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SAC8011 : Cultural and Heritage Tourism

  • Offered for Year: 2026/27
  • Module Leader(s):  Dr Antonio Gonzalez, Dr Adam Behr, Dr Weizheng Zhang, Dr Katie Markham, Dr Meng Ren, Professor Iain Watson
  • Owning School: Arts & Cultures
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 0
Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10

Aims

Cultural and Heritage Tourism explores how tourism impacts the value of heritage, with a focus on the role of cultural and heritage assets in regional, national and global contexts. Students consider how value is created, expressed, and measured in theory and in practice by looking at examples of cultural activities, events and heritage initiatives, to implement a framework to analyse visitor behaviours and trends, address different audiences and apply quantitative research techniques to assess the impact of cultural tourism. The module also fosters adaptability and openness to opportunities in an evolving, dynamic sector. In short, this module is designed for students who are interested in becoming experts in measuring the value of both tourism and heritage in different contexts and how it impacts the cultural sector.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus is interdisciplinary and prioritizes close engagement with practice. Topics covered on the module may include:

  • Different definitions between being a visitor and a tourist to better understand the value of cultural tourism
  • Different types of value in cultural tourism, and the key concept of mobility
  • How to write for a specific audience
  • Ethical perspectives present in cultural tourism and how to make it sustainable
  • How to collect and analyse data
  • Overview of the most important policy frameworks in the field of cultural tourism
  • Case studies from local and international examples to highlight different skills (data analysis, writing for a specific audience, how to makes sense of value)

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities Lecture 5 2:00 10:00 N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities Lecture 3 1:00 3:00 N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities Small group teaching 6 1:00 6:00 N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities Workshops 1 2:00 2:00 Writing for a specific audience
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities Workshops 1 4:00 4:00 Initial presentations, peer feedback and discussion
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities Fieldwork 1 5:00 5:00 N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities Drop-in/surgery 3 1:00 3:00 N/A
Guided Independent Study Assessment preparation and completion 1 10:00 10:00 Initial research and presentation
Guided Independent Study Assessment preparation and completion 1 20:00 20:00 Research/authoring final report
Guided Independent Study Independent study 1 137:00 137:00 N/A
Total 200  
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide students with the theoretical aspects of the module developing a strong knowledge base in the first part of the module. (K1-K6)

The field trip provides opportunities to relate theory to a tangible local context and will also support community development for the module. In the second part of the module, case studies are used to develop students' ability to relate the policy theory, data and ethics to tangible examples. Small group teaching (seminars) gives students the opportunity to work with theory and practice and articulate principles covered. A workshop on writing for specific audiences is included to support students with the assessment task. Further support is available from drop-in sessions scheduled before both elements of the assessment. (S1-S5)

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report 1 2 A 80 3000 Words - A case study/report on topic selected by students, to a specific audience
Oral Presentation 1 2 M 20 15 mins to a group of peers and module leader. Peer feedback
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The module incorporates two linked assessments, the mid-module presentation (20%) and the final case study/report (80%).

Assessment 1 (20%)
The presentation will be to peers and module leader and will give opportunities for peer feedback and peer learning which students can use alongside the later case study/report to refine their ideas.

Task assessment criteria are as follows:

  • Evidence of a theoretically and analytically rigorous definition of the topic, informed by engagement with and understanding of appropriate primary and secondary research
  • Demonstration of how the chosen research methods facilitate meaningful analysis of tourism and heritage
  • Analysis of research methods in order to make meaningful conclusions about its strengths and weaknesses for value in cultural heritage and tourism
  • Coherence and structure of the presentation and critical analysis, including appropriate academic tone at postgraduate level and effective display of examples and analysis

Assessment 2 (80%)
The case study/report (3000 words) requires students to synthesise/evaluate data, apply ethical perspectives or integrate policy frameworks, on a topic they will select. It should include clearly articulated critical context, research questions, a theoretical framework, a proposed methodology including discussion of the scope and duration of the data gathering and analysis, ethical considerations and a working bibliography.

The task assessment criteria are as follows:

  • Methodological quality of the approach and design of proposed case study/report including how it aligns to the methodologies and the ethical implications of the project
  • Theoretical and research context and framework drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources
  • Effective use of research context and theoretical framework to inform the production of clear case studies
  • Coherence, structure and planning of the case study/report including appropriate academic tone for postgraduate research and clear, correct referencing

Timetable