Cultural and Social Studies of Tourism (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

After completion of the course the student is able to
- use the perspectives of sociology and cultural studies for understanding the cultural, social, socio-ecological and socioeconomic meanings and impacts related to tourism, travelling and other mobilities and hospitalities both locally and globally
- enhance ethical tourism and visitation sustainability for tourism
- use speculative imagination, embodied knowledges, social and cultural theories and responsible tourism planning in enhancing creative tourism, traveling and hospitality
- collaborate during the course in cross-cultural, live and virtual settings.

Execution methods

Multiform teaching and learning in class and online in Teams and Moodle: lectures and contact teaching (17 h); weekly on-line pre-assignments (usually flipped classroom); a field work assignment; a concluding assignment; attendance in and preparation for a closing seminar (115 h). A distant learners’ version is available in summer period.

Accomplishment methods

Active participation on a weekly basis both on-line and in class, on both individual assignment and one group assignment, attendance and performance in the concluding seminar.

Content

- Ethical mobilities
- Sporting bodies
- Hospitality work
- Exploitative tourism
- Multidimensional Tourist Experience
- Measurements of sustainability
- Responsible planning

Materials

The list of readings is given on a weekly basis during the course and is available in Moodle or online. It includes films, research articles, lectures, and texts produced during the course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail: Performance is highly deficient or erroneous. The work may be based on serious misunderstandings.

Sufficient and satisfactory (1-2): Performance is lacking in scope, superficial, or corresponds poorly to the assignment. The author merely lists things out of context or addresses them one-sidedly. The work may contain errors or obscurities.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good and very good (3-4): Performance corresponds to the assignment, manifesting comprehension and a skill to analyse and justify. The author has addressed the issue comprehensively. The work may contain some deficiencies.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): Performance delineates an extensive whole and the author can apply knowledge in a multifaceted way or place it in various contexts. The work manifests independency and insight, and it is a flawless entity that involves justified thinking or critical contemplation. The work is well written and implemented.

Qualifications

Preferably at least two prior years of university studies (in whatever discipline)