Second-home tourism and sustainable development, 7.5 credits

Contents

Second-home tourism is one of the most widespread forms of tourism in the world today. This course provides a broad overview of this tourism and its impact on local development from a variety of perspectives.

After defining second-home tourism and exploring the historical roots of the phenomenon, the course will provide an overview of second-home tourism in different international geographical contexts. An important question is whether second homes are a curse or a blessing. This is assessed by discussing the variegated impacts and how they are addressed in planning. In this context second homes are looked upon from a sustainable development perspective, highlighting issues such as climate change and mobility as well. The course investigates the economic impacts of second-home tourism on the local economy and discusses the multiple relationships of second-home owners to local communities. Here, the topic of international second-home ownership is discussed as well. Finally, the course addresses issue of mobile second homes and other emerging topics.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

*Knowledge and understanding*

1. Define second-home tourism in relation to different environments and in a mobility continuum,

2. Understand the interrelationship of second homes and place with regards to economic and social dimensions,

3. Discern how planning and governance manages second-home impacts.

*Competence and skills*

4. Identify second-home tourism related challenges in particular localities,

5. Demonstrate the ability to describe benefits and risks entailed by second-home tourism

6. Ability to follow instructions, participate actively in seminars, and present assignments within given time frames.

*Judgement and approach*

7. Critically assess second-home tourism in relation to sustainable development.

Required Knowledge

General entry requirements

Form of instruction

The curse is an on-line based distance course, and teaching is given in the form of recorded lectures, exercises, and seminars where the student is expected to participate actively. The course is given in English with a reduced speed of 25% over 20 weeks.

Examination modes

The course is examined in the following way:

The examination will consist of a seminar, three quizzes and a case presentation. The grades used are: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). In order to pass the course, all examinations and assignments must be completed and receive a Pass grade. Students may receive the grades A-FX upon request.

It is not possible to appeal a grade received (i.e. to have the grade examined by a higher authority). A student may ask the examiner to reconsider the grading. Any student who has failed two consecutive examinations has the right to have another examiner, unless specific reasons arise (HF Ch.6 §11B). Students are not permitted to retake exams that they have already passed in order to raise their grade.

The initial seminar is mandatory and active participation is graded with Pass (G). The first two quizzes are assessed with Fail (U) or Pass (G) and need to be passed to progress in the course. The third quiz is assessed on a scale 0-30 points, where at least 50 percent of the maximum score is required for the grade Pass (G), and 75 percent for the grade Pass with distinction (VG). The final case presentation is assessed with Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with distinction (VG).

For passing the course a Pass (G) grade is required for the seminar, quizzes and case presentation. For Pass with distinction (VG), both the final quiz and case presentation need to be graded as Pass with distinction (VG). Late submissions cannot receive more than a Pass grade. If additional work is required to be pass an assignment, the revision must be submitted within 10 working days from announcement of credits by the teacher.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student’s needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.
It is not possible to appeal against a received grade, i.e., to get it examined by a higher authority, but a student can always criticize the grading or ask the examiner to reconsider the examination.
Students who have passed an examination cannot redo the examination to receive a higher grade. For students who have not passed an ordinary examination occasion, a new occasion for examination (a resit) is offered according to Umeå University's Grading and examination regulations for first- and second-cycle studies (Regulation FS 1.1.2-553-14). A resit shall be

offered no later than two months after the ordinary examination occasion, but no less than ten working days after the results of the ordinary examination have been announced. For examinations conducted during the months of May and June, the first resit may be offered within three months after the ordinary examination occasion.

A student who on two occasions has failed an examination has the right to have another examiner appointed if there are no specific reasons for not doing so (HF chap. 6, §22). Such a request shall be processed as soon as possible. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of undergraduate studies.
*Academic credit transfer*

A student has the right to apply for a transfer of credits for previous education or activity. Applications regarding transfer of credits are processed by Student Services.

Other regulations

In case a course syllabus is no longer valid or has undergone significant revisions, students are guaranteed at least three examination sessions
(including the regular examination session) according to the course syllabus the student initially was registered on, for a maximum of two years.