21920 Sport Governance and Integrity
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:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 27729 Legal Issues for the Experience and Not-for-Profit Industries
Description
This subject requires students to reflect on organisational behaviour, governance protocols, and integrity management within professional sport. In order to do so, students examine ethical, political, structural and policy dimensions of sport and evaluate its position in wider society. Students are therefore expected to develop a critical understanding of major problems and opportunities in respect of governance and integrity in international sport.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | apply concepts of ethics, governance, and integrity in business, to the sport industry |
|---|---|
| 2. | evaluate the critical challenges to governance and integrity in professional sport, in both comparative and global contexts |
| 3. | assess policies underlying the structure, purpose, and efficacy of competitive sport |
| 4. | evaluate the arguments to reform governance practices and integrity measures in professional sport |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject is aligned with the graduate attributes of intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving, along with social responsibility and cultural awareness. Students are immersed in the challenges of governance, ethics, and leadership as they apply to contemporary sport. In doing so, they critique policy apparatus and rules applicable to the conduct of sport and its management. The outcome, for students, is practical engagements with integrity and governance issues as they pertain to the contemporary sport.
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Program Learning Objective for the Master of Sport Management:
- Apply critical thinking and analytical skills to develop creative strategies that respond to Indigenous and non-Indigenous community/ business needs and emerging challenges within a sport context (1.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Overall Approach: The subject is structured around a set of problem-based learning experiences. Each week, students explore different dimensions of the governance of sport and integrity management; this is achieved through exposure to a significant theme or issue impacting on industry policy or practice. By engaging with lectures and online learning activities, as well as participating in interactive tutorials, students gain an understanding of how and why governance protocols and integrity practices exist, as well as complexities therein. All of this provides students with opportunities to develop creative ideas that address problems and produce reforms.
The lectures and tutorials include a range of interactive and collaborative learning activities. This includes specified readings, videos, or audios in flipped learning mode using Canvas.
Key concepts are taught using individual and group exercises, scenario-based problem solving, and policy case studies. Occasionally, a lecture may be conducted by a guest speaker with specific skills and experiences pursuant to a theme in the subject.
Learning content will be supported by Canvas, where readings and video/audio uploads are provided. Students are required to read, reflect on, and critique the weekly materials in preparation for tutorials. In-class sessions will build on these sources and lead to collaborative, problem-based, industry-focused discussions.
Within Class: 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 involves individuals positioned in one of four designated groups which allows for open reflection on specified problems, after which formative feedback is provided by student peers. This process is overseen by the academic, who will mentor students in respect of group dynamics, individual contributions, professional conduct, and respectful feedback. Students who turn up to class without having undertaken the appropriate preparation for in-class discussions will thus be made accountable to the rest of their group. Also, in cases where students could benefit from special assistance, the academic will endeavour to identify such a need early on. Time is dedicated to ensuring that students understand assessment tasks. To this end, students bring their learning challenges to class, with solutions arrived upon in collaboration with peers and teaching staff.
Online engagement – readings & multimedia resources: This subject has weekly tasks that equip students with an evidence-based understanding of integrity management and the governance of sport. The prescribed readings, podcasts and videos have been selected to drive the in-class discussion. Students discuss these resources in designated groups each week.
Assessment tasks: Students receive written feedback on Assessment items 1 and 2 (see below), which involve the formal submission of reports in relation to set questions. Students are encouraged to seek guidance from their tutor in preparation for these exercises. Support is also available from UTS HELPS https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps
Management Department Compulsory Attendance Policy: This subject enforces a compulsory attendance requirement. This includes active online attendance where face to face classes are suspended. Students who miss more than three tutorials without approved consent from the Subject Coordinator will be deemed as not meeting the compulsory attendance requirement for this subject. The Management Department attendance policy is in accordance with university policy on attendance and/or participation requirements as per UTS Student Rule Section 3.8.
Content (topics)
- Ethics, politics and the business of sport
- Governance and accountability in sport management
- Competition integrity: corruption and doping
- Impacts of science and technology
- Rules underpinning sex categories in sport
- Athlete on-field safety measures
- Risk and reputation management
- Diversity and inclusion
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Essay (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 2000 words (not including references and/or appendices at the end of the essay). |
| Criteria: | In this task you will be assessed according to the following criteria:
|
Assessment task 2: Investigative Project (Group)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Video Project: 5 minutes, plus questions. Written Report (500 words; not including references). |
| Criteria: | In this task you will be assessed according to the following criteria:
|
Assessment task 3: Final Exam (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2 hours |
| Criteria: | In this task you will be assessed according to the following criteria:
|
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 Canvas 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 complex ethical and managerial challenges in contemporary sport:
- Anderson, P.M., Blackshaw, I.S. and Siekmann, R.C.R. (2012). Sports Betting: Law and Policy, The Hague: T.M.C. Asser Press.
- Haberfield, M.R. and Sheehan, D. (2013). Match-Fixing in International Sports: Existing Processes, Law Enforcement, and Prevention Strategies, London: Springer.
- McNamee, M. and Moller, V. (2013). Doping and Anti-Doping Policy in Sport: Ethical, Legal and Social Perspectives, London: Routledge.
- Triviño, P. and Luís, J. (2013). The Challenges of Modern Sport to Ethics: From Doping to Cyborgs, Lanham, Lexington Books.