HTM 491 – HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP AND SELF DEVELOPMENT
Spring 2016
Instructor:
Mark R. Testa, PhD
mtesta@mindspring.com
Office Hours:
PSFA 318
Tuesday 10:00-11:00, 3:00-4:00 & Thursday 10:00-11:00 or by
appointment anytime
COURSE OVERVIEW
________________________________________________________________
Course Description
This course is designed to help hospitality and tourism management students integrate
leadership theory, leader development, and leadership development. It is the
complement to the Kaleidoscope course students take as sophomores. The course
covers the historical evolution of leadership theories while engaging the students in selfreflection. Students will develop the professionalism/authenticity, self - development,
time management/priorities, and spirit of optimism competencies while examining trait
based, behavior based, contingency, transformational, and contemporary leadership
theories. Reflecting on the differences between your leadership perspective in the
Kaleidoscope class vs. your leadership perspective now (sophomore vs. senior) is
central to the course learning. How have I changed and why? will guide self-learning.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Define the major schools of thought in leadership theory

Read and critique trait, behavior, contingency, transformational, and contemporary
leadership theories

Dialogue with hospitality industry executives and peers about leadership practices

Respond to prompts about leadership in an online forum in a way that
communicates the student’s point of view

Reflect on personal values, roles and archetypes in relation to hospitality leadership

Develop and maintain a leadership blog integrating self, theory, and context
1

Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of contemporary communication methods to
convey a personal leadership philosophy – culminating in your online portfolio
Competencies
Business Savvy
People Savvy
Self Savvy
Planning
Strategic Decision Making
Interpersonal Communication
Professionalism
Self Development
Time Mnt/Priorities
REQUIRED RESOURCES
________________________________________________________________
Textbook and Readings
The required text for the course is Good to Great, by Jim Collins. You can purchase it
for less than fifteen dollars at most online sites. Articles related to each leadership
theory will be posted on Blackboard or distributed in class. These articles and the book
will inform our discussions and provide opportunity for students to form their own
connection to leadership theory. A mid-term will assess mastery of the articles/book
content but it is expected that weekly blog assignments will also make reference to the
course content. Occasional quizzes, unscheduled, will assess your preparation of the
content. It is also recommended that you review the HTM Kaleidoscope Competency
Model and definitions document as well as your own Kaleidoscope leadership
development plan.
Blackboard Course Management System
Computer-based learning, using Blackboard, will be a part of the class. All students
should get a Blackboard account and visit the HTM 491 Blackboard course website
every Tuesday before class. Students will obtain weekly announcements, download
course documents, preview course slides, and turn in online assignments here.
Students can view their progress with the online grade book.
Wordpress/Wix and Weebly Platforms
Two types of assignments will be conducted using platforms outside the Blackboard
system. Blogging will be done using WordPress/Wix and the final portfolio will be
prepared in Weebly. Both of these platforms are free, easy to use, and support the
requirements in the assignments. If you are unfamiliar with these platforms, you may
want to do some practicing in advance of the assigned work. Although this is not a
technology course, it is expected that you will spend the time necessary to explore
these, and other, contemporary communication methods.
2
STRUCTURE AND APPROACH
_______________________________________________________
The class is structured to maximize student opportunity to integrate theory with self- savvy.
Course objectives will be accomplished through in-class activities, industry observation and
dialogue, blog posts, a case study, and a mid-term exam. At the conclusion of the course
students compile a portfolio to convey their personal leadership philosophy based on what
they have learned about leadership and self throughout the HTM program. As this class is
about finding and communicating one’s individual voice,
all of the assignments are individually graded. There will
be ample opportunity to join in conversation, though,
Theory
through dialogue and activities in class, on the
Blackboard discussion board, and by interacting with
peer blogs.
Self
Context
Figure 1: Integrated leadership
Hybrid Model of Engagement
As this is the capstone leadership course, it is important to draw upon the contexts and
experiences of each student in a customized way. Therefore, students will engage in a
hybrid of learning platforms. The classroom will be used for group work and guided
discussion. Blogging provides an opportunity to convey reflection that synthesizes the
readings with past and current leadership experiences. And the hospitality and tourism
marketplace offers a laboratory to examine contemporary leadership theories from the
readings and in-class discussions. Refer to the course outline for details about when class is
held on campus vs. online vs. in the field.
Portfolio
Integration
20%
In Class
Activities
20%
Case Study
in the Field
20%
Personal
Blog 20%
Theorty
Midterm
20%
Figure 2 Hybrid Learning
3
GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
_______________________________________________________
Each graded assignment will have an assignment explanation and grading rubric
document posted under the assignments tab. Refer to the accompanying course outline
for due dates. Individual feedback will be provided throughout the course. It is
expected that every student will contribute meaningfully and according to his/her
strengths and desire to stretch/grow as future hospitality leaders.
Blog Assignments
The blog is a way for you to keep an online journal of what you are learning about
leadership and yourself. There will be weekly prompts, and a minimum of two postings
is required each week as indicated in the course outline. Blog prompts, expected
lengths of posts, and a grading rubric will be posted under the assignments tab.
Students will actually blog outside the Blackboard system by using Word Press/Wix.
Other assignments related to the blog will be posted every other week to enhance the
online journaling. These will include things like finding other leadership blogs you are
interested in, finding ways to communicate one’s voice through visuals, and reflecting
on assessments and activities we discuss during class sessions. The instructor will
view your blog sites each week and enter a grade in the grade book in Blackboard. Late
posts will not be graded.
On Campus Class Engagement
Attendance is important on the days we meet live in class as indicated in the course
schedule. The class time is short, so plan to arrive ready to actively engage in that
day’s work. On campus activities will connect the readings with your experiences and
group discussion. Examples of on campus activities might include answering questions
about the assigned readings, making connections between the readings and your work
experiences, and mini group presentations of in-class brainstorms. Your participation in
activities and scores on unscheduled quizzes will be included in the participation points.
Missing more than one class will affect your points for participation, regardless of the
reason. The nature of face-to-face work does not lend itself to making up the on
campus work. This is the capstone leadership course, and students are expected to be
fully prepared and ready to contribute.
Midterm Exam
The midterm exam will assess your understanding of and ability to apply historical
leadership theories to film. The list of films and the midterm requirements will be
distributed two weeks prior to the due date. The midterm is a take-home format that
requires you to distinguish leadership theories and provides scene and character
examples. While I encourage you to watch and talk about the film options, completion
of the midterm template must be your own work.
4
Leadership in the Memories Business Case Study
During our module on contemporary leadership theory, you will visit and learn about
exemplary hospitality organizations and their leaders. The case study assignment utilizes the
San Diego marketplace as a laboratory to link front of the house and back of the house
observations and dialogue. The case study assignment requires you to examine the unique
characteristics about leadership in the memories business. You will develop a case study of
an exemplary hospitality organization from the customer, leadership, and employee
perspectives.
Senior Leadership Portfolio
The final project is an online portfolio that conveys your personal leadership philosophy and
communicates the journey you have taken in the HTM program related to self- development
and leadership. As this is expected to be a very personal type of assignment much effort will
be spent to provide an environment and climate conducive to authentic dialogue. Weebly will
be used to showcase your leadership journey. You can view previous students’ work at
http://relivinghtm.weebly.com
Summary of Course Grading
Assignment
Leadership Blog
Learning Space
Word Press or Wix
Grading
Max 10 Points Per
Total
100 Points
Class Engagement
Classroom
Max 10 Points Per
100 Points
Case Study
In the Field
100 Points
100 Points
Mid Term Exam
Take Home Film
100 Points
100 Points
Leadership Portfolio
Weebly
100 Points
100 Points
Total Course Points
475 -500
450-474
400-450
350-400
Less than 350
500
A
AB
C
Repeat the Course
You might consider this class the bookend to the Kaleidoscope course
most students take during the sophomore year of the degree program.
I encourage you to embrace the unique opportunity to spend time with
yourself, your thoughts, your dreams, your confusion, and your
contribution to the ongoing leadership conversation.
Go ahead and be yourself.
Everyone else is taken.
Figure 3 Kaleidoscope Dimensions
5
OUR SCHOOL CULTURE
_______________________________________________________
The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management prides itself on its
customized approach to student success, innovative and caring faculty, and engagement with
industry and alumni. The beginning of a new semester is a great time to reconnect with what
makes our program special as you consider your own goals and intentions for being a part of
our School.
Ways to Reconnect
Visit the our School’s Website
Read the Student Association Bulletin Boards
Touch Base with the HTM Staff
Make an Advising Appointment
Subscribe to Email Lists and Groups
Visit Faculty Office Hours
Read the Kaleidoscope Competency Descriptions (HTM)
Update Your Kaleidoscope Development Plan (HTM)
Read the Networking Competency Road Map (HTM)
Read the Pathways to Excellence (HTM)
Set Goals for Getting Involved
Envision a Meaningful Semester
Academic Integrity
The faculty and staff demand the highest levels of academic and professional integrity in all
work at San Diego State University and especially in the HTM program. Positive leadership
cannot exist without integrity and your actions determine your level of integrity. Plagiarism,
cheating on exams or any other type of academic dishonesty, will be referred directly to the
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for disciplinary action.
Students with Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class,
it is your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any
delay in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services
as soon as possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that
accommodations based upon disability cannot be provided until you have presented your
instructor with an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is
appreciated.
Remember, Exceeding Expectations is a Habit!
6
COURSE OUTLINE
_______________________________________________________
Week
1
Week
2
Day/Date
Topic
Assignments Due
Learning Space
T
1/26
ONLINE MODULE
Course Introduction
Overview Blog 1 & 2
Kaleidoscope Revisited
Online Module
T
2/2
Blog Assignment # 1
Hard Copy Bring to Class
In Class
L
Week
3
T
2/9
Live Blogging,
Leadership in 3’s
Leadership Tree
Getting Started Blogging
Blog Assignment #2
Site Customized
Good to Great – Ch 1-4
Trait Based Theory Articles
Online by Sunday by
10
Blog Assignment #3
Trait Based Then and Now
Good to Great Connection
Good to Great Chapter 5
Behavior Based Article
Online by Sunday by
10
Blog Assignment #4
Competencies and 360
Good to Great Connection
Good to Great Chapter 6
Online Sunday by 10
Online Sunday by 10
Midterm Overview
Blog Assignment #5
Personal Experience
Mismatch
Transformational Leadership
Article
Good to Great – Finish Book
Blog Assignment #6
Critiques and Seductions
Good to Great Connection
Prepare to Synthesize
Midterm
Prepare Midterm
At Home
Midterm Turn in
Past is Prologue
Hard Copy Of Midterm Due
In Class
Trait Based Theories
Conceptualizing
Leadership Assessment
L
Week
4
T
2/16
Behavior Based Theories
Managerial Grid
Assessment
L
Week
5
T
2/23
Contingency Theories
Introduction to Case
L
Week
6
T
3/1
Transformational
Leadership
L
Week
7
T
3/8
L
Week
8
T
3/15
In Class
In Class
In Class
In Class
Online Sunday by 10
In Class
7
COURSE OUTLINE
_______________________________________________________
Week
9
Day/Date
Topic
Assignments Due
Learning Space
L
Contemporary Theory
Search
Memories Business
Leadership
Search for examples of
more recent theories
Contemporary Articles
At Home
3/29 NO CLASS Spring
Break
Blog Assignment #7
My Contemporary Theory
Thinking About Context
Contemporary
Presentations In Class
From Blog Site
Blog Assignment #8
My Consumer Experience
Case Study Updates
Consumer Experience
Blog Assignment #9
My Case Organization
Hard Copy Case Study Due
Online Sunday by 10
Blog Assignment #10
Blog Wrap Up and Portfolio
Intro
Portfolios Published by 9:00
a.m. – All Groups
Groups 1 and 2
Portfolios Published by 9:00
a.m. – All Groups
Groups 3 and 4
Online Sunday by 10
T
3/22
L
Week
10
T
4/5
Contemporary
Leadership Theory
L
Week
11
T
4/12
Context Connections –
Case Study Fieldwork
L
Week
12
T
4/19
L
Case Study Discussion
Leadership Journey
Week
13
T
4/26
Portfolio Presentations
Week
14
T
5/3
Portfolio Presentations
In Class
In Class
In the Field
Online Sunday by 10
In Class
In the Field
Online Sunday by 10
In Class
HTM Conf Room
HTM Conf Room
8