Overview of Course

Leisure is a core dimension of life, yet it is not fully understood or appreciated. In western societies, leisure is often thought of as the juxtaposition to work with many defining leisure as non-work or free-time. Students will develop an understanding of the different ways leisure has been defined and is shaped by the socio-cultural and historical contexts of a society, often in relation to work. The value a society places on work is frequently related to the value a society places on leisure. The influence of social structure including gender, race, class, and life-stage on leisure will also be examined including the role of intersectionality in shaping leisure and work including issues of access and inequality. We will then move on to examine issues of time (lack of time and attitudes towards time), technology, commodification, and future work patterns including post pandemic preferences for remote work and more balanced lifestyles. Students will be challenged to contrast their attitudes towards leisure and work compared to countries they visit. Is leisure a universal dimension of life in all countries or is work more central? What shapes leisure and work in these different cultural contexts? Are leisure and work valued differently in different countries? These questions and more will guide students’ understanding of leisure and work in their own country and in global contexts.