MA CULTURAL TOURISM

Cultural Tourism is one of the most important and rapidly expanding economic and social phenomena of the contemporary world. To respond to the professional and intellectual challenges this implies for cultural practitioners, heritage site managers, destination managers, political planners, museum curators and academics, the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change at Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, has developed an important and innovative Master's qualification in Cultural Tourism delivered by distance learning.

This MA will be taught by the academic staff of the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change, a global leader in interdisciplinary research and education regarding tourism and different concepts of culture. Through the MA course modules you will study: The structures and dynamics of international tourism and cultural flows; the social practices and performances of tourists; international tourism and cultural heritage policy; the relationships between tourism and concepts of modernity, globalisation and colonialism; tangible and intangible heritages and their management; the role of museums and the ways by which cultures are represented; festivals and cultural events; culture and regeneration; tourism as a vehicle for intercultural dialogue.

Through the Researching Cultural Tourism module, a choice of second semester options and, the opportunity to work on a 'live' case study relating to the cultural tourism sector, you will be able to develop your own interests and skills. By undertaking your dissertation you will be equipped for future leadership roles in the diverse and dynamic field of cultural tourism and/or develop an opportunity to undertake a PhD at the prestigious Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change.

Academic / Alumni Profiles:
Philip Long (Principal Research Fellow)
Dr Philip Long is Principal Research Fellow and Assistant Director at the Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change, Leeds Metropolitan University. He is a board member of the European chapter of the International Festivals and Events Association and a Council of Management member of the Tourism Management Institute, the professional body for destination managers in the UK.

In this module you will develop a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary dynamics of international tourism, its production systems, relevant policy frameworks and operational and social practices. The module will develop your capacity to analyse and synthesise a wide range of international tourism policy and strategy documents, marketing plans and tools and statistical reports from governmental and non-governmental agencies. The dissertation will develop your ability to undertake research that is an original contribution to knowledge through in-depth analysis of a research topic relevant to the MA Cultural Tourism programme. With the support of your supervisor, you will design and conduct a research project, plan and structure a schedule of research, develop a critical understanding of the main literature in your field of study, conduct original research in your chosen field and present your research to a high academic standard appropriate to Masters level. The dissertation may also contribute to your developing a research proposal for PhD and /or assist you in preparing for a research career. This module involves the critical evaluation and application of theoretical perspectives on the ways by which cultural meanings intersect within international tourism. You will study the role of the media in the trans-national and trans-cultural communication of meanings and ideas and evaluate the production, circulation and interpretation of media images and texts relating directly and indirectly to tourism. The module critically reviews media representations of tourist destinations and products and you will also examine the development of new forms of media and their application in tourism. This module develops an awareness of the diverse social and cultural contexts of heritage tourism, and its roles in the present. The module will increase your appreciation of the national and global contexts in which we find different interpretations and uses of heritage. The module also addresses how heritage tourism can be a potential arena for the contestation of cultural values and the formation of identity and discusses ethical questions relating to heritage politics. You will also be equipped to apply your learning to the development of policies and management practices in heritage tourism. This module will give you an understanding of the research needs and major influences affecting the design and execution of a robust investigation related to your field of study. This module involves working on a live case study project in cultural tourism. This will usually involve a period of placement and work-based learning in a cultural tourism organisation. Working with you, the module leader will negotiate an appropriate work programme with a host organisation. The module will support you in acquiring the practical knowledge and skills required to effectively plan and manage a live work-based case study project. It will also assist you in establishing useful contacts within cultural tourism organisations and help in the development of your work related skills. You will develop a critical understanding of cultural policy, applied theories (including cultural planning) and operational models in selected European countries. You will become increasingly aware of how contemporary cultural, economic, political and social change in Europe affects the design and implementation of cultural policies and cultural planning strategies. You will develop your multidisciplinary research and analytical skills, and your abilities in comparative research. You will develop your understanding of key theoretical perspectives of space and place and your ability to apply these to the analysis of sport, leisure, culture, tourism and the arts, simultaneously allowing you to crititically analyse research in this area and evaluate key debates about the control of leisure and cultural spaces. You will critically analyse the nature and operations of tourism in developing countries as well as its use of natural, human and financial resources for development. You will identify best practice in tourism development both in specific cases and more generally through application of relevant concepts and analysis. As a result of this module you will develop a sound knowledge of the processes involved in the inscription of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the issues arising at these sites through the development of tourism. You will be aware of the range and roles of stakeholders at sites and the policies relevant to their management. You will be able to identify, analyse and implement effective strategies for the sustainable and culturally sensitive management of tourism at World Heritage Sites.

The course is modularised, and progress and achievement are assessed by coursework with related individual or group presentations. Forms of assessment are designed across the course so as to support your achievement of the learning outcomes of the individual modules. A variety of forms of assessment are employed including written assignments of various types and word lengths, reports, essays, research proposals, presentations and dissertation.

Given that students come from a range of international academic and professional backgrounds and bring different experiences of learning, the MA Cultural Tourism offers a variety of teaching and learning methods. These include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, projects, short study visits and fieldwork, case studies. Our approach is to develop you as independent learners; promote a commitment to lifelong learning and encourage and support you as critical reflective practitioners, including developing self-awareness and ethical practice.

All modules, except Researching Cultural Tourism and Dissertation, normally operate on the basis of weekly classes which combine lectures by staff of visiting specialists, with small or whole group sessions. Some timetabled sessions may alternatively require students to undertake directed research tasks or reading. The Dissertation is managed by individual tutorials supplemented by group meetings to discuss shared ideas and issues.

The course team expects students to continue their learning outside timetabled sessions, both individually and where appropriate in groups. There is a progressive level of learning independence through the course, with a substantial degree of initiative and self-reliance involved in the preparation for your Dissertation.

Through the course, you will acquire the learning and skills necessary to move into a range of career opportunities in cultural tourism sectors, heritage management, cultural policy, international development and research. Course applicants include people progressing from undergraduate qualifications in the social sciences and humanities as well as from more applied and inter-disciplinary undergraduate programmes such as tourism management. The course is also designed to meet the career development needs of professionals from organisations and government agencies concerned with the sustainable development of tourism, museums, heritage sites and the cultural sectors.

The course content also takes account of key international policy frameworks which concern the relationships between tourism, heritage, culture and sustainable development. These include the UN Millennium Development Goals (2000); the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (2001); the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972); Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) and; Convention on Cultural Diversity (2005).