UGA Bulletin

Course Description

Contemporary issues that are facing sport and the people who manage or participate in it.

Athena Title

Contemporary Issues in Sport

Prerequisite

Students must be enrolled in a professional program to register for this course

Pre or Corequisite

KINS 3430 or KINS 3430E

Semester Course Offered

Not offered on a regular basis.

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student learning Outcomes

Students will be able to place sport and sport policy issues in an economic, political, and cultural context.
Students will be able to increase awareness of the impact of current issues in sport upon family, ethnic, and other distinct population groups.
Students will be able to describe and discuss problems and proposed solutions in regard to race and gender which have historically been the center of problems and controversial issues in sport (e.g., the color line in baseball and Title IX).
Students will be able to understand the implications of sport policy decisions upon the affected population groups.
Students will be able to examine, discuss, and debate media portrayals of race and gender in sport.
Students will be able to evaluate sport leagues, competitions, and sporting culture globally, including Europe, Asia, South America, by comparing and contrasting issues and problems to North American sports.
Students will be able to apply library-based and information gathering research skills to the in-depth analysis of current controversies in the world of sport.
Students will be able to realize the ethical dimensions of sport, including the relationship to cultural issues, and come to an ethical position in relation to sports practice.
Students will be able to engage in discussion and problem solving with regard to economic, political, cultural, and social concerns relative to current issues of sport.
Students will be able to evaluate sport as a tool for community building and economic development.

Topical Outline

1. The organization and governance of sport institutions in North America a. Professional team-sport leagues b. College sports and the NCAA c. other professional and amateur sport organizations
2. Global comparisons of sport governance and policy issues a. The Olympic movement b. FIFA and soccer around the world c. other global sport policy issues
3. Racial issues and the minority experience in American sports a. Inequalities of class, sex and race in sport b. breaking the color line c. the underrepresentation of minorities in executive positions in sports and discussion of applicable policies
4. Media representations of race and gender in sport
5. Gender equity and associated policies a. Title IX b. the rise of women's professional leagues
6. Sport and urban regeneration a. public investment in sport and the value of sport to an urban area b. stadiums as economic development c. valuing sports on campus
7. The ethics of fair play and cheating

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