Hospitality Industry Studies Major and the 10 Goals of Undergraduate Education

The Major in Hospitality Industry Studies supports the 10 goals of undergraduate education in the following ways:

Goal #1 is to “attain effective skills in oral and written communication, quantitative reasoning, and the use of information technology.” The major in Hospitality Industry Studies aligns with Goal #1 by having students analyze complex qualitative and quantitative data to develop feasibility reports, marketing campaigns, financial worksheets, job descriptions and related exercises in real world settings using contemporary business-automation software and tools.

Goal #2 is to “Learn to think critically to solve problems.” Students will apply fundamental business skills in hospitality settings that require research, compilation, synthesis and solve real world problems. In the project-based capstone course called Hospitality Feasibility Studies, assigned to conduct market research of a secondary U.S. city that will enable them to identify a proposed location, select a franchised lodging product, and compile a forecasted statement of revenues and expenses that indicates that the commercial project is feasible in that local marketplace.

Goal #3 is to “be able to work and learn both independently and collaboratively.” Several courses in the major require independent and collaborative team-based work. In the capstone course, students will work in groups of 3 to prepare, submit, and orally present a feasibility proposal to commercial investment professionals.

Goal #4 is to “engage questions of ethics and recognize responsibilities to self, community, and society at large.” Two key requirements of the major are a 3 credit hour Business Ethics course (BUAD 424) as well as 100 hours of community service prior to graduation.

Goal #5 is to “understand the diverse ways of thinking that underlie the search for knowledge in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences.” The hospitality industry is a complex business sector requiring a broad and diverse mindset to review solutions and solve problems. Across multiple courses, students will be familiarized with emotional, technical and legal dimensions of knowledge application that is an imperative for success in the hospitality industry.

Goal #6 is to “develop the intellectual curiosity, confidence, and engagement that will lead to lifelong learning.” The hospitality industry is dynamic and fast moving. Understanding this at an analytical level is all the more important and is an imperative for success for its graduates. The Major in Hospitality Industry Studies will engage students with the field’s professional resources such as guest speakers, current industry data, attendance at key conferences such as American Lodging Investments Conference, National Restaurant Association Show and other events to keep students motivated to remain current and emphasize the value of sustainable intellectual curiosity and engagement.

Goal #7 is to “develop the ability to integrate academic knowledge with experiences that extend the boundaries of the classroom.” A key imperative of success in hospitality education is to bring the real world into the classroom. Several courses and activities at the Department of HRIM expose students to talks and events such as the Wise Professor Series, Club Level Conferences and even in-class exercises such as the Google Online Marketing Challenge so as to infuse academic concepts with industry level phenomena.

Goal #8 is to “expand understanding and appreciation of human creativity and diverse forms of aesthetic and intellectual expression.” Across several courses, students will be taught about innovative management practices, innovative hospitality design concepts across a wide swath of product categories and the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for customers.

Goal #9 is to “understand the foundations of United States society including the significance of its cultural diversity.” Appreciation for diversity in the hospitality industry is an imperative both at the workforce and the consumption spheres. Although the major has the required multi-cultural course requirements as per university standards, the importance of cultural diversity is emphasized through effective employment practices and skills as well as the management and creation of hospitality concepts within the culturally evolving context of the United States.

Goal #10 is to “develop an international perspective in order to live and work effectively in an increasingly global society.” The hospitality industry is global for the most part. Most prominent US-based hospitality companies have expanded their international presence wherein some have more outlets at an international level than within the US. Students learn the importance of globalization through in-class exercises and coverage, as well as out of class experiences, such as HRIM driven Study Abroad programs. The department also requires students to read recommended books for incoming freshmen that often underlie the global society within which we live.