Nepalese Socio – Cultural Environment Syllabus - BBA-TT (PU)

Course objectives

Nepalese Socio- cultural Environment is a subject that will introduce students to our country’s social and cultural perspectives and its related tourism product in the country. It is an introduction to the knowledge of cultural resource management, cultural diversity, cultural aesthetic values, cultural and heritage tourism of Nepal.

Course Description

Students will learn, about Nepalese socio-cultural aspect and as a part in tourism arena. The student will be exposed to the rich diversity of Nepalese cultural tourism such of  History, Art and Architecture of Nepal, Himalayan Society and Culture, Hill Society and Culture, Terai Society and Culture and as well as the student will get an exposure to the Cultural Behavior and Cultural Effects of Tourism.  

Course Outcomes

• Student will understand about the Socio-Cultural aspect of tourism in Nepal
• Student will be able to develop knowledge of diversity of cultural tourism aspect in Nepal.
• Students will be able to develop knowledge in History, Art and Architecture of Nepal and its importance in Tourism arena
• Students will be able to develop knowledge in Himalayan Society and Culture
• Students will be able to develop knowledge in Hill Society and Culture
• Students will be able to develop knowledge in Terai Society and Culture
• Students will be able to develop understanding in Cultural Behavior and Cultural Effects of Tourism

Course Content

Unit I: Introduction to Cultural Tourism                                                                 8 hours

Concept of culture, Cultural characteristics, Cultural Landscape, Cultural Resource Management, Indigenous or Ethnic tourism, Cultural tourism and cultural heritage, An Introduction of Cultural Heritage Sites of Nepal, Tourism as personal transition.

Unit II: History, Art and Architecture of Nepal                                                      4 hours

A brief introduction to art, architecture and paintings (stone art, wooden art, bronze art and thangka; Pagoda, Shikhar and Vihara architecture) of Nepal, A brief historical background of the Lichhavis, Mallas and Shah dynasty-up to unification of Nepal 1768 A.D                                                                                                             

Unit III: Himalayan Society and Culture                                                                 8 Hours

Geographical setting, Settlement pattern, Subsistence System, Transhumance system, Life-Cycle Rituals (birth, marriage, and funeral practices) or Life course approach, Manirimdu, festival of Solukhumbu.

Unit IV: Hill Society and Culture:                                                                            8 Hours

Geographical setting, Ethnic/Caste groups, Settlement pattern, Economic life, Life- Cycle Rituals (birth, marriage, and funeral practices), Religion (Hinduism, Buddhism and Shamanism and Bisket Jatra of Bhaktapur.

Unit V: Terai Society and Culture:                                                                          8 Hours

Geographical setting, Settlement pattern, Life-Cycle rituals (birth, marriage, and funeral practices), Religious life of the people of Terai region, Maghi festival of Western Terai.

Unit VI : Cultural Behavior and Cultural Effects of Tourism                                12 Hours

Culture shock, Cultural confusion, Acculturation: Trivialization, Revitalization, Cultural Drift

Reference Books:

• Rishikesh Shah, History of Nepal
• Dor Bahadur Bista, "People of Nepal", Kathandu, Ratnapustak Bhandar
• Ramesh Raj Kunwar, Himalayan Heritage
• Ramesh Raj Kunwar, 1989, Fire of Himal, Nirala Publications
• Ramesh Raj Kunwar, 2006, Tourists and Tourism: science and industry interface,

     Publisher Gangasen Kunwar

• Prem Nath Dhar, 2010, Heritage Culture and Natural Site, New Delhi, Kaniska Publishers
• Ronald M. Bernier, The Temples of Nepal
• Mary M. Anderson, Festivals of Nepal