Typescript, etc. / Digitized by Kansas State University Libraries

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1988. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Ph.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1946. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-129).

Leisure is defined as a mode of human existence in which the individual is subjectively engaged in the pursuit of an activity solely for the inherent qualities in the activity. This concept, derived from the writings of Aristotle, is in direct conflict with the popularly held assumption that leisure is parcelled out and measured in quantities of time. Leisure is dependent upon the existence in a human life of time free from work, but free time, or “leisure time,” is by no means the same as leisure. The attitudes appropriate to leisure, as described in the study are spontaneity, solitude, and renouncement of competition. Without such attitudes, man cannot be subjectively involved in the re-creation of himself, nor can he create and comprehend the magnitude of the full human life. Just as the alienated individual is not a free individual, the competitive, busy man is not a free man, for he is tied to a work-ethic which pays little respect to the subjective qualities in experience. The human condition, it is argued in the study, is one of ambiguity which requires man to define himself and decide who he wishes to be. It is only in the state of freedom that the individual can choose. Freedom, then, is dependent upon leisure in which man is open to the multiplicity of qualities in experience. The difference between leisure as time, a contradiction in terms, and time to be at leisure, is significant. Man divides his time into three categories: subsistence time in which he works at the functions required to maintain himself; existence time in which he personally cares for himself and his home; and free time in which he engages in non-work activities. In free time man is using unsold time that is not directed by an employer or customer. It is argued in this study that very little of man’s free time, in modern competitive capitalism, is free from the work-ethic. To the contrary, most free time is spent pursuing activities that resemble one’s work, particularly in that it is competitive and “useful.” With “time on one’s hands,” modern man in our culture, the alienated man, is uneasy, for he may “waste” time on activities that have no measurable gain (Contemplation cannot be measured, nor can loafing.) As Sebastian de Grazia states, “A man sitting under a tree thinking and smoking will be described as a man smoking.” Smoking is outwardly observable while thinking is inner-directed. The conclusions reached in this thesis are that a sophisticated society like the United States need not require a conservative ideology suitable to a “leisure class” to provide a justification for leisure. Technology, freed from the work-ethic, can make the opportunity for leisure available to all humans in a society based on equality. The individual’s position in the production-consumption cycle is no longer a valid measure of the quality of a human life, for the development of uniqueness in each individual is a value in itself. Should leisure become the social ideal, work will take its proper place in the full human life and not constitute the dominant factor. The free man in a free society requires leisure as the central goal.

In recent years, Taiwan¡¦s agriculture has faced difficult situations. But as the trend of travel is raising, leisure farming is also gaining ground and gives a great opportunity for traditional farming industry. However, due to the lack of knowledge and experiences of managing leisure farms, many owners who were originally farmers have found difficulty when it comes to create distinguish features. Moreover, imitating each other also leads to collectively poor performance. Therefore, this study has two goals. On one hand, it sums up the past researches and literatures to find out the key factors resulting in success in managing leisure farms; on the other hand, it offers best practice from the case study of well-run existing leisure farms. The conclusions of this study can be presented as followings: 1. The operating activities of a leisure farm should be in accord with its own resources and tourists¡¦ demand. It has to create a unique theme to distinguish itself from others. 2. Once a leisure farm has positioned itself, its products and services should fit its position to avoid giving tourists conflicting messages. 3. Internet may be helpful to the marketing of leisure farms, but tourists can easily gain information as well. Therefore, without non-stop innovation, a leisure farm cannot sustain its distinctive position.

This thesis describes Leisure Studies - a science concerning leisure developed mainly in English speaking countries. It provides an overview of the organisation structure of this discipline in terms of associations and university syllabuses as well as major journals and outstanding monographs. Different ways of defining and attitudes towards the phenomenon of leisure together with brief history of this discipline are also brought out. It also deals with the current topics of Leisure Studies, chosen and based on the author´s own empirical research, namely experts questioning and a key words study throughout the most distinguished relevant journals Leisure Studies, Leisure Sciences and Journal of Leisure Research. The most significant topics identified in this thesis are as follows: sociological and psychological definition of Leisure, its history, paradox, limitations of experiencing leisure, the relation of genders and leisure, leisure facilities and their ecological and economic prospects, sports, body and health and leisure education. In conclusion the author considers the relation of Leisure Studies and Leisure Time Education.

No description available.

Thesis (PhDp)--Open University.

Thesis--PlanA (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Urban Outdoor Recreation Provision (UORP) seems to interpret the concepts of leisure and recreation as 'activity', but a more comprehensive conceptual framework has many more components. This has important implications for UORP. As one instance of this, an 'experience' definition of recreation, should matter to UORP, as the same 'activity' can create a variety of 'experiences', in different settings, for different people. It is argued that if UORP provided 'experiences', this would actually form a clearer, more appropriate and reliable basis forUORP. This thesis aims to increase the understanding of the concepts of leisure and recreation in the context of UORP and to emphasise the need for a more comprehensive conceptual picture as the basis of UORP. To achieve this, the research carries out a multi-level, hierarchical investigation: the first level, the conceptual level, examines the meanings of leisure and recreation in historical, academic and philosophical contexts. It emerges that the multidimensional concepts of leisure and recreation evolve with time and they are not synonymous terms; they are similar concepts, but, with distinctions. Both leisure and recreation may be approached as 'activity', as 'social matter' and as a 'holistic concept'. But significantly for UORP, and distinctively, leisure is defined as 'time' and recreation as 'experience' and as 'outcome of experience' . At the second level, the operational level, the research tests the propositions made and the issues raised at the first level by studying the practice of UORP. This is done through a postal questionnaire survey of Metropolitan local authorities (covering attitudes and opinions) and case studies of Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, as provider, and Saltwell Park, as specific urban outdoor recreation place. The research concludes that leisure and recreation have a weak link to UORP which is preoccupied with 'activity'. There is no significant input from other definitional aspects such as 'time' and 'experience', which could provide a sounder, overall basis for UORP and a conceptual link in resolving certain contemporary issues such as the 'problem' of vandalism, 'perceived decline' (and revival) of parks and making future Urban Outdoor Recreation Provision more efficient, creative and flexible. Proposals to improve practice are made on the basis of the findings of the empirical research.