ATS2443 · On the road: Travel and representation

Overview

Cultural practices of travel and the ways these are represented in travel writing and related modes of communication form one of the most compelling fields of contemporary critical inquiry. In this unit you will place this contemporary engagement within an historical, theoretical and practical perspective. You will examine travel practices, attitudes and ideologies in a range of texts, including the popular travel book and the tourist guidebook, fiction, film and journalism. We will investigate topics ranging from ancient pilgrimages through imaginary voyages, utopian fantasies, New World traveller's tales and the imperial quest, to the diverse branches of tourism today, including sex tourism and cyber travel.

Areas of study: Literary studies

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. critique the broad field of travel and representation, recognising the diversity of modes and discourses it encompasses;
2. analyse and explain the relationship between travel and ideology, especially in specific historical, political and gendered contexts;
3. appraise contemporary critical and theoretical approaches to travel;
4. discuss the production and consumption of travel writing and film with a critical lens;
5. communicate a clear historical sense of the changing practices of travel and tourism.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.