Erica Shonkwiler, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management
Principal Investigator: Erica Shonkwiler, professor, Department of Tourism, Convention and Event Management, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management
Project Title: Undergraduate Experiential Learning Capstone Course Curriculum and Structure Redesign for Increased Class Size: Improving Learner Outcomes and Community Partner Experiences
Funding Level: $5,000
Abstract:
The Department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management (TCEM) within the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management (PETM) offers three progressive courses in event management:
- TCEM E104, Principles of Event Tourism
- TCEM E304, Mechanics of Event Planning
- TCEM E404, Event Production
These courses are required within three departmental undergraduate offerings available to students within the PETM school and IUPUI campus:
- Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management
- Event Management Minor
- Event Management Certificate
This project focuses on reviewing, testing, and redesigning the final course in the track. The course is one of three experiential capstone courses offered within the TCEM programs. For the department and faculty, it also serves as an opportunity for community partner engagement. The existing curriculum structure must be adjusted to accommodate growing enrollment numbers and to ensure continued adherence to industry expectations around entry-level skills. The course is delivered in three sections each fall and spring semester. This proposal outlines how three semesters will be used to test areas of curriculum adjustment. Findings from qualitative and quantitative data collection will be analyzed to arrive at a final course model for spring 2019 implementation. Project analysis will consider how the findings could be utilized in capstone courses of any discipline. This perspective, with the outcome of the project, will be a primary focus of dissemination. While the project is already in process (one of three semesters is complete), the ability to complete crucial final phases of the project are contingent upon new sources of funding.
