This module explores the principles and concepts of tourism from the perspective of social science theories.  More specifically, the module aims to examine the contribution of social science disciplines to the understanding of tourism.  In doing this, it develops an understanding of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of tourism studies and provides a theoretical and analytical basis for the understanding of the complexities of tourism both as an industry and as a social phenomenon.

Intended Learning Outcomes  

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:  

• understand the operating principles of the tourism industry in the form of an organising framework (K)  
• understand and analyse and critique key tourism social science theories and models (C)  
• be aware of and be able to critically evaluate the contribution to the theoretical background to tourism from the perspective of key social science disciplines, namely of (K, P, T):  

o     Geography  

o     Sociology  

o     Psychology  

o     Economics  

o     Political economy and tourism development  

o     Anthropology  

o     Ethics  

• recognise the practical and policy implications of the key theories and trends (K, C, T)  

·      Tourism as an industry and as a system  

·      Patterns of contemporary tourism  

·      Application of sociological theory to tourism 

·      Application of motivational theories to tourism  

·      Models of tourist typologies  

·      Application of economic theory to tourism  

·      Micro and macro economics of tourism  

·      Tourism and foreign trade  

·      Application of political theory to tourism  

·      Theoretical perspectives on development  

·      Tourism’s role in development  

·      Application of anthropology to tourism  

·      Ethics and tourism  

Expected purchase  

Holden, A (2005) Tourism Studies and the Social Sciences. Abingdon:Routledge 

Recommended  

Boniface B, Cooper C (2005) Worldwide Destinations: The Geography of Travel and Tourism (4^th ed) Oxford : Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann  

Cohen E  (2004) Contemporary Tourism. Diversity and Change. Elsevier Science  

Cooper C, Fletcher J, Gilbert D, Feyall A and Wanhill S  (2005) Tourism Principles and Practice (3rd ed) Harlow: Pearson Education  

Holden A (2000) Environment and Tourism London: Routledge  

Inskeep E (1991) Tourism Planning: An Integrated and sustained development Approach New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold  

McCannell D (1999) The Tourist. A New Theory of the Leisure Class, A New Theory of the Leisure Class. Berkeley: University of California Press  

Ross G F (1998) The Psychology of Tourism  (2nd ed) Hospitalito Press, Elsternwick Victoria  

Smith, V L (ed)  (1989) Hosts and Guests: The Anthropology of Tourism (2nd ed) Philadephia: University of Pennsilvania  

Tribe J (1999) The Economics of Leisure and Tourism, 2nd edition, Oxford : Butterworth Heinemann.  

Urry J (1990), The Tourist Gaze  London : Sage  

Other reading
• Journals (i.e. Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Management, Journal of Travel Research) 

• The Economist, Financial Times, Travel Trade Gazette 

• Statistics and reports (i.e. UNWTO, EU)