XTO-13806 Tourism Geography

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth, or literally 'to describe or write about the Earth'. Modern geography is an all-encompassing discipline that seeks to understand the Earth and all of its human and natural complexities. Geography is divided into two main branches: human geography and physical geography. Geographers study the spatial (and temporal) distribution of phenomena, processes and features. The overall goal of this course is to introduce the basics of geography as understood from human and physical geographers, and to show how interdisciplinary bridges can be formed. In this introduction there are a number of recurrent questions that ultimately all relate to the concepts of space, place, and time:
- what are the characteristics of places, and how can they be understood and explained?;
- what spatial patterns of features and phenomena exist, and how can they be explained?;
- how do notions of place and effects of space change over time?

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- identify the fundamental concepts and principles of human and physical geography;
- gain a critical understanding of the interrelationships between humans and the environment;
- identify and explain how aspects of human life - the economic, the environmental, the political, the social - are tied up with questions of space and place;
- identify and explain how aspects of the physical world (soil, vegetation, water, atmosphere) are essential to understanding temporal dynamics of spatial patterns;
- identify and explain the ways in which aspects of the human world (places and landscapes) are socially and culturally constructed and negotiated;
- explain how changes in spatial patterns of biophysical and socio-economic factors influence tourist flows;
- gain an understanding of the relationship between imaginative geographies on place-imaging and destination branding in tourism;
- describe the spatial differentiation of global tourism flows, tourism destinations and tourism industry operations and the ways in which it has been transformed in recent decades.

Activities:

- lectures;
- assignments;
- workshops;
- excursion.

Examination:

- individual assignment;
- group work and presentation;
- final written exam.

Literature:

Select journal articles available on N@tschool indicated on reading list.
Select chapters from books, websites and other media materials indicated in reading list.