This course critically examines the range of activities that constitute wildlife tourism and the numerous ways in which tourists and non-human animals intersect. The course examines natural capital - the social, environmental and economic benefits wildlife tourism provides - and the important role of conservation within wildlife-focused and natural heritage tourism. The course will take multi- and interdisciplinary approaches towards the positive and negative impacts of wildlife tourism and will provide students with some of the key skills required to assess the sustainability of wildlife-based tourism through analysis of appropriate case studies.

Two hours per week plus two fieldtrips

None

None

60% Written consultancy report (approx.2,500 words), reporting on a practical issue relating to wildlife tourism, to an NGO or governmental agency. (ILO2, ILO3, ILO4)

40% Set Exercise: Two online summative interactive worksheets, to be completed online - worth 20% each - that are designed to demonstrate knowledge of topics covered in class. (ILO1, ILO3)

The aims of this course are to:

1. Introduce students to the key theoretical positions and tourism practices in relation to environmental responsibility, focusing on wildlife, biodiversity and landscapes.

2. Engage with a wide body of knowledge concerning the interactions between tourists and non-human animals within the tourism industry

3. Understand the positive and negative social, economic and environmental impacts of wildlife tourism

4. Develop practical skills in communication and consultancy report writing

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Evaluate the main concepts, theories and practices within wildlife tourism

2. Analyse the complex relationships and interactions between tourists and non-human animals in local and global contexts

3. Identify and evaluate the social, economic and environmental impacts of wildlife tourism

4. Assimilate, evaluate and communicate key information relating to the sustainability of wildlife tourism from a variety of sources in the form of a consultant's report

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.