module specification

This module will explores contemporary issues being faced by event organisers, stakeholders and policy makers in the UK and across the world. It also aims to give students a more conceptual understanding of events management by considering the nature and role of events within a wider societal context as well as considering some of the fundamental theories and concepts that have influenced the development of events as an area for academic research and emerging themes in the study of events. The overall aim is to equip students with a broader critical understanding of the events management field both from a theoretical and industry perspective. Specifically, the module aims to:

1. Examine some of the key theoretical concepts and contemporary issues facing events and their implications for practice
2. Develop students critical understanding of the role of events in contemporary society.
3. Enable students to critically explore events from a sociological and anthropological perspective and from socio-economic and cultural angles and including acknowledging the influences of urban geography and tourism
4. Empower students to relate theory to practice and become more rounded event professionals.
5. Further develop and enhance students’ analytical and critical abilities and communication skills

The syllabus is regularly reviewed to ensure it reflects the contemporary issues and thinking. Themes include:

1)Stakeholders and events impacts LO1-4
2) Sustainability and ethics LO1-4
3) Strategic use of events LO1-3
4) Event legacy and urban regeneration LO1-4
5) Consumption and experience LO2-3
7) Performance and ritual LO2-3
8) Identity LO2-3
9) Place and representation LO1-4
6) Event technology and social media LO1-4

Learning and teaching on the module is organised in the form of 2-hour lectures and 1-hour seminars every week. Weekly lectures will introduce relevant theories, critical discourses and current issue relevant to events and their management and related industries as appropriate. Alongside these student-centred seminars will explore the lecture topics in greater depth and industry implications of these and will have a more practical and creative emphasis. Class sessions can also be complemented by guest lectures from industry and academic practitioners and field trips to venues and sites in the London area where relevant to the syllabus.

In the latter part of the module there will be further emphasis placed on the students as producers/co-creators of knowledge as peer-to-peer/ learning within the wider class group will inform content of the sessions and activities build around further examining the issues researched, analysed and discussed in the students podcasts for the module assessment. This will support deeper learning through discussions and debates and develop greater awareness and knowledge of the topics as well as provide opportunities for peer feedback on the work produced by their colleagues. Collectively, as a series, the students produced podcasts will constitute a valuable resource on ideas relating to contemporary issues in events for the module (and possibly beyond).

The use of these digital audio format produced by the students will effectively complement the extensive use of online resources both industry ones as well as academic. The module VLE page will be used to deliver webinars where appropriate as well as for the dissemination of module content and information (including relating to assessment) and for the timely provision of written and audio feedback on formative and summative assessments. The use of the asynchronous discussion board will also support the sharing of resources, opinions and ideas among students and tutors which is so central to the learning and teaching strategy in this module.

Students are expected to actively participate in all sessions and to come to sessions prepared, which will entail a certain amount of guided and self-guided independent study for example in terms of reading relevant academic articles and other materials beforehand. Furthermore, given the contemporary basis of the module, students are also advised to keep abreast of main news events each week, and issues of relevance are integrated into seminar discussions. Students are expected to bring their own, developing knowledge of events management to the seminar sessions, to contribute effectively to class activities and discussions.  Extensive reading material and guidance is also provided to help students plan their studies.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Recognise and interpret contemporary issues facing events (LO1).
2. Apply social science and other relevant concepts and theories to the analysis of current issues in events and current event practices (LO2).
3.  Provide detailed critique on the nature of events and the role that events play within society (LO3).
4. Synthesise knowledge of contemporary issues and their complexities and evaluate their effect and implications for events management and the events sector (LO4).

The module assessment strategy comprises two linked, graded components the first of which is designed to provide formative feedback for the development of  the second component.  The assessments provides the students with the opportunity to demonstrate their critical awareness of events as a field of study and industry practice, their in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts and theories encountered through guided and independent study throughout this module and previously on the course and to critically appraise these in relation to the development of best practice in event management and current industry and policy challenges.

The first component is a short (1500) words written outline of the key contemporary issue/s an d review of the key theories that will be used to critically discuss and appraise the contemporary issue  examined in the next assessment. Feedback on these will help students develop their choice of topic and supporting literature to help them build a critical argument underpinned by appropriate academic insights.

Students will then produce individual audio podcasts in which they will discuss and present informed and critical opinions on key self-selected events management contemporary issue/s including analysing key theoretical concepts and synthesising ideas regarding the significance and implications of the issues for events and related field and of events in the broader societal context, increase management effectiveness and successful events outcomes.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/54C906AF-6723-3FC1-D8AE-9A9A1BFE6AAD.html?lang=en-GB