Course Description

HFT 6299 – Case Studies in Hospitality Management uses case studies to analyze and integrate the various disciplin

Course Methodology
Hospitality industry cases are used as the vehicle by which a degree of reality is brought into the classroom; cases w
The case method permits expression of ideas. While there are often multiple “right” answers to most business situa

“In a study of more than 2,300 undergraduates at two dozen universities, it was concluded that 45 percent of stude

Course Objectives
At the end of this course students will be able to perform each of the following activities with an accuracy of 73 per

1. Critically review written case studies and provide feasible action recommendations. 
2. Apply a structured problem-solving process to real business situations in the hospitality industry. 
3. Assess industry profitability and overall company success through the analysis of cases. 
4. Identify which drivers make the greatest contribution to the company’s financial outcomes and overall success.
5. Summarize the steps performed in the analysis of a given case in the form of a presentation to a group of peers. 
6. Demonstrate the ability to provide analysis and recommendations in the form of a written case report.

Learning Outcomes
1. Students develop competencies in critical thinking and practical action. 
2. Students can effectively lead a group of peers in the analysis of a case. 
3. Students are able to write a professional quality case report.
4. Students develop a realization and awareness that there are multiple “right” and “wrong” answers to business ca

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Policies
Please review the policies page as it contains essential information regarding guidelines relevant to all courses at FI

Technical Requirements & Skills

One of the greatest barriers to taking an online course is a lack of basic computer literacy. By computer literacy we

For detailed information about the technical requirements, please click here.

Accessibility And Accommodation

For detailed information about the specific limitations with the technologies used in this course, please click here.

For more information about Blackboard's Accessibility Commitment, click here.

For additional assistance please contact our Disability Resource Center.

Course Prerequisites
For more information about prerequisites, click here.
Textbook
Textbook cover
The Hospitality Management Case Manual: Developing Competencies in Critical Thinking and Practical Action
Lundberg, Craig C., Young, Cheri A.
Prentice Hall, 2009

ISBN 10: 0131120891

ISBN 13: 9780131120891

Click here to buy your textbook online at the FIU Bookstore.

Other Required reading: Supplemental reading assignments and videos may be assigned throughout the semester.

COURSE DETAIL
Course Communication
Communication in this course will take place via Email.

The Email feature is an external communication tool that allows users to send emails to users enrolled within the c

Students may contact instructor during office hours via phone call, or at any time via email. Email is the best metho

For more information on professional writing and technical communication click here.

Class Participation and Discussion

Active, quality class participation is required. Participation will be evaluated based on the quality and quantity of st

The following rubric provides a guideline for what discussion/participation contributions would be considered qual

Full points REQUIRE:

Answering the main questions in required discussion areas.
Responding to at least two others in these same discussion areas.
Posting on at least two different days of the week in each required discussion area.
Monitoring your personal posted topic, if appropriate and required.

Keep in mind that forum discussions are public, and care should be taken when determining what to post.

Hint:
By checking the Discussion area often, you will become more engaged in the conversation – have time to ask and a

This is Step One to getting the most from the course content, developing relationships and understanding the proce
Exams
In order to mitigate any issues with your computer and online assessments, it is very important that you take the "P

Assessments in this course are not compatible with mobile devices and should not be taken through a mobile phon

Case Report Presentations

Each student will be assigned to a group at the beginning of the semester. Each group will select one case from the

The presenting group kept the audience’s attention by presenting interesting ideas and avoiding copying directly fr
The presenting group focused on quality versus quantity.
Information was presented in a logical and organized manner.
Information was presented in a manner that the audience could easily understand.
The presenting group led the class through distinct steps of case assessment.
The presenting group used visual aids to supplement their main points. 
The presenting group maintained professional standards for their presentation.
The presentation was submitted on the class website for review no later than Monday of the assigned presentation

Case Report
Each group will write a formal case report based on the assessment presented to the class, and the feedback gaine

Case report contents:

Title page
Executive summary
Table of contents
Issues statement
Analysis
Alternative actions
Recommendations
Implementation plan
Exhibits / Appendices (if applicable)

Make-Up Assignments, Late Assignments, and Bonus Points

Students are expected to do their assignments on the assigned class dates. No late assignments are accepted witho

Grading
Activity
Participation and Discussion
Mid-term Exam
Group Case Presentation
Group Case Report
Total
Points
93 - 100
90 - 92.9
87 - 89.9
83 - 86.9
80 - 82.9
77 - 77.9
73 - 76.9

*Note: If you receive less than 73 points, you will need to re-take the course.

COURSE CALENDAR
Weekly Schedule
Dates
Aug 20-26

Aug 27 - Sept 2
Sept 3 - 9

Sept 10 - 16

Sept 17 - 23
Sept 24 - 30
Oct 1 - 7

Oct. 8 - Nov 25

Oct. 8 -14
Oct. 15 -21
Oct 22 - 28
Oct 29 - Nov 4
Nov 5 -11
Nov 12 -18
Nov 19 - 25
Nov 26 - Dec 2
Dec 3 - Dec 8

Florida International University Online

Copyright © 1998 - 2020. All rights reserved worldwide.
 various disciplines of hospitality management and the visitor industry.  A critical attitude toward all administrative and manag

assroom; cases will be presented in written and/or audio/visual format.  

ost business situations, there are certainly “wrong” answers to every business situation. By exploring the implications of each a

percent of students demonstrated no significant gains in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and written communications du

ccuracy of 73 percent or higher:

overall success.
group of peers. 

ers to business cases.

o all courses at FIU and additional information on the standards for acceptable netiquette important for online courses.

puter literacy we mean being able to manage and organize computer files efficiently, and learning to use your computer's opera

ease click here.

ut the semester. These will be placed on Blackboard.

lled within the course including the instructor and other students. Emails are sent to the students' FIU email on record. The Em

s the best method of contact.

nd quantity of student discussion board postings. A quality discussion contribution consists of thoughtful feedback, versus a sim

considered quality contributions:

PARTIAL OR NO POINTS:
Quality or length of post is too short and/or does not stimulate learning or questions of others
Posted fewer than two days of the week
Did not respond to the posts of other
Did not provide a response to the main discussion topic. 

time to ask and answer questions of your classmates.

tanding the process of discussion dialogue, facilitation and assessment.

at you take the "Practice Quiz" from each computer you will be using to take your graded quizzes and exams. It is your responsi

gh a mobile phone or a tablet. If you need further assistance please contact FIU Online Support Services.

ne case from the textbook to analyze using the method learned in class.  Cases listed in the course schedule of activities and on

opying directly from the textbook.

ned presentation week (this will be done by posting your presentation to the Case Report Presentation discussion board for yo

e feedback gained from classmates and the professor. Case reports must follow the guidelines provided in class. These guidelin

e accepted without a university approved excused absence.  No bonus point opportunities are available in this course.

Points
30
30
20
20
100
Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C

Week Topics to be Covered:

1 Introduction, Syllabus, and Group Assignments

Activities:

1. Review syllabus, and contact instructor via email with any questions.
2. View “Course Introduction” video and participate in the “Introduction” discussion board.
3. Make contact with your group members via "Group #" discussion board.

Learning Objectives:

Become familiar with the course syllabus and design, as well as the peer group you will be learning wi

2 Understanding and Learning from the Case Method

Activities:

1. Read Chapters 1-4.

2. View the “Understanding and Learning from the Case Method” video lecture.
3. Read the “Au Natural Restaurant” Case, page 111.
4. Participate in the “Au Natural Restaurant” case discussion board.

Learning Objectives:

Interpret the use of the case method, and identify how cases may differ.
Interpret what occurs in case discussions and how participating in discussions contributes to manager
Identify typical initial reactions to cases and their implications for analysis.
Identify basic ideas that assist in clearer thinking in case studies.
 Interpret how management can learn from case work.

3 Preparing for Discussion

Activities:

1. Read Chapters 5-8.

2. View the “Preparing Cases for Discussion” video lecture.
3. Read “The Bagel Hockey” Case (pages 111-114).
4. Participate in the “Bagel Hockey Case” discussion board.

Learning Objectives:

Formulate an understanding of the six step semi-structured approach for case preparation.
Identify and apply the six steps of case preparation: familiarity, symptoms, goals, analysis, diagnosis, a

4 Case Preparation - Applied

Project Case Selection DUE

Activities:

1. Read “The Bamboo Garden” Case (pages 114-117).

2. Participate in the “Bamboo Garden” discussion board.
3. Select a case for the analysis group project and report (one per group).
4. Post your group case selection for the analysis project and report onto the “Case Selection” discuss

Learning Objectives:

Apply a semi-structured approach for case preparation to study a case.

Integrate the six steps of case preparation into the evaluation of a case: familiarity, symptoms, goals,
Identify a selected case for group assessment and presentation.

5 Searching for More Information

Activities:

1. Read Chapter 9.
2. View the “Searching for More Information” video lecture.
3. Read the “Marquee: The Business of Nightlife” case study.
4. Participate in the “Marquee: The Business of Nightlife” discussion board.
 Learning Objectives:

Formulate an appreciation for the managerial skills of acquiring more and more relevant information
Identify characteristics of quality and relative information.
Apply information searching skills to an iceberg case.
Identify professional organizations and trade publications that may offer valuable information in your

6 Midterm Exam (Application of Chapters 1-9)

7 Mid-Semester Recap and Presentation Preparation

Activities:

1. Review “The Danbury Hotel” case presentation example.

2. Work with your group on your case assessment and presentation; email instructor with any questio

Learning Objectives:

Apply the semi-structured problem solving process to the case selected for your group project.

14-Aug Group Presentations Begin

Activities:

1. Each group will post their completed case assessment presentations onto the discussion board for t
2. Classmates not presenting that week will view the presentation, and provide feedback to the prese
3. This feedback will be used to strengthen the quality of the final Case Report.

Learning Objectives:

Apply the information learned this semester by preparing a case study of the case you selected for yo
Summarize and discuss case assessment using the six step semi-structured approach by presenting yo

8 Group Analysis Presentation - Group 1

9 Group Analysis Presentation - Group 2
10 Group Analysis Presentation - Group 3
11 Group Analysis Presentation - Group 4
12 Group Analysis Presentation - Group 5
13 Group Analysis Presentation - Group 6
14 Group Analysis Presentation - Group 7
15 Presentation Feedback will be Provided to Each Group

Case Reports
 Activities:

1. Read Chapter 10
2. View the “Case Reports” video lecture.
3. Review “The Danbury Hotel” case report example.
4. Work with your group on your case report; use feedback from classmates and instructor to strength

Learning Objectives:

Identify the organization, sections, and information included in a written case report.
Apply the Case Report process to the case assessment performed by your group.

16 Final Case Reports Due (one submission per group)

Activities:

1. Submit final exam case report via Blackboard on Monday of Week 16.

Learning Objectives:

Apply the information learned this semester by preparing a professional case report of the case study
ward all administrative and management thought is encouraged.

xploring the implications of each alternative action, one can more accurately identify the action recommendation that will resul

g, and written communications during the first two years of college.”   Arum, R. and Roksa, J. (2011). Academically Adrift: Limite

ortant for online courses.

ning to use your computer's operating system and software quickly and easily. Keep in mind that this is not a computer literacy
ents' FIU email on record. The Email tool is located on the left side Course Menu (Blackboard user interface).

thoughtful feedback, versus a simple, superficial remark such as “I agree” or “I like this”. A quality discussion contribution will

ons of others
 zes and exams. It is your responsibility to make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements.

urse schedule of activities and on Blackboard as examples are not available for selection. Groups will present an assessment of

sentation discussion board for your presentation week).

s provided in class. These guidelines are also described in the textbook (pages 107-108). Reports must be submitted on Monday

e available in this course.

tion” discussion board.

peer group you will be learning with and from during the course.

deo lecture.

scussions contributes to managerial learning.

 h for case preparation.
ptoms, goals, analysis, diagnosis, and action planning.

onto the “Case Selection” discussion board (selections are first come, first serve; cases listed in the course schedule are not ava

ase: familiarity, symptoms, goals, analysis, diagnosis, and action planning.

e and more relevant information to study a case.

offer valuable information in your area of interest.

email instructor with any questions.

ted for your group project.

ns onto the discussion board for that week. Presentations must be posted by MONDAY of the presentation week.
nd provide feedback to the presenters. See guidelines for Class Participation and Discussion to receive full credit.

dy of the case you selected for your presentation using the six step method.
ctured approach by presenting your case report presentation to the class and receiving and discussing the evaluations of other
ssmates and instructor to strengthen your report; email instructor with any questions. Note: Reports are due on Monday of We

tten case report.

your group.

onal case report of the case study your group selected and presented using the six-step analysis, combined with the knowledge
n recommendation that will result in a successful resolution of the issues at hand.

2011). Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

hat this is not a computer literacy course; but students enrolled in online courses are expected to have moderate proficiency u
user interface).

uality discussion contribution will explain WHY you agree or WHY you like something. Adequate participation will involve postin
dware requirements.

ups will present an assessment of their selected case using the procedures described in class. Presentations should take the fo

rts must be submitted on Monday of week 16 via Blackboard.

n the course schedule are not available for selection; one post per group).
e presentation week.
o receive full credit.

scussing the evaluations of others.

Reports are due on Monday of Week 16.

sis, combined with the knowledge gained from discussion of your group’s assessment with your classmates.
Chicago Press.

d to have moderate proficiency using a computer. Please go to the "What's Required" page to find out more information on th
te participation will involve posting contributions to every week, AS WELL AS responding to the contributions of other students
 Presentations should take the form of a self-explanatory PowerPoint file that can be posted to the class website. Each membe
ur classmates.
o find out more information on this subject.
he contributions of other students per discussion forum. There will be a discussion forum for each week/topic, as well as discus
to the class website. Each member of the class will provide their evaluation and feedback on presentations via the discussion b
each week/topic, as well as discussion forms for each case report presentation. Discussion contributions MUST be posted befor
presentations via the discussion boards associated with each presentation. Presentations will be evaluated based on the follow
ntributions MUST be posted before Monday of the next week/topic session. You can monitor your credit for each discussion by
be evaluated based on the following criteria:
your credit for each discussion by referring to the Blackboard course “My Grades” area – this is strongly recommended.
is strongly recommended.