27342 Sociocultural Concepts for Leisure, Sport and Tourism

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject considers theories and concepts of relevance to the society in which leisure, events, sport, human movement and tourism professionals practise. The subject explores key theoretical concepts such as power, globalisation, commodification, flow, play, sociability, authenticity and diversity and familiarises students with a cross section of literature that informs different aspects of leisure, event, sport, human movement and tourism theory.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. understand and discuss sociological concepts and their significance in the study of leisure, events, sport, human movement and tourism
2. understand and discuss leisure, sport, tourism and human movement in an historical context
3. understand and discuss psychological concepts in the context of the phenomena of leisure, events, sport, human movement and tourism
4. recognise the responsibilities of practitioners in the leisure, events, sport, human movement and tourism industry areas to lead with vision and inclusiveness
5. apply key academic skills in critical reading, essay writing, and referencing in accordance with Faculty of Business guidelines.

Contribution to graduate profile

Sociocultural Concepts for Leisure, Sport and Tourism is a core subject, which draws upon the disciplines of philosophy, sociology, psychology and history to provide a foundation of concepts and theories for all undergraduate programs in the School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism. It considers concepts and theories of relevance to the environment in which leisure, events, sport, human movement and tourism participants and professionals operate.

Teaching and learning strategies

Typically, there will be a one-hour lecture followed by a video or 'Pre-Seminar Activity' for one hour and then a one-hour seminar. The lectures, activities and seminars will incorporate a range of teaching and experiential learning strategies including videos, simulations, debates, readings, discussions, workbook and case studies. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline. This subject contains content supported by ELSSA which is designed to introduce students to the academic writing process.

Students are required to complete ALL the assigned readings and to participate in class discussions and activities. In addition to weekly attendance at the lecture, pre-seminar and seminar sessions and completion of set seminar tasks, students are required to submit two essays to complete the learning requirements for this subject.

Content

• The nature and purpose of theory – professional pathways of vision and action
• Understanding leisure, events, sport, human movement and tourism in an historical context
• Power and deviance
• Globalisation, cultural imperialism and preserving cultural diversity
• Play, creativity and sociability
• Flow, individuation and the pleasure principle
• Diversity and inclusiveness (gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, disability)
• Postmodernism and authenticity
• Critical reading, writing and referencing

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Seminar readings and participation (Individual)

Assessment item 2: Formal Exam (Individual)

Assessment item 3: Critical Reading Essay (Individual)

Required text(s)

Sociocultural Concepts for Leisure, Sport and Tourism Reader. (A compilation of required readings, assignments and guidelines. The reader includes extracts from appropriate journals to be read as preparation for each week's learning activities).

Indicative references

Bessant , J and Watts, R (2002) Sociology Australia, Sydney: Allen and Unwin

Getz, D (2007) Event Studies, Elsevier, Oxford

Markula, P and Pringle, R (2006) Foucault, Sport and Exercise: power, knowledge and transforming the self, Routledge, New York

Rojek, C, Shaw, S and Veal, A (2006) A Handbook of Leisure Studies, Palgrave, New York.