HT
HTM 201 Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM)
Mondays/Tuesdays 2:00PM – 3:15PM AL - 101
Rob Spooner
Email: Rob.Spooner@mail.sdsu.edu
School office: 619 594 4964*
Office: PSFA 435
*If you would like to make an appointment please call the school office.
“Hello! Welcome to HTM 201. I’m Rob Spooner, your instructor. I was born and raised in Chicago,
Il. I studied HTM at Southern Illinois University, I have worked in the hospitality and tourism
industry since I was 14 years old. I established my career 18 years ago when I started working for
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. I have had the opportunity to live and work with Hyatt in St. Louis, MO.,
Atlanta, GA., San Antonio, TX., Dallas, TX., and I’ve been here in San Diego for 8 years. I am
passionate about hospitality and tourism and I am excited to introduce you to the fun and
excitement of HTM at SDSU! I look forward to working hard with you to make this class interesting
and meaningful. Please read this syllabus carefully as it outlines what you will need to do to
succeed in this class. Let’s have a great semester!”
Course Description
Welcome to Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management! This class will be an exciting
journey into the world of hospitality and tourism management. You will be introduced to many
sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry including its history, structure, interrelationships,
key issues, careers and resources. This class will bring: a variety of real world stories provided by
guest speakers from the industry; various group projects to exercise your team-work skills
(including the production of a music video); opportunities to embark in a professional career; and
a foundation to the culture of HTM.
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Section Leaders
To help you succeed throughout your HTM 201 journey, your section leaders will be your role
models, motivators and managers. They will be preparing, planning and executing everything
related to HTM 201. Follow their leadership and be inspired and motivated!
Dyllan Park, Email:Dyllan.park@yahoo.com
My name is Dyllan Park and I am currently a graduating senior in the HTM
program. I have been heavily involved in the National Society of Minorities in
Hospitality since my freshman year at SDSU, and have the great privilege of
being elected as this year’s President of our chapter. I’ve had the
opportunity to work for both Marriott and the San Diego Padres throughout
my college experience. Since my freshman year I wanted to be a section
leader and I am very excited to have my last semester back in 201!
Kylie Corwin, Email: kyliecorwin@gmail.com I’m Kylie Corwin, one of your
Section Leaders. I was born and raised in Cave Creek, Arizona and moved
out to San Diego to attend SDSU four years ago. Now a Senior, I will be
graduating in May to move on into the world of hospitality! I am also the
current Treasurer for NSMH and the Hyatt Campus Ambassador so if you
ever have any questions about NSMH or Hyatt please don’t hesitate to ask!
From my first time in HTM 201 as a Freshman I wanted to someday be a
Section Leader, and now I have the opportunity. HTM 201 is the class that
started me on my path in the Hospitality industry and helped me build the
friendships, work relationships, and good business habits that have brought
me to where I am today. Although the class may not always be simple
everything we ask of you is designed to help prepare you for your future in
the HTM program and beyond. I look forward to meeting each and every
one of you and helping out in any way I can!
Harrison Kao, E-mail: Harrison.h.kao@gmail.com
“Welcome to HTM201, this is the beginning of a successful leader. We
promise we will help you to overcome any difficulties you encounter, and
also challenge you to go above and beyond to release your potential. In end
of semester, you will be surprised how much you learned from this class.”
Veronica Andrade Afonso E-mail: Andrade.veronica27@yahoo.com
Welcome to the beginning of an exciting road in the Hospitality industry! I
am excited to be part of this class and I am here to help you answer any of
the questions you might have. This road might seem like a roller coaster at
times, but I promise you that as much as you put in you will get out. Every
moment and experience just builds you up to take on the next bigger
challenge. I am looking forward to meeting all of you and remember that I
am always here to help you, so do not hesitate to reach out.
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HTM Kaleidoscope Competencies
Planning
Professionalism
Strategic Decision-making
Self-Development
Networked
Time Management
Interpersonal Communication
Spirit of Optimism
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this class, you will be able to:
1. Articulate the different sectors of the hospitality and tourism industry, its structure and
interrelationships;
2. Discuss current issues, key concepts and careers involved in the hospitality and tourism
industry;
3. Understand the passion and professionalism required to work in the hospitality and tourism
industry;
4. Operate in groups with peers to meet deadlines and produce consolidated projects; and
5. Determine practical and realistic expectations to succeed in hospitality and tourism
management.
Course Components
1. Scavenger Hunt (Group, 100 Points)
Groups of 5 students will receive a list of items to “find” during the course. This hunt will
encourage you to seek out resources and broaden your exposure to the industry. Lists will be
distributed on January 23rd. Hunts must be completed by February 20th to receive full credit.
The first team to turn in all the listed items will receive a bonus of 10 points and the second
group will receive a bonus of 5 points.
2. Portfolio (Individual, 400 Points)
Throughout the semester, each student will maintain a portfolio of articles and speaker
summaries, business cards, event observations, in-class exercises, website bookmarks, and a
variety of other industry-related resources. Portfolios will be reviewed 3 times during the
semester, and a completed portfolio will be collected at the end of the semester. Check the
session outline for deadlines. The completed portfolio should reflect your individuality
(creativity counts). A detailed list of portfolio requirements is available on Blackboard.
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3. Video Music (Group, 200 points)
Groups of 6 students will create music videos communicating an HTM topic.
Groups will
rewrite the lyrics to an existing song, storyboard their concept, and direct, produce, edit and
showcase their music video. Group members are welcome but not required to perform in the
video. The video music awards ceremony is required in lieu of a final exam. The ceremony will
take place in sMay. Stay tuned for the final date and location. Video project requirements will
be distributed on February 20th.
4. Exam (175 points)
Readings listed on the session outline are to be completed before class. A midterm will
evaluate your comprehension of the readings and guest speakers’ presentations. There will be
no make-up exams. We will go through a mid-term review on TBD and the mid-term exam will
be held on TBD.
5. Getting Involved (50 points)
You will have opportunities throughout the semester to get involved in the hospitality and
tourism industry. Our School has many professionals and alumni who support our students
and program. There will be many opportunities to be involved in job shadows, training
sessions, professional meetings and conferences, and other mentor opportunities throughout
the semester. Students are encouraged to make contacts early, learn about the tremendous
array of opportunities in the field, and engage themselves in practical experiences to
complement what we learn in the classroom. We encourage you to become involved in the HTM
Student Association (HTMSA), National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH), Meetings
and Events Association (MESA), Foodies, or other HTM student led groups. These associations
provide opportunities to network with other students and industry professionals as well as
helping to enhance the HTM program on campus. Part of your evaluation will be based on your
participation in these leadership opportunities. Your section leaders will discuss the evaluation
for this portion of your grade.
6. Participation/Attendance (75 points)
Missing class is likely to affect both your exam and portfolio scores. Attendance will be
recorded each session and will impact the attendance portion of your evaluation. You are
encouraged to exchange contact numbers with other students to obtain information about
missed classes.
When possible, course presentations and materials will be posted on the
Blackboard site. In addition, a section leader will post a discussion question on Blackboard
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every week. Please participate by tagging opinions and ideas to the question to increase your
participation points.
Grading
Evaluation
Points
Portfolio
400
Scavenger Hunt
100
Music Video
200
Exam
175
Getting Involved
50
Participation
75
Total Course Points
1000
*Your final semester grade will be calculated according to the table below.
Grade
Percentage
Final Mark
A
93 and above
A-
90-92.9
900-929
B+
87-89.9
870-899
B
83-86.9
830-869
B-
80-82.9
800-829
C+
77-79.9
770-799
C
73-76.9
730-769
C-
70-72.9
700-729
D+
65-69.9
650-699
D
60-64.9
600-649
F
59.9 and below
930 and above
599 and below
Learning Environment
The hospitality and tourism industry offers variety, and so will this course. You will be exposed to
many guest speakers from the industry, discussions of HTM topics, group exercises and projects,
case studies, industry panels, and HTM faculty. Although your section leaders will guide you
through the course, you are ultimately responsible for the course material covered in class. You
will be assigned a section leader during the first week who will keep you up to date with each
week’s activities.
Resources
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The Pathways to Excellence will be an on-going theme throughout the semester. Read the
document available on Blackboard and be mindful of the expectations of an HTM student. On the
Brink, by Norman Brinker, is OPTIONAL. Additional articles and research materials will be
distributed throughout the course via Blackboard. All students should get a Blackboard account
and visit the HTM 201 course site at the very least before each Sunday and Tuesday night before
class. In addition, keep up to date with the course session outline as the readings will be updated
every week.
Logistics
Several of our class sessions will showcase industry speakers. During these sessions, as indicated
in the session outline, we will meet in COM 207. There will be a dress code on these days as
indicated. Students not conforming to the dress code will be asked to leave and receive no credit
for that session. In addition, you must be on time for class. This means being seated and ready to
experience each session by 1:55PM. The hospitality and tourism business is one that often
requires strict, corporate attire, so these “A” dress day sessions are good opportunities to mirror
the practices of industry. During guest speakers’ lectures put away your laptops and tablets and
turn off your cell phones. This is a way of showing respect for hospitality and tourism industry
representatives.
Late Assignment Policy
Hand in your assignments to your section leaders at the beginning of the class. Late assignments
will incur a 5% deduction per day (including weekends) in overall grade for that particular
assignment. Email attachments will not be accepted.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
If you need accommodation for disabilities contact me privately, within the first two weeks of the
semester, to discuss specific accommodations for which you have received authorization. If you
have accommodation please do contact Student Disability Services at 619 594 6473 (Calpulli
Center, Suite 3101) in the first instance.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is simply the use of others’ words and/or ideas without clearly acknowledging their
source. As students, you are learning about other people’s ideas in your course texts, your
instructors’ lectures, in-class discussions, and when doing your own work. When you incorporate
those words and ideas into your own work, it is of the utmost importance that you give credit
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where it is due. Plagiarism, is considered academic dishonesty and will be reported to SDSU’s
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
To avoid plagiarism, you must give the original author credit whenever you use another person’s
ideas, opinions, drawings, or theories as well as any facts or any other pieces of information that
are not common knowledge. Additionally quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written
words; or a close paraphrasing of another person’s spoken or written words must also be
referenced. Accurately citing all sources and putting direct quotations – of even a few key words –
in quotation marks are required. For further information on plagiarism and the policies regarding
academic dishonesty go to the Course Catalog section on Standards for Student Conduct (41310).
This
and
other
information
regarding
student
conduct
can
also
be
accessed
at
http://coursecat.sdsu.edu/catalog/UP.pdf.
HTM student advising notes
For students who are continuing their journey with the HTM program are required to hold
mandatory advising every semester. While in lower division, you will meet with one of our student
advisors. Once you are signed into upper division, you will need to make an appointment to see
Christina Jeffries every semester. Please call the school office at 619-594-4964 to schedule an
advising appointment.
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