La première partie du cours, d’ordre épistémologique, s’ouvrira sur un problème de définitions : les jeux comme propre de l’homme, les sports comme avatar historique des sociétés occidentales modernes. Le spectacle réunit bien les deux concepts, qui seront dès lors analysés dans une perspective plus globale, en comparant les représentations ludico-rituelles des sociétés traditionnelles avec la culture médiatique des sociétés modernes. Une seconde partie ethnographique analysera la genèse historique des sports sous la forme structurale d’un système de transformation par engendrement réciproque, dont les exemples contrastés des jeux de balle et des jeux d’arènes seront les principales illustrations. Une autre étude de cas, consacrée à la musique populaire américaine et au spectacle afférent, abordera les relations entre techniques du corps et figures rythmiques associées au succès commercial. Cette partie débouchera sur les phénomènes d’impérialisme culturel, d’origine britannique et hispanique, propre aux jeux, sports et spectacles modernes, et leurs conséquences politiques et économiques.
The first part of the course, epistemological, is setting a series of definitions: games as a human characteristic, sports as a historical avatar of modern Western societies. The spectacle unites the two concepts, which will then be analyzed from a more global perspective, comparing the ludico-ritual representations of traditional societies to the media culture of modern societies. A second ethnographic section will analyze the historical genesis of sports in the form of a structural system of transformation, illustrated by the contrasting examples of ball games and arena games. Another case study, devoted to American popular music and related spectacle, will look at the relationship between body techniques and rhythmic figures associated with commercial success. This section will lead on to the phenomena of cultural imperialism, of British and Hispanic origin, specific to modern games, sports and entertainment, and their political and economic consequences.
The first part of the course, epistemological, is setting a series of definitions: games as a human characteristic, sports as a historical avatar of modern Western societies. The spectacle unites the two concepts, which will then be analyzed from a more global perspective, comparing the ludico-ritual representations of traditional societies to the media culture of modern societies. A second ethnographic section will analyze the historical genesis of sports in the form of a structural system of transformation, illustrated by the contrasting examples of ball games and arena games. Another case study, devoted to American popular music and related spectacle, will look at the relationship between body techniques and rhythmic figures associated with commercial success. This section will lead on to the phenomena of cultural imperialism, of British and Hispanic origin, specific to modern games, sports and entertainment, and their political and economic consequences.
- Teacher: Frederic SAUMADE