COMM 490 Communication, Culture & Society

Individual Project

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Task

Before visiting another culture, study the host country, and then write a six-page paper about what you will do to communicate as a responsible tourist.

Directions

Your selection of a culture will depend on your travel plans, but the culture must be different from your own and your visit should be at least two days – more than an airport stopover.

Clear the selection ahead of time with me (via e-mail), to make sure that the travel is truly intercultural.

Although you may choose to do library research, you may interview knowledgeable people and gather their perspectives on the culture. Your own perspective and experiences should be the primary focus of the paper. Describe what steps or strategies you will employ while visiting. Consider the following:

1. Are tourists a welcome presence in the culture? Why or why not?

2. What problems has tourism caused in the past?

3. Which local customs do tourists often disregard?

4. What resources do tourists use, and how does that pattern compare with local usage?

5. How can you take into consideration the local population’s ways of living?

6. How did you feel or respond to communicating in the different cultural situation?

7. What in your own behavior can you alter to accommodate the beliefs and preferences of the host culture?

If you can complete your travel before this assignment is due, please describe how you put your plan into action. What worked and didn’t work?

The six pages (total) must be typewritten, double-spaced proofread, printed out, and turned in at the beginning of class on the due date.

Outcome

Come prepared to discuss your experiences extemporaneously.