Critical Event Studies

Events are categorized by size and content, but this framework overlooks and depoliticizes protest events. This book develops a new critical pedagogy and theory of events that considers the wider social, cultural, and political contexts and addresses questions such as the occupation and reclamation of specific spaces by activists. It will be of interest to students and scholars of events management and related courses.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Events in the realm of event management are typically categorized along two primary axes: size and content. Along the size axis, events span a wide range, from small-scale and local gatherings to major events that capture significant media attention, moving towards internationally renowned hallmark events like the Edinburgh Festival and the Tour de France. On the content front, events are often divided into three main categories: culture, sport, or business. However, these frameworks tend to overlook and depoliticize a significant variety of events that can be more accurately classified as protest.

In response to this gap, this book aims to bring together cutting-edge research and theories from diverse fields such as sociology, leisure studies, politics, and cultural studies. It serves as the first comprehensive research monograph dedicated to the concept of critical event studies (CES), which posits that understanding events requires an understanding of the broader social, cultural, and political contexts in which they occur. The book addresses critical questions such as whether the occupation and reclamation of specific spaces by activists can be considered events within the framework of CES, and whether the activities of activists in these spaces can be classified as leisure activities. If these and similar activities can be recognized as events and leisure, what implications does this have for our understanding of them and how we conceptualize the study of event management?

This title will appeal to undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in events management and related courses, as well as scholars interested in exploring the intricate ways in which events are constructed by social, cultural, and political forces. By delving into these critical dimensions, the book offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of event management and its implications for our understanding of society.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 155 x 231 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032242477