Leisure Studies

Program History

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Leisure Studies Program began with the approval of the Master’s Degree program in Leisure Studies from CAPES (Ministry of Education) in 2006. In 2010, following its first triennial evaluation (2007-2009) it was awarded Category 4 status. At the end of 2011, its Doctoral program was approved by CAPES under Category 4. During 2012 it opened up its first Doctoral group with 10 students. After an extensive revision of its Academic Program, its normative procedures, and having initiated a Post-Doctoral Internship, the name “Programa de Pós Graduação em Estudos do Lazer – PPGEL” (Graduate Leisure Studies Program) was adopted.

As of 2013, PPGEL’s staff was comprised of 13 permanent professors and 3 contributors, with degrees in Social Science, Computer Science, Social Communications, Physical Education, History, Pedagogy, and Psychology. In its selective recruiting & admission processes since its inception, PPGEL has received applicants from a wide variety of cities and states throughout Brazil with degrees from diverse areas including Administration, Architecture, Social Services, Social Sciences, Dance, Home & Household Economics, Physical Education, Physiotherapy, Geography, History, Leisure Studies, Psychology, Theatre, Occupational Therapy, and Tourism, receiving on average 2.63 candidate applications per vacancy in the selective recruiting & admissions processes for the Master’s program held until now. These numbers reveal that there is pent-up demand for this level of academic degree in Brazil

In the same year, the Program was awarded Category 5 status by CAPES which provided for a gradual expansion that has culminated in a number of partnerships with national and international higher educational institutions, a reformulation of the PPGIEL Statutes, restructuring of research activities, an increase in the number of scholarships available, and a re-assignment of capacity for more admissions to the Master and Doctoral programs.

Since 2016, the Program has been undergoing an expansion that has culminated in a number of partnerships with national and international higher educational institutions, a reformulation of the PPGIEL Statutes, restructuring of research activities, an increase in the number of scholarships available, and a re-assignment of capacity for more admissions to the Master and Doctoral programs along with a progression towards a CAPES Category 5 classification.

The objective of the course is a commitment to a solid professional and academic education and preparation, combined with social awareness and sensitivity, recognizing that leisure is a principle of citizenship to stimulate concrete actions committed to inclusion and social responsibility. To reach this objective, professors and students seek to immerse themselves in deepening their academic studies, carrying out interdisciplinary research and disseminating theoretical & practical knowledge. Based on critical and systematic reflection upon the development of knowledge and regarding cultural and Leisure practices in Brazil and throughout Latin American social contexts, the program seeks to promote understanding the motivations and determinants for Leisure, linking it to social, historical, political, economic, psychological and cultural activities.

Considering its regional impact, the program contributes to the consolidation of the development of knowledge regarding Leisure in Brazil. Although the theme is studied in many Post Baccalaureate Programs, PPGIEL has pioneered in studies of the theme specifically related to the Brazil context and has achieved critical recognition in the academic environment.

Research Areas:

Identity, sociability and leisure practices

Interdisciplinary studies related to Leisure in contemporary societies. Socio-anthropological, philosophical and political fundamentals of Leisure. Diverse aspects of Leisure in practice and in the organization of daily social life. Leisure, subjects, subjectivities, identities, diversities and sociability networks according to socio-cultural variations of gender, social origin, age, generation, ethnicity-race and beliefs. Leisure in the complexity of institutional practices and different traditions that emerge from distinct social experiences. Cultural, artistic, and media representations of Leisure. Culture, art and communication as Leisure practices.

Record and history of Leisure

Interdisciplinary studies related to Leisure in contemporary societies. Socio-anthropological, philosophical and political fundamentals of Leisure. Diverse aspects of Leisure in practice and in the organization of daily social life. Leisure, subjects, subjectivities, identities, diversities and sociability networks according to socio-cultural variations of gender, social origin, age, generation, ethnicity-race and beliefs. Leisure in the complexity of institutional practices and different traditions that emerge from distinct social experiences. Cultural, artistic, and media representations of Leisure. Culture, art and communication as Leisure practices.

Education, Policies and Activities related to Leisure

Interdisciplinary studies on Leisure as an education and training field for diverse bodies of knowledge, considering different contexts of study and practice in Brazil and Latin America. Education and preparation of Leisure professionals in different dimensions, times, places and dynamics in social life. Development of knowledge regarding Leisure in Brazil and in other countries. Leisure, labor markets, services and professional activities in different sectors. Leisure and professional intervention. Leisure and public policies. Analysis of the role of the State in the conceptualization, development and evaluation of policies, programs and projects related to Leisure.