21655 Sport and Society
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 27342 Sociocultural Concepts for Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Description
This first-year subject provides a critical introduction to the analysis of sport as a social activity, together with the drivers that make sport a major cultural activity. It examines power relations and inequalities in sport, thereby interrogating the assumption that sport is inherently egalitarian and inclusive. The subject examines historical influences on contemporary sport, the role of ideology and policy, the importance of ethics and integrity, the politics of participation, as well as the power of science and technology in high performance sport.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | Demonstrate an understanding of historical influences on sport as a socio-cultural activity |
|---|---|
| 2. | Comprehend theoretical approaches to sport in modern society |
| 3. | Appreciate the role of ethics, power and equity in sporting contexts |
| 4. | Discern how sport is shaped by social differences such as income, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexuality and education |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject is aligned with the graduate attribute of social responsibility and cultural awareness.
As an introductory foundation subject, Sport and Society provides knowledge and skills about the relationship between sport and society. Students are provided with critical insights into the function of sport as a social, political, cultural, and economic institution. This includes an awareness of sport as an instrument of public policy, as a contributor towards ideals and ideologies, as a vehicle for public debates about ethics and character, and as a mechanism by which to pursue structured, competitive physical activity. Students are therefore introduced to sociological and philosophical concepts that underpin socio-cultural norms and values, all of which underpin the structure and attributes of sport as a unique human phenomenon.
This subject is core to the Bachelor of Management (Sport Business Major), and an elective in the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management and the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science.
This subject also contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Objectives for the Sport Business Major in the Bachelor of Management:
- Evaluate and implement ethical principles in respect of managing for social responsibility, including knowledge of cultural diversity, economic equity, and environmental sustainability as they relate to professional practice (3.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Overall Approach
The subject is structured around a set of problem-based learning experiences. Every week, students explore different dimensions of sport and society through exposure to a significant theme or issue that impacts on perceptions about its attributes, purposes and values. Through engaging with lectures, online learning activities and materials, as well as participating in tutorial learning episodes, students gain an appreciation as to how and why sport is a unique and substantial contemporary phenomen. By provoking students into (re)thinking their assumptions about the virtues of otherwise of sport in society, students are prompted to consider the benefits and costs of the status quo, as well as prospects for change.
Within Class
The subject is run as a 90 minute lecture and a 90 minute tutorial. Because of timetabling requirements, some tutorials are prior to the lecture while others follow the lecture. Consequently, the lecture topic from a particular week will be used to set up the tutorial discussion in the tutorials to follow a week later. This also allows for online class engagement in the wake of the lecture and in the lead-up to the tutorial. The subject is delivered though a combination of lectures, formal debates (from Week 5 onwards), engagement with pre-class exercises, and impromptu discussion about emergent issues in the ever-changing world of sport and society. The content of the subject is explored through exposition, incorporating multimodal sources (i.e. web clips, academic readings, animated lecture slides). This is followed by active learning episodes, whereupon students apply their learning in a simulation exercise. This will involve individuals in group situations (maximum of eight persons) reflecting on set problems, after which they are provided with formative feedback by peers as to their grasp of the topics under discussion. This process is overseen by the tutor, who will mentor to the students in respect of group dynamics (students will be randomised into one group for the duration of the semester), individual contributions, professional conduct and respectful feedback. In cases where students could benefit from special assistance, the lecturer will be in a position to identify such a need early on.
Time is dedicated in and outside class to ensure that students understand assessment tasks. To this end, students bring their own cases and learning challenges to lectures, with solutions arrived upon in collaboration with peers and lecturing staff.
Students are instructed not to use mobile phones during class, whether for calls, texting or watching videos. If students use laptops in class they must be for study purposes only, not for engaging in social media or other distractions. During class discussions and formal debates, laptops must be closed. The classroom is a professional environment.
Prior to class
Online engagement – readings & multimedia resources
This subject has weekly tasks that equip students with an evidence-based understanding about sport and society. The prescribed readings, podcasts and videos have been selected to complement discussion in the forthcoming class. Students discuss these resources in small groups (of eight) each week: as mentioned previously, students who turn up to class without having undertaken the appropriate preparation for in-class discussions will be made accountable to the rest of their group. There is a professional obligation to commit to the work required and to contribute to discussion in the set group.
The pre-class materials/readings will be distributed via the learning management system. Lecture slides, essay questions, debate topics and educational resources (i.e. essay writing guidelines, debate guidelines, recommended databases and web sites) are available via the UTS Learning Management System. This includes assessment feedback templates and examples of essay and debate submissions.
Content (topics)
- Historical influences upon modern sport
- Theoretical approaches to sport in modern society
- Power relationships in contemporary sport
- Ethical concepts and rules in sport
- Heroes and role models in sport
- Gendered experiences in sport
- Disability sport and physical activity
- Navigating ‘race’ and ethnicity in sport
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Seminar (Group)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 2: Major Paper (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 3: Exam (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks.
Required texts
Students are not required to purchase a textbook or indeed any sources used in this subject. Weekly readings, audio or video will be provided in downloadable formats in UTS Online or via a hyperlink to the web.
Recommended texts
UTS:Business Guide to Writing Assignments, available to download for free from the UTS:Business website:
http://www.business.uts.edu.au/teaching/guide/guide.pdf
References
Here are some examples of key texts in the UTS library that you could utilise in terms of coming to grips with the relationships between sport and society:
Anderson, E. (2011), Sport, Theory and Social Problems, Routledge, London.
Coakley, J., Hallinan, C. and McDonald, B. (2011), Sports in Society: Sociological Issues and Controversies, McGraw-Hill, Sydney.
Horne, J., Tomlinson, A., Whannel, G., & Woodward, K. (2012). Understanding Sport: A socio-cultural analysis. Routledge, London.
Hughson, J.E. and Dyreson, M. (2009), The Making of Sporting Cultures, Taylor and Francis, London.