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 or minor within the Bachelor of Tourism Management degree — equips students for these opportunities by offering the following options:
| Major 24 credits |
| 21 credits of any ADVG 3000- or 4000-level course |
| Minor 12 credits |
| Required: ADVG 4010 Business Applications for Eco and Adventure Tourism Management & |
| 9 credits of any ADVG 3000- or 4000-level course |
ADVG 3110 Adventure Activities (1,0,4) ADVG 3110 Adventure Activities (1,0,4)Credits: 3 credits This course offers practical exposure to the planning and participation in a selection of adventure sports. Students are introduced to adventure sports by participating in activities such as whitewater kayaking, rock and ice climbing, sea kayaking and skiing; activities may change from year to year. Additional topics are discussed, such as trip preparation, and safety and leadership styles. While most of the group and technical equipment are provided, students are required to provide their own clothing and equipment, and participate in at least one weekend field trip and a number of evening instructional sessions. This course acts as a prerequisite to upper-level ADVG courses for students who may not have completed lower-level activity courses.
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ADVG 3200 Adventure Sport and Tourism (3,0,0) ADVG 3200 Adventure Sport and Tourism (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Adventure sport and adventure tourism are terms used to describe a wide variety of activities - from bungee jumps to commercial ski trips to the South Pole. This course provides a survey of the adventure sport and adventure tourism industry; its philosophical foundations; adventure in contemporary society; the interrelationship of adventure in leisure, recreation, tourism, and extreme sports; and career paths.
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ADVG 4010 Business Applications for Eco and Adventure Tourism Management (3,0,0) ADVG 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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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 4090 Nature and Community Based Development (3,0,0) ADVG 4090 Nature and Community Based Development (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore community-based adventure tourism, including policy, planning, and development. International tourism managers must understand sustainability; community development; how tourism is used to promote conservation; and how to involve local populations in the development decision-making process. While community-based tourism concepts are finding their way into North American tourism, this course concerns itself primarily with issues facing developing countries and lessons that may be brought to North American operations. Topics include tourism and community development; the creation of tourism opportunity and development strategies; the role of consultants and non-governmental organizations; sustainable tourism development; social impact assessment; community tourism assessment; pro-poor tourism development; achieving global competitiveness; community-based tourism for conservation; and the importance of including women in community development. Students examine numerous case studies and applications.
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ADVG 4110 Adventure Field School - International (0,0,6) ADVG 4110 Adventure Field School - International (0,0,6)Credits: 3 credits This course is a three-credit 2-3 week field school to study adventure development, policy, planning and operations in an international setting. Students use this field experience as a basis for the application of theoretical principles learned in the classroom to practical field work. The development and operation of international adventure and nature-based tourism requires extensive first-hand experience in the local area. This course facilitates students' travel to an international region in order to study adventure and nature-based tourism product and business opportunities, and community development.
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ADVG 4130 Adventure Field School - Canada (90F hours) ADVG 4130 Adventure Field School - Canada (90F hours)Credits: 3 credits This is a three-credit, 2-3 week field school to study adventure development, policy, planning, and operations in a Canadian setting. Students use this field experience as a basis for the application of theoretical principles learned in the classroom to practical field work. The development and operation of adventure and nature-based tourism requires extensive first-hand experience in an area. This course facilitates students' travel to a region within Canada in order to study adventure and nature-based tourism product and business opportunities, and community development.
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ADVG 4160 Tour Operations (3,0,0) ADVG 4160 Tour Operations (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore the operation of tours to domestic and international destinations. The complexities, challenges and realities of planning, organizing, and operating tours with clients are discussed.
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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 4250 Adventure Studies Practicum (1,0,9P) ADVG 4250 Adventure Studies Practicum (1,0,9P)Credits: 3 credits This course provides hands-on experience to enhance the student's academic studies. This is a work experience course that enables students to link theory and practice and consists of a work project undertaken for, or in collaboration with, an organization, most typically a business, association or community.
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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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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.
