Date of Award
1-1-2008
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Anthropology
First Advisor
Adams, Jane
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to understand how the creation of tourist identity and local identity is impacted by the tourist experience and the conscious manipulation of the physical environment for the sake of tourism. The role of tourism in shaping how visitors and local community members create or affirm a sense of self or regional identity is investigated. The history and appeal of the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri is examined, which illuminates the kinds of places and experiences tourists seek out as part of a process of conscious identity affirmation. Finally, this thesis concerns the perception of and attitude toward the natural environment and how it plays a role not only for recreational purposes, but the development of regional and personal relationships to nature, which in turn play a significant role in the identity formation and affirmation processes.
Access
This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.