Politics of Leisure and Recreation Feb. 5, 2008. Announcements Sectioning on Thursday Until sections...
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Transcript of Politics of Leisure and Recreation Feb. 5, 2008. Announcements Sectioning on Thursday Until sections...
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?