Course Description:
This course explores tourism, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries, from an anthropological perspective. We will examine the meanings and consequences of tourism from both the tourist and toured/host views. Students will be exposed to diverse theories on travel, tourism and the tourist experience. There are many kinds of tourism including: solidarity/humanitarian tourism, sex tourism, historical or heritage tourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, and nature tourism. The course will probe the differences among these various types of tourists and tourist sites, and analyze their impacts. Through the focus on tourism, the course also exposes students to concepts and methods of cultural anthropology which studies cultural variations among contemporary peoples around the world. Using texts, films, and case studies focusing on a variety of non-western cultures, we will analyze the processes of shaping and marketing culture, identity, history and nature for tourist consumption, and the implications of this growing type of global encounter.
Prerequisites: At least one course in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, psychology etc.) is recommended. Upper level college reading and writing skills.
This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Other World Civilization.
Important Note: This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences and Other World Civilization for students who took this course during the period from May 2012 through May 2017. Effective September 2017, this course no longer meets the General Education requirement in Social Sciences.
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