Loyola University Chicago

Instructor: Prof.ssa Kathleen M. Adams

Meeting Days: Monday and Wednesday

Meeting Times: 12:20 - 1:35 pm

Course Description:

The Trevi Fountain, the canals of Venice, the Vatican, the leaning tower of Pisa and the towns of Tuscany are all destinations that conjure up powerful images for western travelers.  How do such varied places come to have such allure for us?  How can the study of tourism and tourist practices enhance our understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics that processes that transpire in and beyond these spaces? How are tourist practices related to class, political, national, cultural, gender, and individual identities?  What are the economic, environmental, social, and cultural consequences of tourism for host communities? How are tourism and commoditization entwined? What are the ramifications of tourism for cultural displays and indigenous arts?  Are there global inequalities underlying tourism?  Are eco-tourism and green tourism viable forms of sustainable development?  These are just some of the questions addressed in this seminar.    

Tourism has been one of the fastest growing industries in the world. It is an important dimension of globalization, and has had a profound impact on host communities and their physical environments.  Tourism is also intrinsic to our lifestyles—most of us have been tourists or fantasize about visiting new places.  Over the past decade, tourism has become an increasingly vibrant arena for anthropological and sociological studies.  The course examines some of the key research in the field, drawing from case studies in Italy and the Mediterranean world in order to explore theories concerning the varied dimensions and ramifications of tourism.

Learning Objectives:

You should come away from this seminar with the following:           

• The ability to discuss the key authors and theories in the anthropology of tourism
• The ability to discuss tourism as a part of globalization
• The ability to apply tourism theories to actual case studies in Italy and Southern Europe
• An understanding of the role of tourism in national development and nation-building
• A critical appreciation of the role of tourism in the creation of cultural imagery and cultural stereotypes
• A critical awareness of the subtle messages embedded in touristic materials (tourist arts, performances etc)
• An understanding of the types of ecological transformations resulting from tourism development (and their ramifications for local communities)
• The ability to describe the limits of sustainable development, agritourism and “green tourism”
• Enhanced written and verbal communication skills

Course Structure & Requirements:

This class will run in seminar format.  Generally, I will open the class with a group activity or presentation pertaining to the topic at hand, introducing new material relevant to the theme. Then we will shift to a group discussion of the readings.

You will be graded on the basis of class participation, a 5 page essay and group presentation assignment, 5 quizzes (lowest score dropped), a mid-term and a 10 page research paper. Late assignments will be docked one-half grade per day late, except in documented cases of illness or family emergency.  Please don’t be shy about coming to see me.  I encourage each of you to visit me in my office early in the semester so that I may become better acquainted with you and your interests.  I anticipate that this will also serve as an opportunity to brainstorm about potential term paper projects.  I look forward to getting to know each of you better.

As this course is heavily oriented towards discussion, there will be four unannounced quizzes (to ensure that readings are completed on time and students are prepared for discussion).  Quizzes will cover specific points in the assigned readings for that week.  The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.  Attendance is essential and absences will compromise your grade.

Detailed assignment guidelines will be distributed in class and posted on our class web page. All papers will also be presented orally in class and missing the presentation will entail a grade reduction.

Texts

-Robert C. David and Garry R. Marvin (2004) Venice, The Tourist Maze Berkeley: Univ. of California Press,

-Boissevain, Jeremy (ed) (1996) Coping with Tourists: European Reactions to Mass Tourism Oxford: Bergham Books.

-Electronic readings on Blackboard

Additional Resource

The following web site offers an enormous bibliography on tourism which should be useful when you start working on your term projects:

http://coombs.anu.edu.au/Biblio/biblio_tourism1.html

Grading

Student grades will be based on the following formula:

Midterm Exam:.................................................………………………..20%

Term Paper:......................................................……………………….20%

5 quizzes (5% each), lowest grade dropped:.......……………………..20%

Written analysis of Rome tourist site............…………………………..25%

(above includes in-class presentation = 5% )

Class participation:..........................................…………………………15%

Academic Integrity:  Plagiarism (using work that is not your own without citations of the source) and cheating of any kind will have severe ramifications, as outlined in the Undergraduate Studies Catalog (p. 12-13). Plagiarism will result in failure of the class.  If you cheat on a test or plagiarize someone else’s work, you will also be reported to the dean and this information will be permanently entered into your academic records, as per Loyola University policy.

Students with disabilities who need disability-related testing accommodations are encouraged to notify me.  The University Academic Support Office is also available to assist students.

Blackboard

I will be using Loyola’s course management system known as “Blackboard.”  This system should allow you to easily check grades, review handouts and assignments, chat with other class members and communicate question to me.  This resource promises to be a rich supplement to our class time.  Please log onto blackboard by the end of the first week of classes (http://blackboard.luc.edu ) and familiarize yourself with the layout of the site.  Consult the Blackboard website for more details.

Important Dates: t.b.a.

Class Policy on Cell Phone, Ipods and Other electronic devices:

All cell phones, iPods and other electronic devices MUST be turned off during class. Those who disregard this rule will risk having points deducted from their final grade. I realize it is a nuisance to have to remember to turn off your cell phone or ipod, but these devices can be distracting to others in the class, and to me.  Thank you in advance for adhering to this rule.