The Serious Leisure Perspective

Sam Elkington is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Management at Northumbria University, UK. Sam's research reflects his interests in phenomenology and pedagogy, namely the social psychological dimensions of sport and leisure experiences and the nature, policy and practice of sport and leisure education. He is the co-editor (with Sean Gammon) of Contemporary Perspectives in Leisure (Routledge, 2013).

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. 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. 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.

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