Politics of Leisure and Recreation

Feb. 5, 2008

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

• Sectioning on Thursday• Until sections start, response papers due in class to TF on Thursdays

• Sectioning on Thursday• Until sections start, response papers due in class to TF on Thursdays

• Response paper: reflection (500 words)

• Compare and contrast Rojek and Pieper’s thoughts on leisure• Suggestion: identify your favorite quotation(s) from each article and discuss the significance of the ideas contained therein

• Response paper: reflection (500 words)

• Compare and contrast Rojek and Pieper’s thoughts on leisure• Suggestion: identify your favorite quotation(s) from each article and discuss the significance of the ideas contained therein

Today’s Discussion Topics

Today’s Discussion Topics

• Anthropology and Leisure Studies• Preliminary Definitions• Rojek: Key Figure in Leisure

Studies

• Anthropology and Leisure Studies• Preliminary Definitions• Rojek: Key Figure in Leisure

Studies

Anthropology and Leisure Studies

Anthropology and Leisure Studies

Leisure is an apposite focus for anthropology, though leisure studies not a field in anthropology

Leisure is an apposite focus for anthropology, though leisure studies not a field in anthropology

• Sociology, psychology, economics, land resource management, and policy have been more influential in shaping field of “leisure studies”

• Anthropologists have yet to consolidate a position in leisure studies.

• Surprising because anthropologists are experts in taking “mundane” activities of daily life and illuminating their political import

• Sociology, psychology, economics, land resource management, and policy have been more influential in shaping field of “leisure studies”

• Anthropologists have yet to consolidate a position in leisure studies.

• Surprising because anthropologists are experts in taking “mundane” activities of daily life and illuminating their political import

What do anthropologists study?

What do anthropologists study? • Anthropologists are interested in:•Meaning and the significance individuals and groups assign to social practices

•Identity and Difference (including stereotypes)

• Human Diversity

• Anthropologists are interested in:•Meaning and the significance individuals and groups assign to social practices

•Identity and Difference (including stereotypes)

• Human Diversity

• Anthropology’s commitment to diversity can be seen in its OBJECTS OF STUDY : cross-cultural differences in human practice

• and in its EPISTEMOLOGICAL COMMITMENTS to plurality of knowledge

• Anthropology’s commitment to diversity can be seen in its OBJECTS OF STUDY : cross-cultural differences in human practice

• and in its EPISTEMOLOGICAL COMMITMENTS to plurality of knowledge

• Anthropology says knowledge is open to contestation; there is no one truth

• Anthropology says knowledge is open to contestation; there is no one truth

• Defining LeisureMerriam Webster says:- freedom or spare time provided by cessation of activities

- time at one’s command that is free of engagements and responsibilities

- opportunity provided by free time

• Defining LeisureMerriam Webster says:- freedom or spare time provided by cessation of activities

- time at one’s command that is free of engagements and responsibilities

- opportunity provided by free time

RojekRojek

• Leisure is not “free time” nor is it “choice”

• Leisure is not “free time” nor is it “choice”

• Situates leisure in a historical trajectory of industrialization

• Leisure is highly regulated by capitalist relations of production

• Situates leisure in a historical trajectory of industrialization

• Leisure is highly regulated by capitalist relations of production

• Modern leisure has 4 features:• Privatization• Individuation• Commercialization• Pacification

• Modern leisure has 4 features:• Privatization• Individuation• Commercialization• Pacification

• Individuation works by making people different and separate, it makes them more subject to control

• Leisure reinforces the narcissism of this individuated identity • People think leisure pursuits give them a unique identity and personal lifestyle

• Individuation works by making people different and separate, it makes them more subject to control

• Leisure reinforces the narcissism of this individuated identity • People think leisure pursuits give them a unique identity and personal lifestyle

• Individuation is the heart of alienation in capitalist society

• Individuation is the heart of alienation in capitalist society

Case One: AffluentCase One: Affluent

• leisured class put a lot of effort into ostentatious displays of pomp and finery and lifestyles of luxury

• leisured class put a lot of effort into ostentatious displays of pomp and finery and lifestyles of luxury

Case Two: HousewifeCase Two: Housewife

• No free time• Home is a place of work • Only “women-only” spaces women have is the women’s bathroom

• No free time• Home is a place of work • Only “women-only” spaces women have is the women’s bathroom

Associations of Leisure: see sheet

Associations of Leisure: see sheet

Spare time…Free Time…Enjoyment…Pleasure…Escape…

Personal Interests…Way to Build Unique Identity…

Self-Definition…Hobbies…Counter-balance to Work…Relaxation…Downtime…Fandom…Hanging with family…Walking in the park…Socializing…Playing Music

Spare time…Free Time…Enjoyment…Pleasure…Escape…

Personal Interests…Way to Build Unique Identity…

Self-Definition…Hobbies…Counter-balance to Work…Relaxation…Downtime…Fandom…Hanging with family…Walking in the park…Socializing…Playing Music

Vacation…Travel…Socializing…DancingHaving Fun…Happiness…Spontaneity…Self-improvement…Movies…Sleep…Golf…

Watching TV…Surfing the WebCostly Activities…Exclusive Activities…

Things one is GOOD at… Things one ENJOYS…

Vacation…Travel…Socializing…DancingHaving Fun…Happiness…Spontaneity…Self-improvement…Movies…Sleep…Golf…

Watching TV…Surfing the WebCostly Activities…Exclusive Activities…

Things one is GOOD at… Things one ENJOYS…

Social Inequality…Access…Spending Time in a different environment to one’s usual context…

What themes emerge from this list?

Social Inequality…Access…Spending Time in a different environment to one’s usual context…

What themes emerge from this list?