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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "HS-RS-H 378"
COURSE NAME: "Sport, Politics and Society in the Modern World- HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Vanda Wilcox
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 10:00AM 11:15AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: One previous history course. Co-requisites: EN 110; Recommended: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
History Research Seminar
The course will give students a general history of the development of
modern sports in the nineteenth and twentieth century, and introduce
students to some of the core theoretical models for analyzing sports,
including some of the main sociological theories of sport. Sports will
also be analyzed for their ability to offer an insight into many
historical issues, such as the nature of totalitarian regimes,
international relations, the lasting influence of colonial empire or the
construction and maintenance of national identity in newly independent
nations. The course will consider the way sports shape, and are in turn
shaped by, questions of race, gender, and class. Exploring a variety of
sports and time periods with a global perspective, the course will use
case studies from Italy and other European countries, the USA, and
non-Western cultures. This course will focus on a selection of different
historical and political realities – and a variety of sports – to
assess some of the intersections between sport, politics, and society.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
NB THE SYLLABUS FOR THE STANDARD SECTION OF THE CLASS IS THE ONE WHICH APPLIES TO ALL STUDENTS INCLUDING HONOURS STUDENTS. IN CASE OF DISCREPANCIES PLEASE CONSULT THE HS-RS-378 SYLLABUS NOT THIS ONE
Some of sport’s greatest historical moments - Jesse Owens’ Olympic triumph in 1936, or the ‘Miracle on Ice’ – were in fact about politics. The relationship between sport and politics, economics, society and culture is fascinating and complex. Studying sport can offer us a way to examine totalitarian regimes in Germany and Italy, an angle for considering international relations or insight into the construction and maintenance of national identity in newly independent nations. Issues about race, empire, gender and class can all be explored within the context of professional and amateur sport. This course will focus on a selection of different historical and political realities – and a variety of sports – to assess some of the intersections between sport, politics and society. Taking a global perspective, we will examine a wide variety of case studies from Italy, other European societies and the USA, but non-Western cultures will also be important. The end of European empires has often witnessed acts of ‘post-colonial revenge’ on the sports field, and offers a way to look at post-imperial power dynamics away from high politics. Sports discussed include athletics, cricket, soccer, baseball, gaelic sports, water polo, cycling and more besides.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be encouraged to think critically about sport and the values, traditions and expectations which are linked to sport; to illustrate some of the political and social roles sport has played in the twentieth century; to gain a fuller understanding of the history of amateur and professional sports and their significance. We will both explore the history of sport and use sport as a starting point to investigate other, related topics.
Through the primary focus is always historical, the course will explore contemporary issues relating to international relations, globalization, sociology and mass culture.
By the end of the course students should:
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understand the historical development of organised sport in the Western World;
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be able to reflect on some of the key interactions between sport and politics in the twentieth century;
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be able to critically examine the social role which sport has historically played in various circumstances;
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have a new insight into the sports cultures of their own society;
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have a new insight into their own situation as fans and consumers of sport.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Reading response and discussion | This is a seminar, requireing regular and active participation in class discussions. This includes
- leading class discussions on assigned readings;
- showing clear evidence in class of having completed reading assignments;
- participating regularly in moodle discussions
This is NOT a grade for attendance, failure to participate actively means you will FAIL this portion of the class. | 20% |
| Paper on fascist sport | Based on assigned readings and class discussion students will write a 1600-1800 word paper on sport in Fascist Italy. | 15% |
| Paper on cricket in the West Indies | Students will write a 1600-1800 word paper analysing C.L.R. James, ‘Beyond a Boundary’ (1963). | 15% |
| Independent Research paper | A 2500-3000 word independent research paper on a historical topic of your choice, agreed with the instructor.
| 30% |
| Final Exam | Based on close analysis of readings assigned and discussed during the semester. | 20% |
-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 displays originality of thought. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course, leading to written work of an excellent quality. This is an exceptional grade only achieved by a minority of students.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions. Written work shows a good level of research and reading beyond the required assignments. This is a good grade reflecting hard work and ability.
C This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings only. Written work shows a minimum level of research with no real reading around the topic. It is generally competent but offers little originality, or it may have confused elements.
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. Written work shows little evidence of research, lacks citations or cites unacceptable sources (e.g. websites not specifically authorised by the instructor for use).
F This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant or fails to fulfill the assignment criteria
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
More than 3 unauthorised absences will cause your final overall grade to be reduced (ie. A- to B+, B+ to B etc) while more than 6 unauthorised absences will reduce the grade one full letter (A to B, B to C etc). An excused absence requires a doctor's note or official evidence that you have had an illness, family emergency or legal obligation which prevents you from attending class. Please bring or email this notification directly to me unless there is a good reason not to, otherwise please go to the Faculty Support Office in the Guarini Campus.
Travel plans, or mistakes in travel plans, are not an acceptable reason for missing class.
Students must sign in on the class attendance sheet at the start of each class. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of class will be recorded as absent. Please be punctual. Attendance records are based on the sign-in sheet so it is your responsibility to make sure you sign it every class.
It is not possible to arrange make-ups for mid-term or final exams. See catalogue for further details.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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1. Introduction: definitions of sport
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2. Sport vs Play; why study sport?
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3. Origins of sport from the classical to the early modern world
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4. The “civilising process” in the 18th and 19th centuries
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5. Codification and governance
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6. Social norms and the birth of “sporting values”
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7. US sports: divergence and development
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8. Origins of the Modern Olympics
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9. Sport & Fascism in Italy
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10. Fascist Sport in practice
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11. Sport in Nazi Germany
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12. The 1936 Berlin Olympics: Sport as propaganda
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13. Cricket and the British Empire: an introduction
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14. Cricket and the West Indies
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15. Sport & the Cold War I: the 1956 Olympics
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16. ‘Beyond a Boundary’ discussion session
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17. Sport & the Cold War II: propaganda and nation-building in the Soviet bloc
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18. Sport & the Cold War III: the 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ and the boycott movement
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19. Supporter Cultures and the media
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20. Sporting heroes and race relations in the USA
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21. Personal heroes, fandom and values
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22. Sport and national identity
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23. Gaelic sports and fan culture in Ireland
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24. Introduction to football hooliganism
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25. Italian football culture
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26. Theoretical and practical approaches to ultras and hooligans
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27. Sport and business: the politics of modern sports business
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28. Conclusions
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