ENVS 381: Anthropology and Tourism

Course Description

Tourism is among the world’s largest industries, generating trillions of dollars in annual revenues and employing millions, has a direct impact on our natural environment and resources, and informs cultural identity and meaning for individuals and groups alike. The anthropological examination of tourism seeks to understand the relationships between the industry and other cultural productions, often mitigated by the environment. In this course, we will explore the cultural practices and impacts of tourism in relation to both host and guest communities and travel itself as a part of culture. We will ask questions such as ‘Who are tourists?’ Who are the hosts and guests? What are the motivators or felt needs of the consumer and provider? What are the power structures at play? What role does anthropology play in/for tourism? Etc. We will explore various forms of tourism such as indigenous tourism, spiritual tourism, ecotourism, dark tourism, heritage tourism and more, through various theoretical lenses, giving attention to gender, ethnicity, nationalism, class, as well as environmental and economic impacts. Cross-listed: ANTHRO 381/ENV STDS 381