15 Jun 2010

MA Cultural Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University

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.

The aim of this new programme is to allow participants to take an informed position in contemporary theoretical debates and applied policy programmes focusing on tourism and its relationships with different concepts and expressions of culture. The course is also designed to equip participants with the knowledge, ideas, and awareness of contemporary policy contexts, together with the research skills and relevant practical applications relating to cultural tourism.

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 means of 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 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.

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.

Course Content
The course provides a high level of theoretical and applied education in Cultural Tourism. You will:

develop a critical insight and understanding of cultural tourism and cultural dimensions of tourism in a range of local, national and international settings;
appreciate theoretical approaches and debates in the analysis of the cultural dimensions of tourism;
develop a range of research and project management skills
develop knowledge and skills relating to careers in cultural tourism policy, planning and component sectors;
develop your research capacity in focusing on the relationships between tourism, culture, heritage and sustainable development;
raise awareness of the social, economic, political and environmental complexities of cultural tourism;

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).

Modules
All semester 1 modules are compulsory. Semester 2 offers you to choose optional modules that respond to your interests and professional aspirations. Optional modules leading to a minimum of 40 credits must be selected from the Optional Modules list. To complete the 60 credits necessary to pass the second semester, another 20 credits will be obtained by choosing a module either from the same Optional Modules list or from the Additional Optional Modules listwith options from across the university. The number of credits attributed to each successfully completed module is proportionate to the number of teaching hours and time needed to prepare exams or dissertations (e.g. a 10 credit module will involve proportionately half the teaching and learning of a 20 credit module). The Semester 3 module (Dissertation) is compulsory.

Semester 1 (60 credits)
- Tourisms and Tourists (20 credits)
- Researching Cultural Tourism (20 credits)
- Cosmopolitanism and Cultures of Mobility (20 credits)

Semester 2 (60 credits)

Optional Modules
- Tourism, Media and Cultural Flows (10 credits)
- Tourism, Festivals and Cultural Events (10 credits)
- Representing and Displaying Culture (20 credits)
- Managing Heritage (20 credits)
- Cultural Tourism Case Study (20 credits)

Additional Optional Modules
- Cultural Policy and Planning (20 credits)
- Creative Organisations (20 credits)
- Eco Tourism (20 credits)
- Tourism in Less Developed Countries (20 credits)
- Northern Tourism (20 credits)

Semester 3 (60 credits)
- Dissertation 20,000 words (60 credits – Core Module)

Teaching and Learning
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.

Assessment
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.

Entry Requirements
Applicants will normally possess a good honours degree (or international equivalent), usually in the Social Sciences or Humanities. Candidates who can demonstrate relevant professional experience that indicates an ability to successfully complete the course will also be considered. In addition, all candidates must have a good command of written and spoken English. Applicants whose first language is not English, with certificated qualifications, professional qualifications and/or appropriate work experiences will be considered. Applicants will have to demonstrate that their standard of English is at IELTS 6.5 or better. Applicants may be required to undertake additional English language courses. The University provides excellent support for such students.

Fees
Overseas Full-Time £8700
Home/EU Full-Time £3400

Applications
Please complete and return the appropriate University application form according to whether you are an overseas or home/EU applicant and return it to Dr Philip Long at p.e.long@leedsmet.ac.uk