10583 Sport and Society 1
Credits: 6 advanced credits in Sociology & Anthropology
Prerequisites: 36 credits, including one of the following: Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to the Social Sciences, Introduction to Anthropology, Introduction to Mass Media. Students must also fulfill all English requirements and take bibliographic instruction in the Library.
Authors: Yair Galili, Amir Ben Porat and Ron Lidor. The material includes a reader with a selection of classical works in the field.
The course deals with the position and role of sport in modern and post-modern society and examines the relationship between sports events and the structure and development of society. In order to provide a comprehensive explanation of the nature, function and problems of modern sport, the course integrates various disciplines (sociology, communication, psychology and political science) and diverse theories.
The course discusses a wide-range of issues and studies that shaped the field, and exposes students to key theories in the study of sport and society. Students are expected to apply critical thinking and to analyze central phenomena in local and global sport, while deepening their acquaintance with current research literature and with related studies. Each section of the text rests on a discussion of a classical work (a chapter or an article).
Topics: What is sport? Why should it be studied? Has it changed over time?; Theories in the study of sport and society; The globalization process and the globalization of sport; Sport, ethnicity and nationalism; Sport and gender: Is sport “masculine territory”?; The commercialization of sport: Sport and economics; Sport, politics and the state; Sport in Israel: Development, trends and professionalization; Sport and the mass media; Sport, education and leisure; Fair play and violence in modern sport; The relationship between sport and science: Preparedness for the game and for competition.
1Students may write a seminar paper in this course, although it is not required.