Adventure Studies Menu
Bachelor of Tourism Management
The development of the adventure travel industry is paralleled by a growing need for capable adventure tourism managers. Local, national, and international governments, businesses, organizations, and communities require tourism experts to help develop, direct, and promote adventure experiences in their villages, cities, regions, and countries.
Adventure Studies — as a major, minor or concentration within the Bachelor of Tourism Management degree — equips students for these opportunities by offering courses in the following topics:
- Adventure and sport tourism marketing
- Adventure tourism business management
- Contemporary issues in adventure tourism
- Eco and adventure tourism programming
- Nature-based community development
- Legal liability and risk management
- Policy development and planning
| Concentration 18 credits |
ADVG 4020 Legal Liability and Risk Management for Eco and Adventure Businesses (3,0,0)ADVG 4020 Legal Liability and Risk Management for Eco and Adventure Businesses (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course is the study of risk management and law pertinent to the management and delivery of adventure tourism operations. The course examines legal liability concepts, waivers, case law, risk management practices, insurance and post-incident strategies.
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ADVG 4030 Contemporary Perspectives in the Eco and Adventure Industry (3,0,0)ADVG 4030 Contemporary Perspectives in the Eco and Adventure Industry (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course is the study of contemporary issues pertaining to the management of eco and adventure tourism. Although topics may vary depending upon current issues and trends, it is expected that the course will examine the effect of socio-political changes to tourism, the commodification of eco tourism, adventure racing, sexual exploitation in tourism, and the philosophical implications of search and rescue and technology to the eco and adventure experience.
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ADVG 4040 Programming Experiential Activities (3,0,0)ADVG 4040 Programming Experiential Activities (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students study the design, development, and implementation of experiences for clients of eco and adventure tourism products. Students are involved in programming and delivery of adventure therapy products for youth at risk at a not-for-profit social service agency, consider eco and adventure experience sequencing, design corporate team building exercises, study program customization, and develop risk perception values.
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ADVG 4210 Adventure and Sport Marketing (3,0,0)ADVG 4210 Adventure and Sport Marketing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students focus on the unique marketing attributes of the adventure and sport product. The course offers an advanced and integrative approach to the study of adventure and sports marketing mix and promotion, and centres on marketing planning, identification of preferred media strategies, and the design of targeted marketing products.
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ADVG 4220 The Culture of Adventure (3,0,0)ADVG 4220 The Culture of Adventure (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Adventure activities have a long-standing culture that is important to understand in the context of contemporary use. As adventure activities become socialized within North America, its origins become an important context for its future development. Students explore adventure philosophy, history, literature, art, stories, mythology, values, mentors, evolution, and contemporary applications.
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ADVG 4800 Adventure Capstone Course (3,0,0)ADVG 4800 Adventure Capstone Course (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This capstone course investigates contemporary adventure and sport issues, and aims to prepare students as future leaders in business and community development. Topics include ongoing personal and professional development, navigating through current industry trends, graduate school expectations, and vocational issues. Through readings and class discussions, students formulate a personal written philosophy, articulating their vision and mission as professionals in the field of adventure and sport.
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| Major 24 credits |
| 21 credits of any ADVG 3000- or 4000-level course plus one of |
ADVG 4800 Adventure Capstone Course (3,0,0)ADVG 4800 Adventure Capstone Course (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This capstone course investigates contemporary adventure and sport issues, and aims to prepare students as future leaders in business and community development. Topics include ongoing personal and professional development, navigating through current industry trends, graduate school expectations, and vocational issues. Through readings and class discussions, students formulate a personal written philosophy, articulating their vision and mission as professionals in the field of adventure and sport.
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TMGT 4020 Graduating Seminar (0,3,0)TMGT 4020 Graduating Seminar (0,3,0)Credits: 3 credits Students complete an independent project that integrates knowledge acquired in the BTM and present the project in a professional written document and formal oral presentation.
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| Minor 12 credits |
ADVG 4010 Business Applications for Eco and Adventure Tourism Management (3,0,0)requiredADVG 4010 Business Applications for Eco and Adventure Tourism Management (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course is the study of applied business concepts and practices pertaining to the management and marketing of eco and adventure tourism operations. The course examines tourism strategic management, business start-up considerations, product positioning, tourism opportunity studies, tourism consulting, innovative pricing methods, and product development.
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| 9 credits of any ADVG 3000- or 4000-level course |
Transfer credits
Credits completed from the Adventure Guide Certificate, the Adventure Guide Diploma, and tourism or recreation programs from other post-secondary institutions may be transferred into this degree. Students may study full- or part-time. Adventure Studies are offered as a concentration within the BTM and BIS degrees.
Careers
The unique combination of theory and practice produces competent graduates who quickly apply the skills they gained as students to their careers:
- As consultants to businesses, organizations, communities, and governments
- As research assistants
- As tourism product developers
- As tourism industry professionals
- As adventure tourism entrepreneurs and business managers
Field trip opportunities
As part of their course work, students in the BTM in Adventure Studies can participate in numerous project based learning opportunities. A field school is offered every year to give students hand on experience with an adventure tourism development project.
Lower-level course requirements
Students who are planning on completing the BTM in Adventure Studies may complete their first two year lower-level course requirements in a variety of ways, including:
Completion of general tourism and business courses as lower-level BTM course requirements. This is an efficient path for completing lower-level BTM requirements because students can take 60 credits that may transfer directly into the BTM and meet all upper-level prerequisite requirements. For more information on this path please see the course requirements found at BTM Program Structure.
Completion of the Adventure Guide Diploma as lower-level BTM course requirements. This is a less efficient path for completing lower-level BTM requirements because students may need to take 4-5 additional academic courses to meet BTM requirements. This means that students who complete this path may require an additional semester in order to complete the BTM.
Completion of the Adventure Guide Certificate as lower-level BTM course requirements. All 30 credits taken in the Adventure Guide Certificate transfer directly to the BTM. The additional 21 lower-level credits required for entry to the third year of the BTM can be chosen from any of the three program paths described in #1-3 above.
Completion of transfer credits at other post-secondary institutions. Each year the BTM accepts large numbers of students who transfer from other post-secondary tourism, adventure tourism, and recreation programs around the world. The level of transfer credit given varies widely and students should contact the BTM Program Adviser for information.
