Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2019 - SA 353 D100

Sociology of Sport (S) (4)

Class Number: 3932

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2019: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    Minimum of 30 units including SA 150.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A sociological examination of sport focuses on the role of this important set of institutions and activities in shaping social relations and understandings about difference and identity. Sport has a long history of naturalizing racial and gender differences in such a way as to reinforce and reflect social inequality more broadly. Racial segregation in sport (at least in formal legal terms) is no longer considered acceptable in western societies or in the Olympic movement at the global level. But the power of sport in reinforcing and naturalizing racial inequality continues while the naturalness and inevitability of sex segregation in sport remains largely unchallenged. This course will explore the relationships between sport and social inequality, sport and nationalism, and sport and the economy. Students with credit for SA 216 or SA 315 (when offered as Society of Leisure) may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

The commonsense assumption that sports are a neutral institution for deriving and demonstrating athletic excellence remains relatively intact in western society despite a volume of research that shows that access to sport, and the outcome of sport, is highly biased, consistent with overall social hierarchies, and politically contested. Sport has a long history of naturalizing racial and gender differences in such a way as to reinforce and reflect social inequality more broadly. Racial segregation in sport (at least in formal, legal terms) is no longer considered acceptable in western societies or in the Olympic movement at the global level. But the power of sport in reinforcing and naturalizing racial inequality continues while the naturalness and inevitability of sex segregation in sport remains largely unchallenged. A sociological examination of sport will include an historical overview of the emergence of sport and the role it has played and does play in shaping social relations, understandings about difference and identity, and the relationships between sport, nationalism, capitalism and globalization.

Grading

  • In-class test #1 30%
  • In-class test #2 (non-cumulative) 30%
  • 40% of final grade will be based on ONE of the following options: 40%
  • Option 1: Research paper (3000 wd)
  • Option 2: Critical summaries (4 x 500 wd) with 5 min in-class presentation
  • Option 3: Individual research presentation (20 min) plus annotated bibliographies (8 x 300 wd)

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, you will be assigned an N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy: The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style.  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html. 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

PDFs via Canvas

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS