A unit of study in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sport Science), Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology) and Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology and Sport Science) programs.

Aims:
This unit  introduces students to key concepts in the sociology of sport. It aims to develop an understanding  of how sport is socially constructed by examining different aspects of sport such as sports organisations, athletes, fans, and sports regulation. It also aims to explore the relationship between sport, one of the most popular recreational activities around the world, and key social institutions such as gender, race and nation. The unit takes a global perspective in understanding sport.

 

Learning Objectives: • Demonstrate an understanding of the social contexts of sport

• Describe interactions between sport and social relations

• Outline how sporting norms and practices vary across and within societies

Lectures (2 hours) and laboratories (1 hour) or online equivalent

Essays (50%)
Tests and examinations (40%)

Tutorial activities including presentations (10%)

The graduate attributes which relate to this unit help to produce students who:

• Have a basic understanding of the theoretical principles involved in sport psychology.

• Have an in-depth technical competence in the specific (core) discipline.

• Can apply specific knowledge of the (core) discipline to real situations.

• Are able to engage in informed critical inquiry.

• Have a sense of social responsibility for subject specific knowledge and its applications.

 

Are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community.
• Have the ability to critically understand innovations and developments.

• Respect multiple points of view.

• Have the ability to identify opportunities for responsible innovation and/or developments within/across the technical, social, cultural, ecological and economic environments. 

 

• Can effectively communicate within and without the subject discipline.

 

Are adaptable and manage change.

• Are self-motivated.

• Have multifaceted research and problem solving skills.

• Are flexible.

• Can understand problem identification, formulation and solution.

• Have an expectation that learning is lifelong.

• Have the ability to keep learning past the lifetime of the course.

 

• Have a broad understanding of the technical, social, cultural, ecological and economic environments and their interconnectedness.

• Have a basic understanding of the need to carry out work in an ethical and socially responsible fashion.

Topics include defining sport, the regulation of sport, media and sport, sport and social relations such as gender, race and class, and consumption of sport.

 

The key text will be:
Marjoribanks, T. and Farquharson, K. (2011), Sport and Society in the Global Age, London, Palgrave Macmillan.

 

A variety of additional articles and book chapters will be also assigned.