Critical Social Inquiry 0185 - Sun, Sand, Sex, Safari and Saving Africa?: The Anthropology of Tourism in Africa

Lions and Maasai, elephants and Bushmen, camels and Tuareg - Africa is seen as the continent of colorful cultures, picturesque people and thatched huts. This course introduces students to some of the key themes and debates in the anthropology of tourism, exploring the commodification of culture and nature in Africa as objects with marketable value. In this class, we ask: What is a tourist? How do hosts feel about tourists? Why do people travel for leisure to Africa? Does tourism help or hinder African development? What does the study of travel and tourism in Africa tell us about the world in which we live? Engaging with ethnographies, our approach will explore the various forms of tourism: safaris, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, dark tourism, slum tourism, roots tourism or pilgrimage, volunteerism and study abroad, romance and sex tourism, medical tourism and touring poverty.

Arts, Design, and Media Culture, Humanities, and Languages Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.