SOCIOLOGY OF TOURISM

Sociology of Tourism provides an advanced understanding of the social dimensions of tourism. It complements the managerial, economic and sustainability-oriented perspective of the Master's Degree in Tourism Management and Sustainability. The course equips students with theoretical and analytical tools to understand the relationships between tourism, society, host communities and sustainable development, preparing future professionals to design, manage and evaluate responsible tourism policies and strategies in both local and global contexts.

Upon completion of the course, the master's graduate will have acquired advanced knowledge of the global dynamics of tourism activities and will be able to analyze the environmental and social criticalities of various territorial tourism systems. They will be able to apply this knowledge to promote alternative and sustainable tourism practices, designing and managing actions to enhance resources and cultural heritage while respecting the environment and local communities.

No specific prerequisites are required. Basic knowledge of tourism management, economic geography and sustainable development is recommended.

The course explores the relationship between tourism, tourists and contemporary society, and is divided into two complementary parts.

The first part, of a theoretical-conceptual nature, introduces the fundamental sociological tools for the analysis of the tourism phenomenon: from the main currents of social theory (functionalism, theory of social action, structuralism) to their application to the study of tourism; the evolution of tourist flows in relation to the processes of modernization, postmodernity and globalization; the analysis of the motivations, roles and behavioral types of tourists; the impact of the digital revolution on the contemporary tourist experience.

The second part, of an applicative and experiential nature, shifts the focus to the concrete dynamics of the tourist encounter: the relationship between tourists and host communities, the theories of social exchange and the development models of destinations, the socio-cultural consequences of tourism and the strategies for managing the impacts on local communities. This part is enriched by two interventions by external experts who offer an applied and current perspective: a seminar on the social and cultural consequences of overtourism in Kyoto (Prof. Junji Tsuchiya, Waseda University) and a seminar on mass organized tourism from a managerial-industrial point of view (Dr. Francesca Rizzarello, global tour operator), which allow to compare the theoretical models with real case studies and with the perspective of operators in the sector.

In the final part of the programme - the last two lessons - interactive workshops will be held in the classroom to deepen the topics covered in class, through group work.
• Objective of the Laboratory: To apply the sociological models learned in class to real-world scenarios.
• Participation in the Laboratory: The laboratories are strongly recommended for all students. The practical activities carried out in the classroom will have a formative and self-assessment value in preparation for the exam. The group work will be evaluated in thirtieths and contributes to the final evaluation together with the individual written test. The score remains valid for all 2026/2027 exam sessions. Students unable to participate in the group work in the classroom can complete the in-depth activity individually and write a report according to the instructions provided at the start of the course.

Sharpley, R. (2018, 5th Edition). Tourism, Tourists and Society. Routledge. ISBN 9781138629493.
Chapters: 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 12.

Additional reading materials, including academic journal articles, international reports and teaching materials provided by the instructor, will be used to explore current issues such as sustainable tourism, overtourism, experiential tourism, digital transformation and the social impacts of tourism.

Learning will be assessed through a final written test consisting of 3 open questions aimed at ascertaining knowledge of theoretical concepts and the ability to apply them to concrete cases. Duration of the final written test: 60 minutes.

The final grade is calculated on the basis of the average in thirtieths of:

• Evaluation of the individual written test - lasting 60 minutes, consisting of 3 open questions - focused on the theoretical reference texts and on the documentation indicated as mandatory in the "Course materials" folder on Moodle.

• Evaluation of the laboratory activity carried out in the last two lessons.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The exam is considered passed with a minimum score of 18/30. Grades between 18 and 23 indicate a sufficient level of knowledge of the essential contents; from 24 to 27 denote good analytical competence and clarity of presentation; grades from 28 to 30 reflect an excellent critical mastery of the sociological subject; honours (30 e lode) are awarded to exams that stand out for particular brilliance, academic rigor, and analitical originality.

Lectures, classroom discussions, case study analysis, seminars with guest speakers, group work, student presentations and the use of academic literature and multimedia teaching materials.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Cities, infrastructure and social capital" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development