Fall 2022 - SA 353 D100
Sociology of Sport (S) (4)
Class Number: 3514
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Thu, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
Vancouver -
Exam Times + Location:
Dec 12, 2022
Mon, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
. Travers
atravers@sfu.ca
Office Hours: by appointment via Zoom, FaceTime, telephone
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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.
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. Many of the resources we engage with this semester will focus on athlete activism.
Grading
- Midterm Exam (Oct 20) 30%
- Take-Home Final Exam 30%
- 40% of your Final grade, will be based on one of the following options: 40%
- Option #1 - 4 x 500 word critical summary of assigned reading
- Option #2 - 3000 word "reading sport critically" Research Paper
NOTES:
Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw 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 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: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), 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.
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
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
A computer and internet connection are required to participate in this course.
REQUIRED READING:
Readings will be provided as PDFs via Canvas or SFU Library links.
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
SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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