Immersion at Col de Marcieu – transition through experience

The course takes place at Col de Marcieu in the Chartreuse region, in the Grésivaudan community. Although this area is characterized by tourism, it also encompasses living, working and leisure spaces with a variety of changing economic, social, geophysical and symbolic characteristics. Understanding them is a complex exercise, but a necessary one if we are to understand the territorial dynamics at work.

Immersed for two days, students with little or no experience of territorial analysis and the economics of sports and leisure activities will gain an initial understanding of the area and its challenges. The event is expected to generate a sense of surprise and heightened questioning, which will serve as a basis for the training that follows. Instead of applying theoretical knowledge in the field, the approach is reversed.

The students organize their own public transport to the site, in order to question the accessibility of the area. On site, they create a climate fresco to understand the systemic challenges of climate change. They also met with key players (elected representatives, tourist offices, accommodation providers, ski-lift operators), to gain an insight into the protean nature of the area and its cross-cutting issues. Finally, they take part in group activities to share their emotions, representations and understanding of the local situation.