Download 4/8 Read: Gmelch: Chapters 20 , 21, 22

ANTH-544: ANTHROPOLOGY OF TOURISM
Sue A. Taylor, Ph.D.
Office: Battelle-Tompkins T31
Phone: 202 885-1830
Office Hours: TH. 2:00-5:00 pm
and by appointment
Email: [email protected]
Spring, 2008
T-TH 5:20-6:35pm
McKinley 204A
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Tourism is an exciting area of study providing an opportunity
to discuss this growing global industry as a complex cultural phenomenon. Consideration of
the impact of tourism on the natural and social environment examines the costs and benefits
to host communities in a variety of locations. Specific topics include the history of travel and
tourism, economics and politics of tourism sites, memorialization, the marketing of identity
and authenticity, sex tourism, and understanding the basic theoretical concepts in studies of
tourism. The course will follow a seminar format with open discussion of readings, guest
lectures from individuals in the field, options for independent visits to local tourist
destinations, and an opportunity for students to engage in a project or library research related
to their own area of interest.
OBJECTIVES: Students will:
1. Have an increased awareness of the complex issues surrounding tourism as a
global industry.
2. A review the historical and cross-cultural experiences of travelers and tourists.
3. Understand the basic concepts and theories of tourism emerging in this multidisciplinary area of study.
4. Gain a better understanding of the relationship between tourist and their hosts.
5. Recognize the trends in marketing tourism which lead to stereotypical imaging and the
production of “authentic” sites and artistic goods which may increase racist ideology,
ethnocentrism, or result in either positive or negative consequences for the host
community.
6. Recognize the ways gender has contributed positively or negatively to the host
communities through employment, sex tourism, and other ways.
7. Critically examine the costs and benefits to tourism for various communities in terms of
economic development and transnational socio-political actions.
8. Understand the political decision-making practices in the creation of memorials,
monuments, and heritage preservation in the U.S. and abroad through the work of
archaeologists and anthropologists.
9. Critically examine trends in ecotourism in terms of the long-range impact of tourism on
the natural environment.
10. Situate the study of tourism as a significant contribution to public anthropology and
career options for students pursuing graduate degrees in anthropology.
REQUIRED TEXTS: Available at the Bookstore. Additional readings will be made
available as handouts or e-reserves.
1. Chambers, Erve (2000) Native Tours: The Anthropology of Travel and Tourism. Long
Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
2. Gmelch, Sharon Bohn (2004) Tourist and Tourism: A Reader. Long Grove, IL: Waveland
Press.
3. Kincaid, Jamaica (1988) A Small Place. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Learning involves a commitment of the teacher and the
students. You reap the benefits of your efforts and mine. My role is to facilitate the process
and enhance this experience. Consequently, the list provides a means of accomplishing the
objectives outlined above. These expectations are subject to modification in case of
unforeseen circumstances, new developments in the field of study, or changing current
events.
1. Attendance and Participation: You are expected to attend class prepared to engage in
discussions. Read the assigned material before class. Class time will be devoted to discussing
the readings, your questions, and comments. Although the course is planned as a seminar, I
will provide additional information, current research, and issues related to tourism.
2. Written Commentaries. Bring to class your written comments, questions, or criticism
based on your response to the readings. These will form the basis of discussions and will be
collected at the end of the class session. At times, I will provide a question or focus in
advance. This exercise will provide a way to find your own voice on tourism. These count as
participation and will not be given a letter grade. However, the following marks will provide
some feedback for your effort: A single check mark means average; check plus (+) refers to
excellent/above average; and, check minus (-) means less than average—needs improvement.
These are limited to 1-2 pages. You should focus on the readings for the week. It is one way
you can contribute to the class and ensure an active discussion.
3. You deserve a break! Be a tourist for a day (or part of a day). Visit a tourist destination
site in the metropolitan DC area (or as part of trip you are planning outside the region).
Prepare a written report about the experience. This can be a group or individual fieldtrip but
each student in a group is responsible for submitting a separate report based on their own
experience and observations. Any of the following sites are acceptable: a monument,
memorial, museum, festival, shop or craft store, nightspot, restaurant, performance, or other
tourist attraction. You might consider taking a ride on one of city bus tours, a trip to Mount
Vernon, Falling Water, Baltimore Harbor, or other sites. Submit a report 3-5 pages in a
pocket folder with space to include brochures, photos, map, or other materials collected. A
guideline will be provided. This can be an visit to a site selected for a more in-depth study, in
response to a question you have about tourism, a guided tour, your task of being a guide to a
visitor to the city, or simply a place you want to explore. This can be done at any time
during the semester. However, the deadline for submitting the report is April 10.
4. A Mid-Term Essay will be scheduled based on your readings, handouts, films, and class
lectures/discussions.
2
5. Fieldwork or Library Project: This is based on a field project of limited scope, a library
research paper, review of the literature, or position paper on an issue related to tourism.
Guidelines for each option will be provided. Suggestions include, the travel industry, issues
related to a museum, memorial, or controversy over the National Mall, ecotourism, a cultural
heritage project, domestic and transnational development projects, festivals, commodification
of culture, ethnic tourism, theme parks or imagined communities, gender and tourism, or
another topic related to tourism. Graduate students with an interest in a specific locale or a
topic where tourism may be a factor can elect a project that will be useful to their future
research. I will provide details and dates for submitting your idea and a brief prospectus for
the proposed project. A final written report is required. Complete citation of resources is
expected (see comments on plagiarism). Library or field experiences must be approved.
I will ask for a tentative topic by the fourth week of classes and the deadline for submitting
your prospectus is March 6
6. Presentation of the final paper/project at the end of the semester. Presentations are
limited to 15 minutes. The format for presentation is optional. If special equipment is
required, this must be reserved in advance.
GRADES: The grade allocation depends on the completion of all requirements.
Participation and commentaries 20%
Tourist For a Day Report
20%
Mid-term Essay Exam
30%
Final Paper & Presentation
30%
Total……………………………100%
An Incomplete “I” grade will be issued only in consultation with the student when the
situation warrants such action. A contractual agreement is required in accordance with
American University Policy.
Evaluation of Written Work: Written work will be evaluated for content, grammar,
spelling, organization, clarity, originality, and creativity. The following criteria are used in
evaluating written work. (Note: plus and minus distinctions are not included here ).
A = Excellent. The student's work shows mastery of the subject, understanding of the
concepts and information and the ability to integrate the information across areas. The work
shows creativity and innovative thinking.
B = Good. The student’s work shows mastery of the subject and understanding of the
concepts and information presented and communicates them in his or her own words. The
work is solid, but not innovative or creative.
C = Satisfactory. The student's work in general shows understanding of basic concepts and
information, but has occasional lapses. The work shows satisfactory but incomplete mastery
of the subject.
D = Poor. The student's work shows enough understanding of the subject to be just barely
adequate. The work shows major gaps in understanding.
F = Unsatisfactory. The student's work is unacceptable.
3
Academic Integrity Code: Academic dishonesty is unacceptable in this class. Allegations
of violations will be handled according to the Academic Integrity Code of American
University This “includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, inappropriate collaboration,
dishonesty in examinations (in-class or take-home), dishonesty in papers, work done for one
course and submitted to another, deliberate falsification of data, interference with other
students’ work, and copyright violations” (Academic Regulation American University
Washington: Office of The Registrar, American University).
Special Needs and Emergencies: You must inform me of any special needs or
circumstances that may affect your ability to complete coursework as assigned. I recognize
different learning styles and abilities and ensure that students with special needs have equal
access to course materials and instruction. Contact the Disability Support Services for further
assistance. In case of an emergency, notify me as soon as practical. Documentation may be
requested.
Other Comments: Cell phones must be turned off or put on vibrate during class. Cell
phones, laptops, I-Pods, CD players or other electronic devices cannot be utilized during inclass examinations. You will not be allowed to leave the room once the exam has started.
Extra time will not be allowed for late comers. Makeup examinations are not given, except in
emergencies. Documentation may be required.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1: Introduction
1/15 Introductions and over-view of the course
1/17 Why Study Tourism?
Read: Gmelch: Chapter 1
Week 2: Tourists and Tourism: Theoretical Orientations
1/22 Read: Chambers: Preface and Chapter 1
Smith, Valene L., ed. (1989) Hosts and Guests: The Anthropology of Tourism. 2nd Ed.
Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Read: Pp. 1-17, 37-51.
1/24 Read: Gmelch: Chapter 2.
Suggested Readings:
Urry, John (1990) The Tourist Gaze: Leisure and Travel in Contemporary Societies.
Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Rojek, Chris and John Urry, eds. (2000, orig. 1997) Touring Transformations of Travel and
Theory. New York: Routledge.
Bring comments and questions to class. These will be used in discussion. Submit the
written commentary for this weeks reading on 1/24.
Week 3: The Tourist Experience
1/29 Read: Gmelch: Chapters 3 and 4.
1/31 Read: Gmelch: Chapter 5 and 6.
4
Week 4: Marketing Culture and Identity
2/5
Read: Gmelch: Chapter 7 and 8
2/7
Read: Gmelch: Chapter 9, 10, and 11
Students will share their own travel experiences in light of the readings. Feel free to bring
souvenirs, photos, postcards, or other objects for “show and tell.” Consider your experience
in light of the meanings the material objects hold for you and for the people who made them.
Comment on marketing. Why do you have a particular object, photo, etc.?
If you have not discussed a topic for a project/paper, I will ask for your intentions at
this time. Nothing is required for submission. Remember all topics must be approved.
Week 5: When Tourist and Locals Meet
2/12 Read: Kincaid: A Small Place
Bring your comments/response to Kincaid’s book. These will be used in class
discussion and submitted at the end of the session.
2/14 Read: Gmelch: Chapters: 12
Week 6: Social Consequences of Tourism
2/19 Read: Gmelch: Chapters: 13, 14 and 15
2/21 Read: Gmelch: Chapters: 16 and 17
Week 7: “Authenticity,” Re-Making Culture and Identity
2/26 Museums, Art, Crafts, and Festivals
Selected hand-outs.
2/28 Mid-term Essay
Week 8: Anthropologists and Archaeologists Working in Cultural Conservation and Heritage
Preservation.
3/4
Conserving Place: Prince William Forest Park 1900-1945
3/6
Read: Selections from Coleman, Simon and Mike Crang, eds. (2002) Tourism:
Between Place and Performance. New York: Berghahn Books.
MARCH 9-16 SPRING BREAK
Week 10: Economics, Politics, and Sex Tourism
3/18 Read: Chambers: Chapter 2
3/20 Read: Gmelch: Chapters 18 and 19
Read: Del Casino, Jr., Vincent and Stephen P, Hanna, eds. (2003) Mapping Identities,
Reading Maps: The Politics of Representation in Bangkok’s Sex Tourism Industry. In
Mapping Tourism. Pp. 161-185. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Week 11: Memory and Memorialization
3/25 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Commemoration and Reconcilliation: Politics and the Use of Public Space
DVD: Maya Lin: A Clear Strong Vision. A Docudrama. 83 min.
5
Suggested Reading: Sturken, Marita. (2007) Tourism and Sacred Ground. In Tourist of
History: Memory, Kitsch, and Consumerism from Oklahoma City to Ground Zero. Pp.165218. Durham: Duke University Press.
3/27 No Class Meeting. Society for Applied Anthropology Meetings in Memphis, TN.
Assignment: Momuments and Memorials (Submit a written commentary on your visit
for credit. This will count as your Tourist Day Report if you like, or extra credit).
(1)Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The World War I
Memorial, the World War II Memorial, The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln
Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, or other monuments and memorials on the National Mall or
other monuments or memorials in the Metropolitan Washington DC area.
(2) The African American Civil War Memorial at Vermont Avenue and U Street at 10th St.
(Vermont Ave. exit at the U Street Metro)
(3) The Holocaust Museum, The Anacostia Museum, and other Smithsonian Institution
Museums.
(4) If you are attending the SFAA meetings, I suggest a tour of the Civil Rights Memorial in
Memphis. If you prefer visit the Elvis Presley Tour of Memphis or visit Graceland or other
attractions in Memphis.
Suggested Reading: Carr, David (2006) A Place Not A Place: Reflection and Possibility
in Museums and Libraries. Lanham: AltaMira Press
Week 12: EcoTourism
4/1
Read: Chambers. Chapter 3.
4/3
Read: Gmelch: Chapter 24
Selected Handouts
Suggested Reading: Gore, Al (2006) An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary
Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It. Emmaus, PA:
Rodale
Week 13: The Tourist Industry and the Impact of Tourism
4/8
Read: Gmelch: Chapters 20 , 21, 22
4/10 Read: Gmelch: Chapters 23, 25
Week 14: Final Thoughts and The Future of Tourism Research in Anthropology
4/15
Read: Gmelch: Chapters 26 and 27
Read: Chambers Chapter 4
4/ 17 Student Presentations
Week 15: 4/22- 24 Student Presentations
Deadline for submitting the final paper is 5:30pmThursday April 24
Week 16: 4/29 Study Day No Class
6