240533 SE Armchair Tourism: Travel, Ethnography and Visual Culture (P4) (2018S)

This course provides a historical, theoretical and critical overview of the major debates which relate to armchair tourism: the ‘experiencing’ of foreign cultures without leaving home. Armchair tourism is studied from a variety of perspectives, underpinned by the premise that the development of anthropology, visual culture and the social leisure activity of travel are all integrally related. Ranging from the nineteenth century to the current date, subjects covered include stereoviews, magic lantern slides, panoramas, dioramas, postcards, the flâneur, world fairs, travelling shows, public zoos, circuses and museums, illustrated books, television and souvenirs. Sessions will be conducted through lectures and seminars, supported by screenings and local field trips.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:
1) Identify the key components of the debates that relate to armchair tourism.
2) Contextualise these debates historically, theoretically, and critically.
3) Evaluate developments in the experience of travel through visual culture.
Compare and contrast media across different eras and cultures.