Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 27342 Sociocultural Foundations of Leisure, Sport and Tourism
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject familiarises students with a cross-section of the literature which informs different aspects of leisure theory. The literature addressed draws from sociology, psychology, history, philosophy and leisure studies. The subject familiarises students with contemporary debates and issues in leisure theory, and with the relevance of the leisure theories and theorists to contemporary leisure services and provision.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Discuss a cross section of literature which informs leisure theory.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of leisure theory.
3. Analyse theories and ideas as they relate to leisure and play.
4. Develop clear and fresh lines of thinking about leisure in its wider social and political contexts.

Contribution to graduate profile

This core subject in the Bachelor of Management in Leisure provides a theoretical foundation and understanding of leisure. In exploring ideas as they relate to leisure and play, it underpins the course as a whole as connections across other subjects are made. Clearer pathways of personal and professional action should also emerge from this exploration.

Teaching and learning strategies

Teaching and learning strategies include class discussion, debate, role plays, essays and examination. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Introduction - what is theory?, meanings of leisure
• Philosophy - classical philosophy and the Greek ideal of leisure
• History - leisure transformed in the industrial revolution
• Political economy - capitalism and leisure (Marx)
• Sociology- play and sociability (Simmel); play, self and social development I (Mead); play, self and social development II (Kelly); communication and the play frame (Bateson)
• Psychology - psychological and psychoanalytical perspectives (Freud and Jung)
• Feminism - leisure as constraint and empowerment
• Postmodernism - simulation; hyper-reality; depthlessness

Assessment

Observation of a Segment of Leisure/Play Activity (Individual)	20%
This addresses objective 4.
Theoretical Interpretation of an Observation of Leisure/Play (Individual)	35%
This addresses objectives 2 and 3.
Exam (Individual)	45%
This addresses objectives 1 and 2.

Examinations will be conducted under University examination conditions and, hence, thoroughly address the concerns regarding secure assessment. With respect to the observation and interpretation of leisure, this involves continually updated assessment tasks across the semesters. As a further method of security, plagiarism detection software it is also utilised for these assessments.

Recommended text(s)

Two part Reader (Leisure Theory Books I and II).

Wearing, B. (1998). Leisure and Feminist Theory. London: Sage.

Indicative references

Buchbinder, D. (1994). Masculinities and Identities. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.

Featherstone, M. (1991). Consumer Culture and Postmodernism. London: Sage.

Rojek, C. (1995). Decentring Leisure: Rethinking Leisure Theory. London: Sage.