Full Description
The "Serious Leisure Perspective" (SLP) is a theoretical framework that can help us understand the complexities of modern leisure as both an activity and an experience. Bringing together the study of serious leisure, casual leisure and project-based leisure, it is an essential component of the Leisure Studies curriculum and an invaluable tool for exploring the significance of leisure in contemporary society. This book is the first of offer a comprehensive introduction to the Serious Leisure Perspective, from fundamental principles and key concepts to in-depth and wide-ranging case studies of serious leisure pursuits.
The book introduces the history of the SLP and its position alongside other social theories that attempt to explain the nature and function of leisure. It explores important themes such as consumption, gender relations, social capital and quality of life, and delves deeply into the leisure of amateurs, hobbyists, career volunteers and occupational devotees. Every chapter includes a range of useful pedagogical features, such as review questions and group exercises, to help the student to grasp the importance of understanding leisure as a way of understanding contemporary social life and society. Combining cutting-edge theory and method with an engaging and practical interface, this is an essential text for all Leisure Studies courses and illuminating reading for any student working in Tourism, Events, Sport, Recreation, Sociology or Cultural Studies.
Contents
Introduction Part I Foundation Chapter 1. Introduction: Basic Principles Chapter 2. The Serious Leisure Perspective Chapter 3. The Perspective in the Social Sciences Part II The Serious Pursuits Chapter 4. Amateurism Chapter 5. Hobbyism Chapter 6. Volunteering Chapter 7. Devotee Work Part III Extensions Chapter 8. Tourism and Events Chapter 9. Consumption Chapter 10. Art, Science and Heritage Administration Chapter 11. Library and Information Science Chapter 12. Therapeutic Recreation Chapter 13. Leisure Education, Life Course and Lifelong Learning Chapter 14. Deviant Leisure Part IV Conclusions Chapter 15. The Future of the Perspective
