autumn 2019
REI-3011 Tourism theory and the tourist experience - 10 ECTS

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester. Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Type of course

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

Admission requirements

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)


Course content

This introductory course will focus on deep insights into social science perspectives on tourism and the tourist experience. It will consist of seminal and contemporary theoretical approaches, and how earlier conceptualisations informs and are critiqued by more recent understandings. Central consepts will be tourist roles and identities, host-guest encounters and place performances, authenticity and social and cultural change, the tourist gaze and embodiment, and tourism and everyday life.  

Objectives of the course

The students have the following outcomes:

Knowledge The student

  • has in-depth understanding of seminal and contemporary tourism theories from social science perspectives
  • has advanced knowledge of the tourist experience
  • has specialized insight into place performances in tourism

Skills The student

  • can discuss tourism social science theories
  • can critically analyse the tourist experience
  • can discuss tourism as place performances

Competence The student

  • can contribute to critical thinking in relation to theoretical debates on tourism theories from social science perspectives
  • can convey knowledge of tourism theories to academic peers and the public
  • can contribute to new thinking in innovation processes related to the tourist experience and tourism place performances


Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

The lectures will be given in an intensive mode (classes given in blocks) in autumn semester only. The students are expected to work 280 hours. The teaching will consist of eight lectures (3x45 min) which also include student involvement through class room discussions, group and individual tasks. The students, alone or in smaller groups, will give one oral presentation an one feedback on student presentation.

Assessment

Coursework: the following coursework requirements must be completed and approved in order to take the final exam:

  • 1 written individual/group assignment
  • 70% attendance

Assessment and exam: the exam will consist of home exam paper. Lenght requirements: between 2800 words and 3100 words, exclusive of list of references. Style: Times New Roman font size 12, 1.5 line spacing, 3,5 centimetres margins, and page numbers. Written exam must be completed in English.

The exam will be assessed on a A-F grade scale. Grades A-E for passed and F for failed.

A re-sit exam will be arranged for this course.


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  • About the course
  • Campus: Alta |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: REI-3011
  • Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet