiming to ensure that they do not experience disadvantage in reaching their academic potential. Service provision is determined on a case-by-case basis following an assessment of a student's needs and the provision of supporting documentation. Service provision is also dependent on the availability of resources.

To register with ESU, download an Advice of Disability / Health Condition form from http://www.reg.mq.edu.au/academic-index.html. This form must be completed annually, irrespective of whether a disability / health condition is temporary, long-term or permanent. Students wishing to request support services from the ESU should make an appointment to see a Disability Advisor immediately after enrolling at Macquarie University.

Phone: (02) 9850 6494/7497
Fax: (02) 9850 6063
TTY: (02) 9850 6493
Email: equity@mq.edu.au
In person: Level 2, Lincoln Building (C8A), Macquarie University
Website: http://www.sss.mq.edu.au/equity

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