Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - SA 352 D100

Games, Sports, and Practices (S) (4)

Class Number: 3218

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    VANCOUVER

  • Prerequisites:

    SA 101 or 150.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An exploration of games, sports, and practices and their social, cultural, and political meanings. Particular attention will be given to the poetics and aesthetics of athletic pursuits and disciplines grounded in the body, while keeping in mind the variety of individual bodies and personalities competing and practicing.

COURSE DETAILS:

An exploration of games, sports, and practices and their social, cultural, and political meanings. Particular attention will be given to the poetics and aesthetics of athletic pursuits and disciplines grounded in the body, while keeping in mind the variety of individual bodies and personalities competing and practicing.

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Students will hone their sociological imaginations by taking seriously the social, cultural, and political potential in sports, hobbies, and practices.
  • Students will develop their writing skills through weekly practice, aided by peer and professor feedback.
  • Students will gain confidence in expressing their ideas through active reading of their work and class discussion.

 

Grading

  • participation (includes: showing up, being an active and generous member of the classroom and Canvas discussion spaces, active listening, reading your own work and responding to others) 10%
  • responses of exactly 500 words in Canvas discussion page (in advance of class meeting) 40%
  • longer paper of exactly 3,000 words 50%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraws from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The undergraduate course grading system is A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F, N (N standing indicates student did not complete course requirements). Intervals for the assignment of final letter grades based on course percentage grades are as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies:

  • Plagiarism or cheating of any kind in the course of academic work is taken very seriously. Academic honesty includes accurate use of quotations, as well as appropriate and explicit citation of sources in instances of paraphrasing and describing ideas, or of reporting on research findings or any aspect of the work of others—including that of instructors and other students. No AI is allowed in this class. These standards of academic honesty and citation of sources apply to all forms of academic work: examinations, essays, theses, art and design work, oral presentations, and other projects. It is the responsibility of students to follow the rules of proper citation.
  • No recording, photographing or videotaping of the course is permitted without written permission from the professor.
  • The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10-S10.05). 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.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

 

 

 

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All texts will be available online through SFU library or will be uploaded as pdfs on Canvas. There may also be additional films.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.