Football the American Dream

3-4 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Each year, thousands of hopefuls try out at high school and college levels for a shot at playing one step closer to the big league – the NFL. Over the decades since football became America’s primary entertainment money-maker, football has reflected changing ideas about race, class, gender, health, and well-being in American society. This course focuses on the social and cultural impact of American football and how it has shaped ideas around success, achievement, race, masculinity, and dreaming big. The course is targeted to teach students the broader context behind a beloved national sport but also to reflect the experiences of those who engage in the work of this dreaming every day.