Foundations of Leisure & Public Health in Modern Society

Question #1

Leisure is a powerful cultural “tool” in terms of:

a) characterizing culture,

b) developing culture, and

c) changing culture.

Select one of these tools. Then, describe it and give and example from your own experience to illustrate how leisure is culturally powerful, impacts sustainability, and determines quality of life.

Question #2

In terms of its geographical significance, what might be the future of leisure? Discuss at least two concerns in terms of both the challenges and the solutions based on environmental justice, the waste hierarchy, or the helix of sustainability.

Question#3

What is social capital? In terms of the main points in the technology, has technology placed our society’s social capital in jeopardy? How or how not? What are the positive or negative implications of social capital on social equity and public health?

Question#4

From the research of Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi, summarize the nature of the television viewing experience for adults. Also, how well do you think their findings describe your own television viewing experience? Why? What are the implications of their study on our understanding of sedentary lifestyles and physical activity?

Question#5

What is Postman’s thesis in the book Amusing Ourselves To Death? Does the criticism of Disney theme parks presented in the chapter also point to the destructiveness of amusement? How or how not? What are the implications of the destructiveness of amusement on the environment?

Question #6

Anomie is one of the deviant leisure explanations for why people engage in socially unacceptable pastimes. First, describe anomie, differentiate it from the other two explanations, and then explain how the concept of leisure boredom might apply to it. Finally, give an example of anomie and leisure boredom from your own experiences and how it might reflect unhealthy life choices (whether a self-critique or an observational critique).