Having defined leisure as a social phenomenon, the course will analyse the main themes of the sociology of leisure.

The essential concepts and significant phenomena related to leisure time will be explored.

Space will be given to the theoretical-empirical analysis of forms and ways of experiencing leisure time.

At the end of the course, students will have to be able to apply what they have learnt and effectively interpret changes in the sphere of free time, analysing the information available and able to construct useful interpretative models.

The course aims to provide critical tools and theoretical and practical-descriptive skills to interpret the processes and transformations of time, in particular that qualified as free time. Forms, practices of consumption and investment of free time will be analysed, paying attention to changes in relation to the becoming of market society and post-modernity.

The characteristics and meaning of the different forms of free time will be analysed considering the socio-cultural processes of entertainment, especially in relation to the communication society.

The course aims to provide a series of conceptual tools and analytical elements to read the radical socio-cultural transformations that invest time considered free.

Leisure time will be analyzed as a moment where political, economic and social processes referring to globalization have immediate visibility.

In particular, the transformations of production structures, the tools and channels of communication that have changed the founding assumptions and the very idea of ​​free time.

The course will be divided into two distinct modules: a more consistent first (26 hours), of an essentially theoretical nature and organized on face-to-face lessons, reading and critical analysis of texts and research materials in which the main orientations and recent approaches will be outlined. research; a second shorter one (10 hours), of a laboratory nature and managed in seminar form, aimed at carrying out collective research on various aspects and problems of time considered free through the investigation tools and the methodological approach developed in particular by social ethnography and with the method of participatory observation in the field.

Knowledge and understanding

To know the main analytical theories in the field of leisure studies. To acquire knowledge and competence on the main topics concerning leisure as a social phenomenon.

To know the relevant paradigms, schools of thought and concepts of the main authors.

To know and understand the key factors related to the relationship between society and leisure.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Through reflection on specific case studies, the course aims to develop applied knowledge and understanding skills. Students should be able to use what they have learnt in lectures to profitably interpret changes in social dynamics, analyse available information and construct interpretative models useful for understanding the dynamics of change affecting leisure.

Autonomy of judgement

To increase the ability to make autonomous judgements, with respect to the general themes dealt with and with reference to the operational implications of the knowledge learnt. Students will be able, thanks to the references to the knowledge acquired throughout the course of study, to pursue a critical approach, which is essential for interpreting the information available in complete autonomy.

Communication skills

Acquire the necessary skills to deal with other professionals on leisure issues. Acquire appropriate skills to present experimental and bibliographical data. Acquire the essential skills to adequately convey and disseminate information on the topics covered.

The students will also have to show exposition skills, of what they have learnt from the lectures, using specific language, their own judgement and conclusions also in a critical key.

Learning skills

To learn the fundamentals of the discipline in order to be able to apply them in the working field. Acquire the ability to consult databases, specialist journals and use innovative techniques and fundamental cognitive tools to update knowledge.

Students will acquire theoretical knowledge, skills and understanding, applied by participating in lectures, seminars and scheduled teaching activities; they will acquire analytical skills with individual exercises scheduled by the lecturer during the course.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

They will be provided with educational materials in both printed and digital formats, including summaries and additional in-depth resources.

Teaching

The course includes:

lectures;
group work and written papers;
oral presentations;
participative lectures in which the presented papers will be discussed.

Innovative teaching methods

1. Flipped classroom.

2. Problem-based learning.

3. Debate and critical argumentation.

Attendance

Attendance 75% lessons.

Course books

Study texts

Fundamentals for all

P. Chabot, Avere tempo, Treccani, Roma 2023.

G. Serafini-E.Boncinelli, Tempo misurato Tempo vissuto, Castelvecchi, Roma 2024.

A. S. Bombi- D. Malagutti, Il diritto di annoiarsi. Darsi il tempo per pensare, il Mulino Bologna 2023. 

To these must be added

Two texts of your choice (oral examination)

One text of your choice written examination

F. Hartog, L'occidente alle prese del tempo, Einaudi, Torino, 2022.

J. Crary, 24/7 Il capitalismo all’assalto del sonno, Einaudi 2015

G. Northoff, Il codice del tempo, il Mulino 2021

Assessment

Written test

The verification of learning will take the form of a written paper. (Five open questions 90 minutes time)

The acquisition of content, revision and argumentation skills will be assessed.

A written paper, agreed with the lecturer, may be submitted. Assessments are in the form of sufficient; fair; good/very good; excellent.

18-22 (Sufficient); Elementary understanding, uncertain exposition, limited argumentative ability. The student demonstrates minimal mastery of content, sufficient to ensure basic autonomy.

23-26 (Fair); Adequate and structured knowledge, orderly exposition, correct application of concepts. Satisfactory learning, with the ability to analyse and rework in guided contexts.

27-29 (Good - Very Good) Excellent knowledge of the topics, precise language, argumentative autonomy. The student shows broad mastery, critical capacity and articulate overview.

30-30 cum laude (Excellent) Complete, original preparation, with critical insights, expository rigour and conceptual mastery.

The following will result in negative evaluations: difficulty in the student's orientation with respect to the themes addressed in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Educational resources will also be provided for non-attending students, including both digital and printed materials for summary and further study.

Attendance

Non-attending students must prepare using the syllabus and the teaching materials provided online.

Course books

Study texts

Fundamentals for all

P. Chabot, Avere tempo, Treccani, Roma 2023.

G. Serafini-E.Boncinelli, Tempo misurato Tempo vissuto, Castelvecchi, Roma 2024.

A. S. Bombi- D. Malagutti, Il diritto di annoiarsi. Darsi il tempo per pensare, il Mulino Bologna 2023. 

To these must be added

Two texts of your choice (oral examination)

One text of your choice written examination

F. Hartog, L'occidente alle prese del tempo, Einaudi, Torino, 2022.

J. Crary, 24/7 Il capitalismo all’assalto del sonno, Einaudi 2015

G. Northoff, Il codice del tempo, il Mulino 2021

Assessment

Written test

The verification of learning will take the form of a written paper. (Five open questions 90 minutes time)

The acquisition of content, revision and argumentation skills will be assessed.

A written paper, agreed with the lecturer, may be submitted. Assessments are in the form of sufficient; fair; good/very good; excellent.

18-22 (Sufficient); Elementary understanding, uncertain exposition, limited argumentative ability. The student demonstrates minimal mastery of content, sufficient to ensure basic autonomy.

23-26 (Fair); Adequate and structured knowledge, orderly exposition, correct application of concepts. Satisfactory learning, with the ability to analyse and rework in guided contexts.

27-29 (Good - Very Good) Excellent knowledge of the topics, precise language, argumentative autonomy. The student shows broad mastery, critical capacity and articulate overview.

30-30 cum laude (Excellent) Complete, original preparation, with critical insights, expository rigour and conceptual mastery.

The following will result in negative evaluations: difficulty in the student's orientation with respect to the themes addressed in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The differences between attending and non-attending students mainly concern learning and assessment. Content, learning objectives and assessment criteria remain unchanged.