A Sociology Of Travel

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

A lecture addressed to all those who are interested in knowing the invisible world of social rules that guide cross-cultural interaction, the dynamics of the functioning of social groups, and the implementation of social roles. During the meetings, you will also get to know which social roles can be met and are met by a modern traveller, and to what extent their behaviour changes towards cultural and social circles they’ve visited. Have you ever felt like an outsider while travelling outside your culture? Have you felt fear and confusion during the first days in a foreign country? Have you ever bumped into pedestrians in India? Do you know why, in some countries, you cannot touch someone’s head? Is it true that the “V” shape made with fingers really means “victory” in every country? And have you ever felt, after returning home from a camp, colony or individual journey, a feeling of emptiness, apathy, and lack of understanding by others? These are just a few questions that will be considered during lectures and the answers will be learned in the course of these meetings. In addition, we will create discussion on whether or not to travel, what we can gain and what we can irrevocably destroy while travelling. You will also understand how one complex issue is the functioning of the group and how inevitable is an intra-group conflict. Finally, you will get to know about the world of dependence on others, recognizing to what extent we are ‘ourselves’ and to what extent we are ‘a sponge, taking over the behaviours of others’. Getting to know answers to the questions on taboos and rituals, you will discover when it is worth getting a tattoo of a dolphin on your body and what are the consequences that come with having it.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

No require for special knowledge or skills

Syllabus

- weeks 1- 5 Intercultural contact and understanding of other cultures: approaches and theories, social roles during travel, social rituals



- weeks 6 - 7 students’ presentations in the field of cross-cultural interactions.

Reading list

Optional

- Hall E. T 1959 The Silent Language ,

- Hall E. T. 1966 The Hidden Dimension

- Hall E. T. 1976 Beyond culture

- Werner E. 2009 The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World.

- Wearing S., Stevenson D., Young T. 2010 Tourist Culture. Identity, Place and the Traveller

- Spirou C. 2011 Urban Tourist and Urban Change

- Jacobs MD, Hanrahan NW., 2005 The Blackwell Companion to the Sociology of Culture

- Forsyth D. 2010 Group Dynamics