Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2019 - SA 353 J100

Sociology of Sport (S) (4)

Class Number: 2589

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2019: Wed, 5:30–9:20 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 everyday assumption that sports remain a neutral institution for defining and demonstrating athletic supremacy is relatively intact in Western society despite research that reveals that access to sport, and the outcome of sport, is highly biased and consistent with overarching social divisions, and politically contested. At the core of sport is the naturalization of racial and gender differences that reinforces and underlines social inequality more broadly. Segregation along racial lines in sport (at least in formalized legal terms) is not considered acceptable any longer in Western societies or at the Olympic level globally. However, the power of sport to reinforce and naturalize racial inequality continues unabated while the naturalness of and requisite gender segregation in sport generally remains unchallenged. A sociological examination of sport and the role it has played and continues to play in shaping social relations, cognition of difference and identity, and the implicit relationships between sport, nationalism, capitalism and globalization.

Grading

  • Pair presentation on weekly readings 15%
  • Research paper 25%
  • Midterm exam 1 20%
  • Midterm exam 2 30%
  • Participation 10%

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:

A Course Reader of collected academic articles will be available on CANVAS.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Craig, Peter. (2018). Sport Sociology. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
ISBN: 978-1-473919488

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