Sports Psychology: Fields, Fandoms, Communities

(3 Credits)

How does sport shape who we are, where we belong, and the ways we build community? Abu Dhabi has emerged as a model of sports-led development, investing in infrastructure, events, and partnerships that advance economic diversification and social transformation. As the emirate transitions from hosting events that attract fans to creating experiences that connect people, sport takes on new meaning in daily life. This course explores how sports cultures take root, grow, and bring people together in ways that result in changed lives. Grounded in the local sports scene while giving attention to global contexts, the course examines the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of human engagement with sport. Through fieldwork across sports facilities and training grounds, students analyze how participation and fandom shape identity, belonging, and wellbeing. Learning interlaces current events, historical examples, industry case studies, behavioral theories, and management principles across business, government, and non-profit sectors that can be applied to understanding the role of the individual in building a functioning society.