Sociology of Fun (L4063B)
Sociology of Fun
Module L4063B
Module details for 2021/22.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
This module will introduce students to the idea of a sociology of fun. Fun will be treated as a key component of modern social relations. This is a completely new area of sociological enquiry and, as such, the students will be involved in social science as it is being developed.
Whilst there is a large literature on well-being, psychological and physical health and leisure - which will be addressed in the module - there is almost no social scientific literature on experiences of fun. Early work on `fun morality' had disappeared by the end of the 1950s as concerns about the longer term implications of good health, well-being and more recently happiness - related to discourses of the productive worker - came to dominate writing on the positive and negative aspects of our socio-emotional lives.
The module will address a central theme - that the under representation of fun in literature is because of a social representation of it as frivolous and fleeting - through the module this is counterpoised with data illustrating the importance placed on fun by a variety of people in a variety of settings. Here fun will be presented as something distinct from well-being and happiness due to the temporal impermanence of the phenomenal experience, but that it resonates through the telling and re-telling of the experience of having fun - which in itself stimulates fun.
Module learning outcomes
Understand how to apply observations to new ways of thinking about things
Critically evaluate established sociological writing
Be able to analyse and evaluate contemporary research outputs
Be confident in evaluating new and challenging material
Enhance dissemination skills, in particular writing for a variety of audiences
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Essay | A2 Week 1 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Ben Fincham
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/235554
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.