SOC 233/PE 245 Syllabus Fall 2001

SPORT & MODERN S0CIETY

9:35-10:50 Tuesdays & Thursdays

Faner 1326

Professor Rob Benford Faner 3398

Office Hours: 1:00-3:00 Tues. & Thurs., 453-7614

9:00-11:00 Wed., or by appointment Email:

rbenford@siu.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to provide you with an in-depth overview of the sociology of sport. Sport is a social phenomenon. Like other forms of human behavior, it reveals regular and recurrent patterns. Sport has become highly organized, institutionalized, bureaucratized, and commercialized. And as with all major institutions, sport affects and is affected by other social institutions. For example, technology has standardized sport, created new sports, increased spectator interest and access, made sport a media event, and produced new levels of excellence in sport. Sport is often described as a microcosm of society. Consequently, sport offers an opportunity to study pervasive social problems such as substance abuse, sexism, racism, inequality, and violence. Sport is not only an arena in which athletic contests occur, it is an arena in which social values are contested and transformed. And finally, sport is ubiquitous--found in all societies from the most "primitive" to the most complex.

The study of these and related topics is referred to as the sociology of sport. The sociology of sport is a relatively recent endeavor--no longer a "rookie," but certainly not yet a seasoned veteran either. Over the past two decades, scholars have begun to recognize the critical impact of sport on society. This has yielded considerable systematic research and the development of new theories. In this course, we will critically examine some of that research, review recent empirical findings, and discuss classical and contemporary social theories related to sport.

The goals of this course include: 1) to provide you with an opportunity to augment your communication skills; 2) to promote interest in and excitement about the systematic study of social institutions such as sport; 3) to introduce you to sociological concepts and theories which help to illuminate the sociology of sport; and 4) to develop an understanding of and an appreciation for human diversity and commonalities in the context of sport.

EXPECTATIONS

I anticipate that the students in this class come from a variety of academic backgrounds. I do not expect, then, that you are coming equipped with a thorough training in sociological ideas and thinking. I do expect, though, that you have a broad-based liberal arts education, with some expertise in writing, analysis, and research techniques. In addition, as cultural actors, I expect that you are active participants in your everyday worlds and will be able to relate common experiences to the more generic ideas that we discuss in class. In this way, I hope to create an intellectual forum that will allow us all to learn from each other. This should create a classroom atmosphere that is intellectually stimulating, exciting, and fun.



COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Required Texts:

Sport in Society: Issues & Controversies, 7^th ed., Jay Coakley, 2001; [JC]

The Stronger Women Get, The More Men Love Football: Sexism and the American Culture of Sports, Mariah Burton Nelson, 1994; [MBN]

Little Girls in Pretty Boxes: The Making and Breaking of Elite Gymnasts and Figure Skaters, Warner Books Edition, Joan Ryan, 2000; [JR]

Beyond the Cheers: Race as Spectacle in Sport, C. Richard King & Charles Fruehling Springwood, 2001; [K&S]

Lectures, class discussions, organized debates, guest speakers, films, assignments, and readings are organized so as to complement and supplement each other. You are therefore expected to remain current with the reading schedule in order to maximize your benefits from and contributions to the course.

2. Attendance and Participation: You are expected to attend class on a regular basis and to participate actively and thoughtfully in class discussions. 10% of your grade

3. Assignments: Considerable emphasis will be placed on learning by doing. You will be required to complete three challenging but enjoyable out-of-class assignments involving research. 15% (5% each)

4. Debates: There will be four organized debates on selected topics. You will be required to collaborate with 2-4 other students to develop a 10-minute research-based presentation on one side of one debate. 10%

5. Exams: There will be three in-class exams during the session consisting of a mixture of multiple choice, true-false, short answer, and essay questions. Exams will include material from lectures and discussions as well as from the assigned readings. 45% (15% per exam)

6. Term Paper: You will be required to prepare a brief (6-10 double-spaced, typed pages) term paper on a topic related to the course. Details will be distributed by the end of the third week. Papers are due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, November 27. 20%

IMPORTANT POLICIES

1. Make-Up/Late Policy: Research papers and out-of-class assignments will be reduced by 10% per calendar day you submit them late. Make-up exams are allowed only if you present a written excused absence from a qualified professional. All make-up exams will be essays.

2. Cheating: All SIUC policies regarding plagiarism and academic dishonesty will be upheld in this course. A grade of "0" will be recorded for all works in which you were found to have been involved in any acts of academic dishonesty. If you are not familiar with the definitions and consequences of cheating or with your rights, refer to your Student Conduct Code, see an academic advisor, or ask me.

3. Grade Appeals: Any student who believes that she or he has been graded unfairly may appeal that grade following standard university procedures. Certain procedural rights are guaranteed to all students charged with academic dishonesty who are subject to disciplinary action. These rights are outlined in theStudent Conduct Code.

COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS

Date	Topic	Reading
8/21	Sport in Society
8/23	Social Theories of Sport	"The Study of Sport: What is It and Why Study It" [JC 1] "Using Social Theories: What Can They Tell Us About Sports in Society?" [JC 2]
8/28	Social History of Sport	"A Look at the Past: Does It Help Us Understand Sports Today?" [JC 3] "We Don't Like Football Do We?" [MBN 1] "Feminism and Football: Then and Now" [MBN 2]
8/30	Culture and Sport	"Stronger Women" [MBN 3]"Introduction" [JR] "If It Isn't Bleeding, Don't Worry About It: Injuries" [JR 1]
9/4	Socialization and Sport	"Sports and Socialization" Who Plays and What Happens to Gender Socialization Them?" [JC 4] In & Through Sport "Boys Will Be Boys and Girls Will Not" [MBN 4] Assignment 1 Due: "They Stole Her Soul and They Still Have It: Eating Disorders [JR 2] Sports Socialization "Be Thin and Win: Image" [JR 3]
9/6	Sports and Children	"Sports and Children: Are Organized Programs Worth the Effort?" [JC 5] "Do It for America: Pressure" [JR 4] "We All Became Junkies: Parents" [JR 5]
9/11	Deviance, Social Problems & Sport	"Deviance in Sports: Is It Out of Control?" [JC 6]
9/13	Performance-Enhancing Drugs
9/18	Violence and Sport	"Violence in Sports: How Does It Effect Our Lives?" [JC 7] Debate 1: Do sports requiring physical aggression tend to lead to physical aggression beyond the sport?
9/20	Sexual Assault and Sport	"Scoring: What's Sex Got to Do with It?" [MBN 5] Guest Speaker: TBA "Men in Tight Pants Embracing" [MBN 6] Assignment 2 Due: "Sexual Assault as a Spectator Sport" [MBN 7] Sports Deviance Research "My Coach Says He Loves Me" [MBN 8]
9/25		FIRST EXAM
9/27	Sex, Gender, and Sports	"Gender and Sports: Does Equity Require Ideological Changes?" [JC 8]
10/2	Title IX: Intended and Unintended Consequences	Debate 2: Should women and men be provided the same opportunities to participate in intercollegiate athletics?
10/4	Gender Equity Report Card Sexism and Sport	"How a Woman is Supposed to Act" [MBN 9] "The Locker Room" [MBN 10] Assignment 3 Due: Content Analysis of the Gendered Coverage of Sports by Print Media
10/9	Race, Ethnicity and Sport	"Race and Ethnicity: Are They Important in Sports?" [JC 9] "Posting Up: Introductory Notes in Race, Sports, and Post- America" [K&S 1] "White Out: Erasures of Race in College Athletics" [K&S 2]
10/11	Sports Logos	"'Kill the Indians, Save the Chief': Native American Mascots and Debate 3: Are academic standards for athletes racist? Imperial Identities" [K&S 3] "Sammy Seminole, Jim Crow, Osceola: Playing Indian and Racial Hierarchy at Florida State University" [K&S 4]
10/16	Racism and Sport	"Body and Soul: Physicality, Disciplinarity, and the Video: Journey of the African Overdetermination of Blackness" [K&S 5] American Athlete "Of Rebels and Leprechauns: Longing, Passing, and the Stagings of Whiteness" [K&S 6] "Postcolonial Arenas: The Dis-Ease of Desire in America" [K&S 7]
10/18	Stacking: Institutionalized Racism In Sport Racial Report Card
10/23	Social Class, Status & Sports	"Social Class: Do Money and Power Matter in Sports?" [JC 10]
10/25		SECOND EXAM
11/6		Interscholastic Athletics: Benefits "Sports in High School and College: Do Varsity Sport Programs Contribute to Education?" [JC 14 read pp. 417-437]
11/8	Problems, Dilemmas & Controversies In High School Athletics
11/13	Intercollegiate Athletics	"Sports in High School and College: Do Varsity Sport Programs Contribute to Education?" [JC 14 read pp. 437-455]
11/15	Political Economy of College Athletics	Video: Sports for Sale
11/20	College Athletics: Structure & Reforms	Debate 4: Should college athletes be paid?
11/27	Cycles of Reform: Carnegie, Knight I Drake Group, Knight II	TERM PAPERS DUE
11/29	Political Economy of Pro Sports	"Sports and the Economy: What Are the Characteristics of Commercial Sports?" [JC 11]
12/4	Sports, Politics, & the Olympics	"Sports and Politics: How Do Governments and Globalization Influence Sports?" [JC13] "The Game Within the Game: Politics and Money" [JR 6] "Whatever It Takes: Coaches" [JR 7] "The Aftermath: An Update" [JR 8]
12/6		Video: Fists of Freedom Course Evaluation
12/11		12:50 pm THIRD EXAM