Sports in the Social Context

1 Unit · Graduate

This course introduces the tools used to research and write graduate-level papers in a framework of a critical examination of the sociology of sports in the United States and abroad. The course will also explore the history of the social phenomena that have shaped the world of sports. Students will be assigned readings that underscore how sports reflects the values of the larger society. Some of the issues include inequality in sports, commercialization and globalization of sports, the myth of the amateur athlete in big-time college sports, and behaviors deemed deviant in the world of sports. The course emphasizes writing skills, pushing students to examine their strengths and weaknesses, and helping them find effective ways to do solid research. Students will be assigned projects to demonstrate a proficiency in research and writing.