DETERMINATION OF ELECTIVE COURSES BY THE METHOD OF ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS AND AN APPLICATION IN TOURISM FACULTIES
Münevver Çicekdagi, Abdullah Karaman
DOI: 10.35666/25662880.2018.4.52
UDC: 338.48:[378.096+06.067](560)
Abstract: It is observed that course programs are divided into two as obligatory and elective courses in faculties. Obligatory courses are the ones, which the students have to take for being able to graduate from their school. Elective courses are the ones, which can be taken according to the choices of the schools or students. Other than obligatory courses, giving the possibility to choose the courses they can take to the students is also appropriate approach for democratic understanding of today. It is accepted that elective courses prepare the students for the life and that they are useful in revealing their interests and abilities. Presenting different alternatives to the students will also help them develop positive attitudes toward school. The aim of this study is to help lecturers make the most proper decisions to the elective courses to be opened in travel and tourism management guidance departments of tourism faculties. Application was made to the lecturers of tourism faculty, and the performance of 5 alternative elective courses to be taught to the undergraduates over 4 years was assessed by using the method of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), one of multi criteria decision making. During analysis of the data, package program called Super Decision was utilized. As a result of analysis made, the priorities of alternative elective courses were identified according to 3 different criteria. Following the studies, the results obtained were shared with the authorized people of the relevant department.
Key words: Elective Courses, Analytical Hierarchy Process, Tourism Faculties