Course Summary
This course explores the relationship between sports and society, examining how sports reflect and shape social and cultural norms.Key Learning Points
- Understand the impact of sports on society and culture
- Examine the role of race, gender, and sexuality in sports
- Analyze the business and economic aspects of sports
Job Positions & Salaries of people who have taken this course might have
- Sports Analyst
- USA: $50,000 - $100,000
- India: INR 8,00,000 - INR 15,00,000
- Spain: €30,000 - €60,000
- Sports Journalist
- USA: $30,000 - $80,000
- India: INR 3,00,000 - INR 10,00,000
- Spain: €20,000 - €40,000
- Sports Event Manager
- USA: $40,000 - $100,000
- India: INR 4,00,000 - INR 15,00,000
- Spain: €25,000 - €60,000
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the relationship between sports and society
- Analyze the impact of race, gender, and sexuality in sports
- Evaluate the business and economic aspects of sports
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Interest in sports and its impact on society
- Basic knowledge of social and cultural norms
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Self-paced
- Online
- Video lectures
- Assignments
Similar Courses
- Sports Marketing
- Sports Management
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Bill Simmons
- Jemele Hill
Related Books
Description
Sports play a giant role in contemporary society worldwide. But few of us pause to think about the larger questions of money, politics, race, sex, culture, and commercialization that surround sports everywhere. This course draws on the tools of anthropology, sociology, history, and other disciplines to give you new perspectives on the games we watch and play. It's the new and improved version of Professor Orin Starn's original "Sports and Society" for Coursera, which drew more than 40,000 students. We will focus on both popular sports like soccer (or “football,” as anyone outside America calls it), basketball, and baseball, and also lesser-known ones like mountain-climbing and fishing. You will never watch or think about sports in the same way again.
Outline
- Getting Started! Games, Play, and Sports
- Understanding Play and Sports, Part 1
- Understanding Play and Sports, Part 2
- Why Do We Like to Play? Part 1
- Why Do We Like to Play? Part 2
- The Origins of Modern Sports, Part 1
- The Origins of Modern Sports, Part 2
- Capoeira
- The Course Basics (note: all essential class information here!!!)
- Links to Course Readings
- List of Key Terms
- Grading Policy
- About the Instructor
- The Sports and Society Book Club (optional)
- The Sports and Society Movie Club (optional)
- Week 1 Quiz
- Globalization, Nationalism, and the Politics of Sports
- The Globalization of Sports
- Nationalism and Sports, Part 1
- Nationalism and Sports, Part 2
- Athletes and Social Activism, Part 1
- Athletes and Social Activism, Part 2
- American Football, Part 1
- American Football, Part 2
- Week 2 Quiz
- Race, Cultural Identity, and the Sports World
- Race and American Sports, Part 1
- Race and American Sports, Part 2
- The Native American Mascot Controversy
- The Social Demographics of Sports, Part 1
- The Social Demographics of Sports, Part 2
- Zidane and Bruce Lee, Part 1
- Zidane and Bruce Lee, Part 2
- Golf, Part 1
- Golf, Part 2
- Week 3 Quiz
- Gender, Sexuality, and the Rise of Women's Sports
- A Short History of Women’s Sports, Part 1
- A Short History of Women’s Sports, Part 2
- Women’s Sports Today, Part 1
- Women’s Sports Today, Part 2
- The Long Sporting Life of Homophobia, Part 1
- The Long Sporting Life of Homophobia, Part 2
- The Transgender Athlete
- The Fitness Revolution, Part 1
- The Fitness Revolution, Part 2
- Week 4 Quiz
- Why Do We Care So Much about Sports?
- The Phenomenon of the Fan, Part 1
- The Phenomenon of the Fan, Part 2
- The Dark Side of Fandom
- Father Time and the Athlete
- American College Sports, Part 1
- American College Sports, Part 2
- Week 5 Quiz
- The Megabusiness of Sports
- The Hypercommercialization of Sports, Part 1
- The Hypercommercialization of Sports, Part 2
- The Rise of Sports Video Games, Part 1
- The Rise of Sports Video Games, Part 2
- Week 6 Quiz
- Outdoor Sports, Extreme Sports, and the Search for Adventure
- Outdoor Sports, Part 1
- Outdoor Sports, Part 2
- The Strange Case of Extreme Sports, Part 1
- The Strange Case of Extreme Sports, Part 2
- Skateboarding
- Conclusion
- Week 7 Quiz
Summary of User Reviews
Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The course is highly engaging and provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationships between sports and society.Pros from User Reviews
- The course covers a wide range of topics related to sports and society, including gender, race, politics, and economics.
- The instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter.
- The course materials are well-organized and easy to navigate.
- The discussions and assignments are thought-provoking and help students develop critical thinking skills.
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the workload to be overwhelming, especially for those who have other commitments.
- The course may be too basic for those who already have a strong background in sociology or sports studies.
- The forum discussions can be difficult to follow at times, especially when there are a lot of participants.
- The quizzes and exams can be challenging and require a lot of preparation.
- The course is not always up-to-date with the latest research and trends in the field.
Orin Starn
4.8 Raiting
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