70074 - Geography of Tourism (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will become familiar with some of the fundamental aspects of contemporary tourism as a geographical phenomenon, with particular reference to its historical evolution, typologies and differentiated segments, together with its territorial, socio-economic, cultural and environmental impact. Students will therefore be able to critically analyze the positive and negative consequences of tourism in different geographical contexts and to identify the tourism potential of specific cultural and natural landscapes.

Course contents

In the first part, the course will introduce the origins of tourism and modern travel theory. Starting from the Nineteenth Century, we will discuss: the emergence of tourism as a practice and as part of a new European geographical imagination; the relationship between tourism and the development of geography as academic discipline; the travel tradition associated to the colonial time and to the narratives that have contributed to the affirmation of European imperialism. 

The second part of the course will discuss some key tourist spatial models, the relationship between tourism and heritage; and forms of over tourism and tourism platforms. It will also present the biopolitical in tourism and a critical approach to cultural tourism and the related industry.

The last part of the course will be dedicated to specific contemporary research topics related to tourism and its political relevance.

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

For the preparation of their exam, attending students are required to study the materials distributed and discussed in class and the following books:

1) Urry J., Lo sguardo del turista, SEAM, 1995

2) Minca C., Spazi effimeri, Cedam, 1996

Additional readings will be provided during the lectures.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

For the preparation of their exam, non-attending students are required to study the following books:

1) 1) Russo A.P., Salerno G.M. (a cura) Geografie critiche del turismo a Venezia, Angeli, 2026

2) Urry J., Lo sguardo del turista, SEAM, 1995

3) Minca C., Spazi effimeri, Cedam, 1996

4) MacCannell D., Il turista. Una nuova teoria della classe agiata, UTET, 2012

Teaching methods

The course is structured around a series of seminars in which the students are expecting to be involved in an open discussion facilitated by the lecturer. During the first class the lecturer will provide detailed instructions on how the course is organised, on the content, on the readings and on the exam.

Students who intend to take the exam as 'attending students' are expected to attend no less than 80% of the lectures.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of a oral exam based on the course content and the texts included in the reading list

Students who attend at least 75% of the lectures will be asked questions focussed on the materials discussed in class and on the relevant list of readings. Non-attending students will be asked questions focussed on topics and subjects treated in the listed textbooks and the other readings.

Two exams sessions will take place before the end of the year, while the other four will take place between March and September. 

The assessment will consider:

1) the level of knowledge and critical understanding of the content addressed in the questions;

2) the strength of the argument and the capacity to identify links between the main topics discussed in the responses;

3) the use of the appropriate terminology.

The students who receive an insufficient mark are requested to take the exam again.

 

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations, websites, video clips, readings and relevant documents from the media.

Students who require specific support and adjustments to the teaching activities due to disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the dedicated office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible ( https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Minca