Festival and event tourism

This course is mandatory for the achievement of a Master of Tourism Studies degree. It is open for other students with a Bachlor's degree.

This course provides theoretical perspectives on festival and event tourism, across cultural, economic and geographical boundaries. It focuses on knowledge about positions and possibilities connected to festival and event tourism. Particular attention will be given to culture, identity and communication of a destination. This course provides theoretical understandings of the cultural, political and ethical issues related to local and international events.

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), or an equivalent qualification, with a minimum of 80 ECTS within tourism, out-door recreation, event studies, marketing and communication, social sciences, humanities or education.

International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equicalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand: An average grade C is a minimum requirement.

International applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in countries other than the above mentioned region/countries: An average grade B is a minimum requirement in addition to fulfilling formal admission requirements for Master's level entry.

Non-EU applicants need to have a Higher Education Entrance Qualification from their home countries and certified fulfilment of English language requirements.

Application code: 9731 (nordic applicants)

Students should obtain the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge: the student should have

• an in-depth knowledge of festival and event studies, and their relations to cultural and social changes
• an in-depth knowledge of how festivals and events implicate on sustainable and responsible tourism development
• an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of festivals and events through perspectives and engagement with the practice field
• an in-depth knowledge on innovation processes in festival and event tourism

Skills: the student should be able to

• analyze and relate critically to festival and event tourism research, its theoretical positions and challenges
• apply existing festival and event tourism theories in an independent work
• identify and analyze the complexities of festivals and events

Competence: the student should be able to

• reflect critically on the significance of the festival and event tourism industry and stakeholders
• contribute to analytic understandings of relations between festivals and events and tourism
• critically reflect on festival and event tourism experiences, and contribute to new knowledge and innovations

Lectures will be given in an intensive mode (classes given in blocks) in spring semester only. Students are expected to work 280 hours.

Teaching will consist of eight lectures (3x45 min), which also include student presentations, and group work. Studentswill be required to discuss literature, give oral presentations, and partake in discussions. The course assignment/exam will be part of a process writing approach within which students will comment on their student peers' written work.

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the quality systems of UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

Language of instruction and examination

More info about the coursework requirements

Portfolio of home assignments (OBL1)

Attendance in the lectures (OBL2)

Re-sit examination