DEGREE PROGRAMMES

: Religious Tourism

General Description

History

Travels motivated by religious purposes, tourism activities leaded by spiritual values and associated with religious heritage areas constitute an important part of cultural tourism. This programme has been designed for bachelors who are interested and want to build a career in religious tourism by considering the fact that religious tourism is a tool which potentially contribute to interreligious, intercultural dialogue and peace and a field that requires careful management taking into account essential vulnerabilities. Since there is no any other similar programme giving education in religious tourism field, individuals interested in this field to perform services without required educational background and consequently, some misunderstandings, conflicts and problems might occur. Interdisciplinary approach of the programme will give students coming from different fields an opportunity to develop themselves in line with their own area of interest. By means of this approach, students will be able to acquire sufficient knowledge about theory and practice and learn to handle the field sensitively and carefully from different aspects such as science of religion, history, archeology, tourism, sociology, psychology, anthropology, management and marketing.

Qualification Awarded

Master's degree in Religious Tourism (MSc)

Level of Qualification

Second Cycle (Master's Degree)

Specific Admission Requirements

First Cycle (Bachelor s Degree) diploma; a minimum score of 55 from the Academic Graduate Education Entrance Examination (ALES) in the related field or GRE/GMAT equivalent; a minimum score of 50 from the Foreign Language Exams (UDS/KPDS/YDS) or TOEFL IBT/PEARSON PTE/Goethe-Zertifikat/TestDaF/DELF&DALF equivalent or a minimum score of 55 from DEU School of Foreign Languages English Proficiency Test. Transcript; a minimum score of 65 from the graduate school academic proficiency exam.

Specific Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning (Formal, Non-Formal and Informal)

According to the Regulations of Dokuz Eylül University for Graduate Schools, students are not connected to the right for internal transfer, previously taken courses at another graduate programme by another university with a successful grade may be recognized by the related programmes after the letter of the students includes course contents and the transcript, and by the recommendation of the head of the departments and by the decision of the Board of Directors. The courses taken by the outgoing Exchange students have the recognition at the school either as compulsory or elective.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

2 years, 2 semesters per year, 16 weeks per semester, 2 semesters lectures, 1 year thesis, 120 ECTS in total.

Profile of the Programme

The aim of the Religious Tourism Master s Program is to educate students, who: have thorough understanding of religious tourism in terms of its contribution to the peace and intercultural and interfaith dialogue; have basic knowledge about science of religion, archeology and subsectors of tourism industry such as accommodation, food and beverage and tour and guiding services; can follow and interpret local and global trends and developments in the religious tourism industry; have understanding and sensibility required for the individuals who want to work in this field; can apply theoretical knowledge about the fields management, marketing, art history, science of religion and its philosophy, sociology, and anthropology into real-life cases; possess scientific and analytical perspectives; appreciate ethical values, so that they can be employed for managerial positions, can become entrepreneurs, and/or; can pursue an academic career with specialization in religious tourism.
Due to its interdisciplinary approach, the program will be conducted in conjunction with the departments of Archeology, Philosophy and Religious Sciences, Islamic History and Arts, Basic Islamic Sciences and Tourism Management. Religious Tourism Master Program aims to provide students with basic knowledge in tourism as well as information about religious sciences and archeology fields. Courses offered in tourism, religious sciences and archeology fields will bring a different perspective to the students by covering the related issues in context of management, marketing, art history, religious sciences and philosophy, sociology and anthropology. To be able to inform students ambidextrously, faculty members above mentioned disciplines will offer the courses in accordance with their area of expertise. Providing support for students to work on projects and thesis, use of library and computer lab with wireless network connection is also available in program. Language of the courses offered at the program is Turkish.

Key Learning Outcomes

1   Understand, analyze and examine the contribution of tourism to peace and intercultural dialogue by taking the operational process of tourism industry and the roles of actors in the system into consideration; and generate solutions which can increase the contribution of tourism to reconciliation, sympathy and tolerance within societies.
2   Comprehend the role and importance of religious and faith-based tourism in the tourism sector; understand, analyze and question dynamics of this tourism type from micro and macro perspectives in holistic view; and make decisions for solutions related to problems encountered.
3   Apprehend the belief systems, historical development and process of human actions based on faith and religion within a global scale; appraise, analyze, examine these issues and generate solutions to problems with an unbiased, objective, scientific and ethical comprehension.
4   Follow, interpret and discuss the developments in religious and faith-based tourism and develop scientific solutions with interdisciplinary and holistic approach.
5   Understand personal, group and social relationships which underlie belief systems and tourism sector and fundamentals of religious tourist behavior; perceive and interpret cultural differences and conflicts and provide peaceful and ethical solutions to contradictions and problems within the frame of tolerance and sensibility.
6   Understand and analyze the history and the importance of archaeological sites, buildings, sacred places, festivals, events and destinations representing various belief systems in Anatolia and throughout the world; and examine the cultural and social values of these places within the context of sustainability.
7   Demonstrate and apply comprehensive knowledge of the history of religions in the development of religious and faith-based tourism and in improving contribution of stakeholders to social peace, intercultural communication, and tolerance in the tourism sector.
8   Understand, analyze, and question distinctive dynamics and delicacy of religious and faith-based tourism and functioning of tourism businesses with a holistic view using both micro and macro approaches; and make decisions related to problems encountered.
9   Demonstrate theoretical knowledge required to start, run and manage a business which will operate in religious and faith-based tourism sector; and apply this knowledge into projects with initiative.
10   Evaluate issues related to the field with an interdisciplinary approach and a holistic view; through adopting ethical principles and also reflecting such principles to scientific attitudes and approaches with a respect to different beliefs.

Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

Graduates of Religious Tourism Master Program in Tourism Management Department may work in travel agencies specialized in culture and religious/faith tourism or they can work as lecturers in institutes of higher education in related departments.

Access to Further Studies

May apply to third cycle programmes.

Course Structure Diagram with Credits

In Religious Tourism Master Degree Program of Tourism Management Department; a. There are 2 (two) core courses, as well as field study and seminar courses that have to be taken. b. There are 26 (twenty six) elective courses. c. Expected to be completed in four semesters (2 years); students should take 1 (one) core and 5 (five) elective courses in the first semester and in the second semester as well as taking field study and seminar courses, 1 (one) core and 4 (four) elective courses have to be taken. Third and fourth semesters are left for completing the thesis.
T: Theoretical P: Practice L: Laboratory
B: Spring Semester G: Fall Semester H: Full Year
1 .Semester:
Semester No Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type of Course T P L ECTS
G 1 TİN 5001 RELIGIOUS TOURISM AND PEACE COMPULSORY 2 0 0 5
G 0 - ELECTIVE COURSE ELECTIVE - - - 25
TOTAL:   30
 
1 .Semester Elective:
Semester No Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type of Course T P L ECTS
G 1 TİN 5003 MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING OF THE PILGRIMAGE SITES AND DESTINATIONS ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 2 TİN 5005 RELIGIOUS EVENTS AND FESTIVALS ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 3 TİN 5007 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 4 TİN 5009 SAFETY AND SECURITY IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 5 TİN 5011 FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 6 TİN 5013 SPECIAL GROUPS IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 7 TİN 5027 ISLAMIC BELIEF DIFFERENCES IN ANATOLIA-I ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 8 TİN 5017 WITH MAIN ISSUES; THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE BIBLE AND THE QURAN ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 9 TİN 5019 INDIAN RELIGIONS ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 10 TİN 5021 BIBLE AND ANATOLIA ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 11 TİN 5023 CITY AND CULTURE : İZMIR ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 12 TİN 5025 PILGRIMAGE SITES AND SHRINES IN ISLAMIC WORLD I: FORM, FUNCTION AND MEANING ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
G 13 TİN 5015 THE HOST-GUEST RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
 
2 .Semester:
Semester No Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type of Course T P L ECTS
B 1 TİN 5002 FAITH AND PILGRIMAGE ROUTES COMPULSORY 2 0 0 5
B 2 TİN 5098 FIELD STUDY COMPULSORY 0 0 0 3
B 3 TİN 5096 SEMINAR COMPULSORY 0 0 0 2
B 0 - ELECTIVE COURSE ELECTIVE - - - 20
TOTAL:   30
 
2 .Semester Elective:
Semester No Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type of Course T P L ECTS
B 1 TİN 5029 BRIEF HISTORY OF EARLY PERIOD OF ISLAM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 2 TİN 5006 GUIDING SERVICES AND TOUR PLANNING IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 3 TİN 5008 SOCIAL INTERACTION AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 4 TİN 5010 HUMAN RESOURCES TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 5 TİN 5012 ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGEMENT IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 6 TİN 5028 ANCIENT SANCTUARIES ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 7 TİN 5016 RECREATION AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 8 TİN 5018 GEOGRAPHICAL MAPS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, THE BIBLE AND THE QURAN ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 9 TİN 5020 CITY AND CULTURE : ISTANBUL ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 10 TİN 5024 ISLAMIC BELIEF DIFFERENCES IN ANATOLIA-II ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 11 TİN 5022 PILGRIMAGE SITES AND SHRINES IN ISLAMIC WORLD II: FORM, FUNCTION AND MEANING ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 12 TİN 5026 THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE MEMBERS OF VARIOUS RELIGIONS IN THE HISTORY OF ISLAM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 13 TİN 5004 HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
B 14 TİN 5014 CURRENT ISSUES IN RELIGIOUS TOURISM ELECTIVE 2 0 0 5
 
3.Semester:
Semester No Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type of Course T P L ECTS
G 1 TİN 5099 THESIS COMPULSORY 0 0 0 30
TOTAL:   30
 
4.Semester:
Semester No Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type of Course T P L ECTS
B 1 TİN 5099 THESIS COMPULSORY 0 0 0 30
TOTAL:   30
 

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Grading and assessment methods for each course are defined by responsible lecturers and ranked in the Course Description Form in Information Package. In relation to exams and course grades, Dokuz Eylul University Graduate Education Regulations are applied.
For Information Package see the following link;
http://www.sbe.deu.edu.tr/icerik.php id=0028

Graduation Requirements

Second Cycle (Master's Degree) Program with thesis is comprised of courses (at least 55 ECTS), a seminar (2 ECTS) and field study (3 ECTS) and thesis (60 ECTS), in total 120 ECTS credits. Students must have minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.50/4.00 and completed all the courses with at least CB/ S / TP grades.

Mode of Study (Full-Time, Part-Time, E-Learning )

Full-time

Programme Director or Equivalent

Head of Department: Assoc. Prof. Ebru GÜNLÜ
E-mail: ebru.gunlu@deu.edu.tr
Telephone: 0 232 301 8239