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2025/2026  BA-BSEMO2592U  The Economics of Culture and Tourism

English Title
The Economics of Culture and Tourism

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course Second Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Service and Markets
Course coordinator
  • Trine Bille - Department of Business Humanities and Law (BHL)
Main academic disciplines
  • Experience economy
  • Economics
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 26-06-2025

Relevant links

Learning objectives
In the end of this course the students should be able to:
  • Explain the central models, concepts and theories presented through the course
  • Critically assess the strengths and weakness and the value and relevance of the models, concepts and theories presented through the course in relation to their practical application.
  • Apply the models, concepts and theories presented throughout the course on concrete problems.
  • Analyze a problem based on selected theories and methods and argue for the implications.
  • Reflect on the consequences of applying different theories and perspectives on a selected problem
Examination
The Economics of Culture and Tourism:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Duration 15 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation time No preparation
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

This course will apply economic theories and methods to the cultural sector and the tourism sector. The course will show how economic theory can be used to analyze important economic problems in these sectors, both from a macro and a micro perspective. The course will introduce the economics of the public sector and welfare economics, including theoretical concepts such as market failures, externalities, public goods and common goods. Methods such as cost-benefit, economic impact studies and contingent valuation methods will be introduced and applied to study important economic problems, such the economic importance of culture and tourism in in local and regional development, cultural tourism, the economic impact of big events, sustainable cultural and economic development taking future generation into account, the non-market values of arts and culture, and the negative externalities of over-tourism.

Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • New theory
  • Teacher’s own research
Research-like activities
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
Description of the teaching methods
The teaching is based on lectures giving overview of the theory, guest lecturers from the industry, and student presentations and discussion of selected cases. It is expected that students prepare before classes by reading relevant articles and chapters as suggested in the reading schedule on Canvas.
Feedback during the teaching period
Feedback will be given on oral presentations by students and peer to peer student feedback on working with and presentation of cases.
Student workload
Classes 38 hours
Preparation fo class 98 hours
Exam 70 hours
Last updated on 26-06-2025