| CODE | GEO5012 | ||||||
| TITLE | Cultural and Geographic Landscapes in Tourism | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Geography | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is divided into a number of parts. First a representation of the landscape through maps, sketches and charts, a number of cartographic images of the Mediterranean and the Maltese Islands are reviewed for their scale, accuracy, shape of the landscape and the overall scope, including the geo-political and historical set-up of the Mediterranean. The concept of fractals is also presented. These are then compared to present-day maps used to identify key sites for tourist information. The second set of lectures deals with assessing the landscape and introducing the concepts of spatial stages of landscape transformation through their physical and the cultural resource base. Using matrices, patches, corridors and edges as exemplars, several human and bio-physical resources are examined for their geo-landscape value and the as cultural imprints that influence their shape and conditions. The third element of this unit concerns field experience with a practical session to a tourist resort to evaluate the main integration of the human and physical geographies that make up the local environment. This includes the historical appendages that condition the evolution of landscape. The fourth element introduces the concept of geomorphosites. Geomorophosites are sites that have a natural physical construct that contribute to geotourism, an important element of cultural tourism. The integration of the geomorphological environment with cultural heritage concludes the series of lectures. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this unit is to encourage students to bridge the links between the physical and human geographies and historical events as represented by the heritage and cultural landscape. Four main trends follow: (a) Reading and interpreting historical maps and contemporary tourist information maps; (b) Measuring the landscape through the identification of changes to the spatial mileau; (c) Examining the contribution of the physical and human geographies described through the as shown by the atmospheric, aqueous, marine, rural and urban environments; (d) Geomorphosites as tourist attractions. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Identify the geographical changes made to the landscape by human action and measure and quantify the landscape value; • Read and describe the human and physical environments through field sessions; • Combine the geographical properties of the landscape to the historical evolution of the environment under investigation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: • Appreciate the value of cultural and natural environments; • Evaluate the contribution of physical and cultural landscapes to the tourism product. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Abulafia, D. (2011) The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean. Allen Lane, London. Cini, C. and Borg, J. (2011) The Maritime History of Malta: the First Millennia. Heritage Malta and Salesians - Don Bosco., Malta. Gutierrez, M. (2012) Geomorphology. CRC Press,Taylor and Francis Group. U.K. Hall, P. (1998) Cities in Civilization: Culture, Innovation, and Urban Order. Phoenix Giant, London. Horden, P. and Purcell, N.( 2000) The Corrupting Sea: a Study of Mediterranean History. Blackwell Publishers, Oxford. Leitao, A.B., Miller, J., Ahern,J and McGarigal, M. (2006) Measuring Landscapes. Island Press, Washington. Pacione, M (2005) Urban Geography: A Global Perspective. Routledge, London. Sheppard, E. and McMaster, R.B. (2004) Scale and Geographic Inquiry: Nature, Society and Method. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. Soldati, M. Buhagiar, M. Cortaza, P. Pasuto, A. and Schembri, J.A. Eds (2008) Integration of the geomorphological environment and cultural heritage for tourism promotion and hazard prevention. Proceedings of the Italo-Maltese Workshop in Geogafia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria, Vol 31 (2), 250pp. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Independent Study | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Ritienne Gauci John A. Schembri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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