21952 Sport for Social Impact
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): 27732 Sport Organisations
Description
This subject explores the role of sport in contributing to social development in our society. It evaluates how public policy impacts upon sport organisations and their ability to deliver both sport and non-sport outcomes in a variety of local, national and international settings. Specifically, the subject focuses on sport-for-development initiatives for disadvantaged communities, and sport’s role as an agent for social change and intercultural engagement.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 1. | explain the theoretical underpinnings of sport-for-development practices |
|---|---|
| 2. | evaluate the nature and role of sport organisations and change agents as sport-for-development service providers |
| 3. | debate the influence of public policy on sport-for-development in theory and practice |
| 4. | assess the role of sport in disadvantaged community settings |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject aligns with the graduate attributes of social responsibility and cultural awareness, as well as communication and collaboration for students in the Master of Sport Management. Teaching and learning activities will introduce students to the field of sport-for-development with a focus on creating positive social impact through sport. Through examining the wider social utility of sport as well as sport’s role as an agent for social change, the subject and its assessments will develop student’s social responsibility and cultural awareness.
This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objectives for the Master of Sport Management:
- Interact with sport stakeholders and work effectively in teams to deliver project outcomes that serve community and commercial interests (2.2)
- Evaluate and apply principles of law, ethics, sustainability and Indigenous values in a sport management context (3.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
The lectures and tutorials include a range of interactive and collaborative learning activities. Key concepts are taught using individual and group exercises, scenario-based problem solving, and case studies. Some lectures will be conducted by guest speakers representing different sectors of the sport industry. Content for this subject will be supported by the learning management system, where readings, videos and exchange forums are provided. Students are expected to read, reflect on and critique the weekly materials including research articles, case studies, and associated practical and academic sources in preparation for the lectures and tutorials. In-class sessions will build on these sources and lead to collaborative problem-based workshop sessions with design thinking elements. These workshop sessions are problem-based and will combine pre-class activities with active learning experiences that go beyond the prescribed group activities that form the official assessment. For example, a workshop on sport policy could have groups prepare for and actively engage in a mock-debate around funding allocations for elite and community sport organisations and their programs. In-class feedback on group activities and prescribed pre-work will be provided on a weekly basis.
Content (topics)
- Government policy and community sport
- Sport participation
- Sport and community development
- Sport organisations and social capital
- Sport, social inclusion and integration
- Physical, social, and mental health
- Stakeholders and partnerships in sport
- Trends and innovations in sport-for-development
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Integrative Reflection (Individual)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 3 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 2: Investigative Report (Group)
| Objective(s): | This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 3: Final Examination (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
All required texts are available via CANVAS and the Reading List each week.
Recommended texts
Sherry, E., Schulenkorf, N., Phillips, P. & Rowe, K. (2024). Managing sport development: An international approach (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.