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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC/LAW 234"
COURSE NAME: "Sports and Crime"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Beth Ellen Adubato
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 9:00-10:50 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course critically examines the intersection of sports and crime, challenging the idealized notion of “fair play” and “Olympic spirit.” Through real-world examples, the course will explore the intricate web of criminality surrounding modern sports enterprises, where the vast earnings that can be made by athletes and commercial actors can foster corruption, fraud and deception. It will also address the social dimensions of sports, including discrimination and violence. Students will gain an understanding of issues such as doping, match-fixing, the impact of sports-related crime on the reputation of athletes and teams, and the broader societal implications of criminal incidents involving sports figures.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course adopts a contemporary perspective, with a scrutiny of the financial underpinnings that often give rise to criminal activities in sport. It asks how a domain in which skill and years of hard work and training are emphasized can become easily associated with crime, and looks at the impact of some new geopolitical players that have recently entered the globalized sports arena. Prominent sports scandals involving point shaving, game-fixing, technological espionage, illegal gambling, and corruption within Olympic Committees, will be investigated. We will also address the problem of “doping” to gain a physical advantage, discrimination in sports, questioning whether this amounts to criminal behavior, the deliberate targeting of college students by online gambling companies and the ethical implications of such practices.

Examining the disparities in the treatment of athletes accused of crimes, various sports leagues' policies, fan aggression (with a focus on hooliganism and police responses), and athletes' engagement in serious crimes, the course navigates complex ethical terrain. In sum, we will explore the fundamental question of whether these entertainment spectacles, despite their criminal associations, are worth preserving. Additionally, we will explore possible ways in which society can influence these organizations for the better.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

·       Recognize the key paradigms, concepts and terminology used in criminological debates concerning sports.

·       Understand data on financial crime and other illegal activities in relation to the international sports industry.

·       Reflect on the global dimensions of the contemporary sports industry and the geopolitical use made of international sports and related crimes. 

·       Connect individual cases of sport crime and students’ own observations to broader criminological forces.

·       Build critical analytical thinking skills and apply them orally and in writing.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Sport and Crime: Toward a Critical Criminology of SportMillward, Peter, Jan Andre Lee Ludvigsen, and Jonathan Sly. Routledgehttps://doi.org/10.4324/9781003276791 The students can purchase an ebook or hard copy. The ebook is less expensive.Hard Copy  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participationIt is understood that not every good student enjoys speaking in front of a class. Class participation is based on attendance and attention. Watching and/or playing with electronic items such as cell phones or with the Internet on your laptops is tantamount to not attending class. Smiling once-in-a-while is also appreciated. 5%
QuizA quiz (also known as a “quest” which is between a quiz and a test) comprises 25% of your grade. The quiz will be given on June 3rd. A study guide will be posted on Moodle by May 29th. 25%
Critical analysis paperA critical analysis paper, worth 35%, will be due on June 17th. A guideline is posted below. We will discuss the paper further and review possible topics in class on June 4th The structure of the papers will be as follows: 1. Introduction: - Provide an overview of the topic or issue that will be critically analyzed. - Clearly state the research question or the main focus of the paper. 2. Background and Context: - Provide necessary background information to help readers understand the topic. - Discuss the significance or relevance of the topic in the field of study. 3. Literature Review: - Review and summarize relevant scholarly articles, books, or other sources that provide different viewpoints or arguments related to the topic. - Identify key themes or debates within the literature. 4. Analysis: - Present and critically evaluate different perspectives, arguments, or theories related to the topic. - Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective or argument. - Use evidence, examples, and logical reasoning to support your analysis. 5. Synthesis: - Identify commonalities or patterns across the different perspectives or arguments. - Discuss any emerging trends, gaps, or unresolved issues in the literature. 6. Evaluation: - Evaluate the credibility and reliability of the sources used in the analysis. - Assess the strengths and limitations of each perspective or argument. - Make connections between the analysis and the broader implications or applications of the topic. 7. Conclusion: - Summarize the main findings and arguments presented in the paper. - Provide a concise conclusion that highlights the significance of the analysis and any recommendations for further research or action. 8. References: - Cite all the sources used in the paper using APA or MLA style. The papers should be double-spaced, with 12-font, and a minimum of six pages, not including the title and reference pages. The paper will be due on June 17th. 35%
Final ExamA final exam, worth 35% of your grade, will be given on Friday, June 21st. A study guide will be posted on Moodle by June 13th.. 35%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

 

 

SCHEDULE

CLASS

SUBJECT

READINGS

WEEK 1

May 20

Introduction to Sports & Crime

· Sports viewership: The U.S. vs. the Rest of the World

· The most popular sport in the U.S. is not played anywhere else.

· The most popular sport on the planet is a distant fourth in the U.S.

· Commercial impact of sports around the world

· Why talk about sports and crime?

“The Influence of the Construction of Time on the Major North American Sports: Will Soccer Infiltrate the American Sports Space?”

 

“America’s Cricket World Cup Runneth Over.”

May 21

Overview of sociological and criminological theories

Discussion: Do these theories apply to sports and crime?

· Rational Choice Theory

· Routine Activity Theory

· Learning Theory

· Differential Association Theory

· Attribution Theory

 

Read chapter 1 in Sport and crime: towards a critical criminology of sport.

May 22

Overview of sociological and criminological theories

Discussion: Do these theories apply to sports and crime?

· General Strain Theory

· Middle-Class Measuring Rod

· Reaction Formation

· Culture Conflict Theory

“The PGA Tour, PIF and understanding the deal to shape golf’s future.”

May 23

What’s at Stake?

The “lesser” sports with big financial impact—Golf and Motorsports, for example

 

Geopolitical ramifications of wealthy countries with a history of human rights violations entering the "arena of control”

 

For Monday, May 27th—read chapter 3 in Sport and crime: towards a critical criminology of sport.

Before Monday, May 27th watch “Moneyball.” It is available on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV

 

WEEK 2

May 27

From the 1918 Chicago “Black Sox” scandal to UNLV’s point-shaving in the 1990s…to Calciopoli, involving Italy’s top soccer teams to Belgium’s recent call for investigations of cheating in the 2023 World Cup in Qatar—a survey of prominent scandals in major global sports

“Belgian Inquiry into Qatar and Bribery Stuns European Parliament” - The New York Times

 

Read chapter seven in Sport and crime: towards a critical criminology of sport.

May 28

Olympic Violations & IOCC Corruption

 

Olympic Cheating:

· China

Olympic Doping:

· Russia

 

“A Timeline of Russia’s State-Sponsored Olympic Doping Scandal”

https://wapo.st/3QSt0Jz

May 29

Doping in Other Sports

· Tour de France

· Major League Baseball

· More on Russian doping

 

Watch Part I of Icarus, a 2017 documentary

“The Effect of Attribution on Athlete

Scandals: Consumer Responses Toward

Scandalized Athletes and Endorsements”

May 30

Finish Icarus

“Doping” vs. Illegal Drug Offenses

Chapter 5 in Sport and crime: towards a critical criminology of sport.

Study guide for June 3rd quiz available on Moodle

WEEK 3

June 3

Quiz/Quest

 

Introduction to Sports and Organized Crime

“Organized Crime and Sports Betting: A Global Comparison”

 

June 4

The Connection between Sports Betting and Organized Crime

Part I: Illegal Betting

“Betting My Life”

&

“These Are the Real Dangers of the Sports Betting Boom for Young Men”

June 5

The Connection between Sports Betting and Organized Crime

Part II: Online Betting; Offshore Rules

“The Involvement of Organised Crime Groups in Sports Corruption”

(Europol)

June 6

And now for something positive…

Social Control Theory and Its Positive Connections to Sports

Chapter 4 in Sport and crime: towards a critical criminology of sport.

“The Power of Sport to Make Positive Social Change.”

WEEK 4

June 10

Sports and Discrimination:

Race and Ethnicity

“The (Re)-Education of Colin Kaepernick, the social protest he led, and his quest to work in the National Football League”

June 11

Sports and Discrimination:

Gender

“The Kiss”

Title IX in the U.S.

“FIFA bans Spain's former soccer president for 3 years for unwanted World Cup kiss.”

“The Next Battleground for College Basketball: How to Divide the Money”

June 12

More Issues with Women in Sports: From Inequality to Derision to Victimization

 

June 13

Football Hooliganism

Police Management of Football Stadiums—Cooperation across the EU and the UK

“One Step Ahead: Defeating Football Hooligans Through Police Cooperation”

WEEK 5

June 17

PAPER IS DUE

 

Sports Fan Aggression in the United States

“The Promise of Violence”

 

June 18

Athletes and Violence:

On-field violations

Criminal or just part of the game?

Off-field violence committed by athletes

 

 

Excerpts from: “Pros and Cons, the Criminals Who Play in the NFL”

June 19

Too Big to Fail? When “Star” Athletes Commit Violence Crimes

Accusations of Domestic Violence and/or Sexual Assault Against Professional Athletes and their Consequences

“Throwing the Red Flag:

Assessing the NFL’s Policies on Domestic Violence Offenders.”

 

Excerpts from: “Out of Bounds: inside the NBA’s Culture of Rape, Violence, and Crime”

June 21

FINAL EXAM