70074 - Geography of Tourism (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the principal aspects of tourism as geographical phenomenon for excellence. This argument will be approached with particular reference to its historical evolution, supply and demand, tourist flows, territorial structures and environmental impact. The student is able to recognize the positive and negative impacts of the tourism in different regions of the Earth and to individualize the tourist potential of the 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 gae 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 intimate relationship between tourism and nation state; tourism and (post)modernity; tourism and 'nature/culture'. 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) Dell'Agnese E., Bon Voyage, UTET, 2018

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

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:

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

2) Dell'Agnese E., Bon Voyage, UTET, 2018

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

4) Leed E., La mente del viaggiatore. Il Mulino, 2007.

5) De Botton A., L’arte di viaggiare. Feltrinelli, 2002.

6) Aime M., Papotti P., L’altro e l’altrove. Antropologia, geografia e turismo, Einaudi, 2012.

7) Osborne L., Il turista nudo, Adelphi, 2006.

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 an oral exam.

Attending students 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 textbook and the other readings.

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.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Minca