Høst 2024

REI-3012 Nature and tourism in an era of climate change - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Handelshøgskolen ved UiT

Type of course

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

Course contents

This course focus on nature and tourism in the era of climatic change. In addition it engage in how climate change affects Arctic destinations, and the innovative solutions tourist companies and sites are involved in. The course discusses social, environmental and ethics aspects of nature use in tourism economies. Discussions will concern the range of new concepts and activities that engage in reframing contemporary travelling such as ecotourism, sustainable tourism and responsible tourism.

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. Applicants must have a minimum of 5 ECTS in research methods to fulfil the admission requirements.

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

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.

The average grade is calculated from the entire bachelor´s degree.

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)

Objective of the course

The students have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge: The student

has in-depth knowledge of important themes and theoretical debates concerning sustainable, responsible and eco-tourism
has thorough understanding of entrepreneurship and management in nature tourism
has specialized insights into the realtion between outdoor practices, identities and nature tourism.

Skills: The student

can consider consider sustainability in the experience economy
can analyse case examples based on theoretical perspectives discussed in the course
can assess how climate change affects Arctic destinations
can discuss innovative sustainable solutions for tourist companies and sites
can complete a limited, individual research project in nature tourism under supervision and according to ethical standards

Competence: The student

can convey understanding of sustainable, responsible and eco-tourism
can contribute to innovations in sustainable tourism and the challenge of climate change
hold the ability to critically reflect on the realtions between outdoor practices, identities and nature tourism

Language of instruction

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 thorugh class room discussions, group and individual tasks. The students, alone or in smaller groups, will give on oral presentation and one feedback on student presentation. The course include one excursion to a tourist company or site engaged in nature tourism.

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