MCCCD Program Description

Leisure and the Quality of Life

Course: REC120

First Term: 1996 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Overview of the historical, psychological, social, and cultural aspects of play, leisure, and recreation and their role in contemporary society. Nature of play and leisure behavior in human development within different cultures and the contribution play, recreation, and leisure make to the quality of life for individuals in today`s society

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the philosophical, conceptual, and theoretical aspects of leisure, play, games, and recreation. (I) 2. Describe the evolution and importance of leisure in civilization and world cultures. (II, VII) 3. Research and communicate concepts, principles, issues, and theories related to play, leisure, games, and recreation. (III) 4. Describe the essential elements of sound recreation program development. (III-VII) 5. Describe contemporary societal factors affecting leisure, play, games, and recreation. (IV) 6. Describe a professional philosophy and a personal ethic regarding the importance of leisure, play, and recreation. (V) 7. Identify traditional and non-traditional career opportunities in the fields of leisure, recreation, and tourism services. (VIII) 8. Identify career opportunities related to recreation as a business and the commercial aspects of leisure and recreational services. (VIII) 9. Describe a sound job search strategy for opportunities in the fields of recreation, management, and tourism. (VIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction to concepts A. Leisure B. Recreation C. Play D. Games II. History of leisure and work A. Prehistory B. The Greeks C. The Romans D. The Dark Ages E. The Renaissance F. Colonial America G. Westward expansion H. The Twentieth Century III. Theoretical perspectives A. Theories of play B. Theories of leisure C. Components of recreation D. Elements of games IV. Contemporary factors affecting leisure and play A. Human needs B. Time C. Work D. Gender E. Culture F. Social class G. Life stages V. Ethics A. Leisure and human well-being B. Personal leisure ethics C. Toward a leisure philosophy D. Leisure education VI. Conceptualizing leisure A. Time B. Activity C. State of mind D. Experience VII. Role of leisure and recreation in society A. The work ethic B. Stress and health C. Quality of life D. Provision of leisure opportunities E. Informed choices about positive use of free time F. Leisure education G. The leisure ethic VIII. Leisure services as a profession A. Career opportunities B. Leisure and recreational services C. Job search strategies

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 3/26/1996

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.