Taught In English

There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

Course Description:
This course will provide the students with an introduction to Costa Rican
ecotourism. It will offer the chance to analyse this dynamic process from
different socio-economic perspectives. It will discuss the economic
importance of ecotourism for the Costa Rican national economy, the
stimulation of grassroots, community ecotourism projects, and the role of
ecotourism in securing environmental protection. The advances and
limitations of ecotourism will be explored. Students will be encouraged to
develop their own conclusions about how ecotourism can help to secure
economic, environmental and participatory alternatives in order to
advance the Costa Rican sustainable development process.
Course objectives:
1) to explore the issue of ecotourism within the Costa Rican context.
2) to understand the history and development of the Costa Rica
ecotourism process.
3) to develop a critical understanding of the Costa Rican ecotourism
process from varying perspectives.
4) to observe and experience Costa Rica’s ecotourism process at first
hand.
5) to undertake a research project in relation to an area of the course
(depending on the students interests).
Course Structure = three parts:
PART ONE: Building the case for ecotourism: Definitions, history, and the
context of ecotourism in Costa Rica.
PART TWO: Costa Rica’s policy framework and institutional commitment to
ecotourism. The development of ecotourism in the regional and national
setting.
PART THREE: Costa Rica’s ecotourism sector. Projects and case studies
explored.
2
Session content:
PART ONE:
Building the case for ecotourism: Definitions, history, and the context of
ecotourism.
Session 1:
Introduction and main issues
• Introduction of course / explain syllabus / evaluation system.
• Introduction to main issues.
• Students invited to talk about interests and ideas about ecotourism.
Session 2:
Defining Ecotourism
• Definitions of tourism
• Definitions of nature tourism.
• Ecotourism defined
Session 3:
The Costa Rican setting
• Introduction to the Costa Rican environment and society.
• Political, ecological, demographic, geographic and social features considered.
Session 4:
History and development of Ecotourism in Costa Rica: Socio-economic development
context.
• Main features of Costa Rica’s recent socio-economic development model.
• Critique of socio-economic development model.
• Building the case for sustainability.
• Students hand in research project question /presentation of research project
ideas.
Session 5:
Environmental impacts of development
• Major environmental impacts of development explored.
• Deforestation, contamination, soil erosion.
• Environmental impacts of Costa Rica’s main industries (cattle, coffee and
banana industries).
Session 6
Social impacts of development
• Social impacts of Costa Rica’s socio-economic trends.
• Costa Rica’s social indicators explored, poverty, health, employment.
• Impacts of Costa Rica’s tourist industry. (Social and environmental
considerations)
Session 7:
Student Seminar 1
• Students research an area / issue from the first part of the course.
• Students present research issue and lead discussion.
3
PART TWO:
Costa Rica’s policy framework and institutional commitment to
ecotourism. The development of ecotourism in the regional and national
setting.
Session 8:
Costa Rica’s conservation process.
• History and development of Costa Rica’s conservation process.
• Critique of conservation process.
Session 9:
A history of Costa Rica’s sustainable development process.
• Development of Costa Rica’s sustainable development process.
• Development of ecotourism.
• National legal and policy framework.
Session 10:
The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.
• Regional and national efforts to secure a policy framework for ecotourism.
• Case study of MBC
• Participatory approach.
Session 11:
Ecotourism and economics
• Economic considerations and models considered.
Session 12:
Student Seminar 2
• Students research an area / issue from the second part of the course.
• Students present research and lead discussion.
Session 13:
Exam
4
PART THREE:
Costa Rica’s Ecotourism sector. Projects and case studies explored.
Session 14:
Ecotourism - Case study:
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve
• CASEM
WEEKEND Field Trip: Monteverde.
• Chance for students to understand local dynamics of ecotourism projects.
• Chance to interview people involved in Costa Rica’s ecotourism sector.
Session 15
Field trip follow up session
• Space to discuss main issues and share experiences from field trip.
Session 16
Ecotourism - Case studies:
• Sarapiqui
• Guanacaste and the Four Seasons Hotel. (mainstream tourism verses ecotourism)
Session 17:
Ecotourism /gender issues - Case studies:
• Quepos / ASOMUFAQC
• Sustainable tourism.
Session 18
Research session
WEEKEND - Field Trip: Quepos / ASOMUFACQ
• Chance for students to understand local dynamics of ecotourism projects.
• Chance to interview people involved in Costa Rica’s ecotourism sector.
Session 19
Field trip follow up session
• Space to discuss main issues and share experiences from field trip.
Session 20:
Conclusions and Recommendations
• Conclusions / recent developments / future approaches recommended and
considered.
Session 21 and Session 22:
Research reports:
• Students present their research project findings.
5
EVALUATION
Participation: 10%
Class readings: 10%
Student Seminar: 15%
Exam: 15%
Research report: 30%
Research presentation: 20%
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aylward et al (1995) Sustainable ecotourism in Costa Rica: the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Reserve. Biodiversity and Conservation 5, 315-343 (1996). Chapman and Hall. IIED, San
Jose.
Coates.A. (1997) Central America: A Natural and Cultural History. Yale University Press,
USA.
Eckstein and Wickham-Crowley (eds) (2003) Struggles for Social Rights in Latin America.
Routledge, London.
Harrison,D. (1992) Tourism and the Less Developed Countries. Wiley Press, London.
McIntyre. G. (1995) Sustainable Tourism Development Guide for Local Planners. WTO.
Miller, Chang, Johnson, (2001). Defining Common Ground. Published by the WRI.
Mowforth.M. Ecotourism in Central America: Practice and Potential. Series No 4.1993.
University of Plymouth, Research Paper.
Pearce. D. (1996) Blueprint 4 Capturing Global Environmental Value. Earthscan
Publications, London.
Roberts and Thanos (2003) Trouble in Paradise: Globalisation and Environmental Crisis in
Latin America. London, Routledge.
Vandermeer.J. and Perfecto.I. (1995) Breakfast of Biodiversity: The Truth About Rain Forest
Destruction. Food first books, Monroe, OR. USA.