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Degree Course in

Planning and management of cultural tourism

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SOCIOLOGY OF TOURISM INNOVATION

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: DAVIDE NICOLOSI

Expected Learning Outcomes

The sociology of tourism innovation stands at the crossroads between theoretical reflection on society and the analysis of the transformations that affect tourism as a social, economic, and cultural phenomenon.

Within this discipline, sociology is conceived as a tool for interpreting processes of social change and for critically examining the dynamics that characterise advanced modernity. From this perspective, attention is directed not only towards the description of phenomena, but also towards the ability to problematise them, recognising the tensions between tradition and innovation, between the local and the global, and between social structures and individual agency.

The concepts of general sociology provide the essential foundation for engaging with the specific domain of the sociology of tourism, enabling tourism to be interpreted as a privileged laboratory where the logics of innovation intertwine with the needs of sustainable development and with formative processes. In this light, tourism innovation is understood not merely in a technical or organisational sense, but as an authentic social process involving the production and sharing of new knowledge, the construction of competences, and the capacity of local communities to creatively integrate both material and immaterial resources.

Starting from these general premises, sociology as applied to tourism thus assumes a critical role: it does not limit itself to measuring flows or economic impacts, but rather investigates how models of tourism development affect social relations, quality of life, and the identity of territories.

Course Structure

The course is organised into lectures which, following an introduction to the foundations of general sociology, progressively lead to a more specific analysis of the sociology of tourism innovation.
An interim written examination is scheduled, devoted exclusively to the theoretical aspects of general sociology, with the aim of verifying a solid acquisition of the fundamental knowledge base.
The second part of the course, focusing on an in-depth exploration of the sociology of tourism innovation, will be addressed directly during the final examination. This will allow the assessment of the students’ ability to apply the theoretical tools acquired through the study of general sociology to the field of tourism, and in particular, to the design and management of cultural tourism.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is not compulsory

Detailed Course Content

Within the course, two fundamental volumes will be adopted.
The first, Sociologia generale by Rita Bichi, provides students with the essential theoretical foundations of sociology. Through this text, students will acquire the general concepts necessary to interpret and apply sociological knowledge to issues related to tourism.
The notions introduced in Bichi’s volume serve as the conceptual starting point for approaching the second text, Lo sviluppo turistico. Teorie, strategie e gestione della conoscenza by Nicolò Costa. The latter deepens the analysis by focusing on theories, strategies, and knowledge management within processes of tourism development.
Considered in continuity, the two texts thus offer a coherent and progressive educational pathway: from the study of the foundations of general sociology to their practical application in the field of the sociology of tourism innovation.

Textbook Information

The reference texts prescribed for the course are as follows:

 

1.         Sociologia generale. Rita Bichi

2.         Lo sviluppo turistico. Teorie, strategie e gestione della conoscenza. Nicolò Costa

 

 

Principles of General sociology:

 

Sociologia generale. Rita Bichi

  1. La sociologia come scienza per la persona   Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. IX-XII
  2. Gli albori della sociologia      Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 5-20.
  3. Essere in relazione      Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 383-395.
  4. Sentirsi parte  Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 396-411.
  5. 16        Ri-produrre le culture   Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 412-426.
  6. Ri-produrre le norme sociali  Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 427-439.
  7. Comunicare: la mediatizzazione        Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 464-476.
  8. Vivere nella quotidianità       Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 477-490.
  9. Il corso della vita       Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 491-502.
  10. Vivere la famiglia       Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 503-516.
  11. Agire insieme  Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 546-557.
  12. Istruirsi e educare       Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 600-611.
  13. Vivere nel mondo globale      Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 668-679.
  14. Vivere il pianeta: Il cambiamento climatico.            Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita&Pensiero, 2022, Milano, Pp. 680-690.

 

2. Sociology of tourism innovation:

Lo sviluppo turistico. Teorie, strategie e gestione della conoscenza. Nicolò Costa.

 

Chapter 1

Turismo moderno: le teorie critiche, pp. 1-34.

Chapter 3

Il pluralismo dei valori e le tipologie turistiche, pp. 73-97.

Chapter 5

Il turismo postmoderno, pp. 141-170.

Chapter 6

Dai city user alle le vite mobili, pp. 173-205.

Chapter 7

I multiculturali tra moralizzazione del turismo e estreme mobilità, pp. 209-252.

VERSIONE IN ITALIANO