Scholar-Athlete: Sport and Society

Scholar-Athlete: Sport and Society (SO903-1C)

Participants in sports, athletes and fans alike, are more than just players in an American past time or a competition. Rather, they are part of a powerful social vehicle that demonstrates "inherent fundamental truths" central to the American identity. For example, this course will consider how sport perpetuates cultural values embedded in masculinity, with implications that far supersede the social arena of sport itself. Throughout the week, we will attempt to explain how the playing of sports in America both legitimizes and defines basic social ideologies (i.e. gender, sexuality, ethnicity) and chief social institutions (i.e. military, religion, education).

Discussions and debates will play a central role as we attempt to resolve questions including: Why do certain ethnic groups seem to dominate certain sports, or certain positions on teams? Why do men and women observe different sets of rules for similar sports? Why do religion and morality have such a powerful influence on athletics in general? Short reading assignments will help foster discussion, with each day focused on a different topic.

• Please Note: To register for Scholar-Athlete, you must choose one academic course and one sport (Fencing,Swimming or Tennis).