Module SPRT2301: Sport, Physical Activity and Society

Department: Sociology (Sport)

SPRT2301: Sport, Physical Activity and Society

Prerequisites

• SPRT1311 Introduction to Physical Activity or SPRT1271 Sport, Culture and Society.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To engage students in a sociological exploration of critical issues around sports participation and physical activity/inactivity;
• To discuss the social determinants of physical activity and physical inactivity;
• To provide students with an understanding of the environmental and social determinants of physical activity and physical inactivity;
• To draw on a historical framework to consider issues of inequality, especially in relation to issues of gender and social class and to consider change and continuities between the past and present in relation to sport, physical activity and structural issues of inequality;
• To analyse government-supported initiatives on physical activity, including the Active People Survey;
• To identify and assess social and economic factors influencing the promotion of physical activity;
• To identify and analyse issues around sport and physical activity in different populations (e.g. children, older adults, ethnic minority groups, etc.);
• To critically consider the role of physical education and other formative sporting experiences and examine how these experiences may channel young people into or away from leading a physically active lifestyle;
• To draw together interdisciplinary approaches, including those from sociology, physical education and history to explore sport and physical activity in society.

Content

• The module aims to provide students with an understanding of critical issues around sports participation and physical activity/inactivity. An interdisciplinary approach will be taken to develop students' knowledge and understanding of sport and physical activity. The module will critically consider sport and physical activity in different population groups and will examine structural issues of inequality in physical activity/inactivity.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop an understanding of critical issues around sports participation and physical activity from empirical research;
• Develop a critical understanding of the social determinants of health and physical activity and inactivity.
• Develop a critical understanding of the use of sports history to contribute to an understanding of inequalities in physical activity today and critically examine change and continuities between the past and present in relation to sport, physical activity and structural issues of inequality.

• Critically examine physical activity behaviour in specific populations;
• Draw upon qualitative and quantitative empirical research from the social sciences to understand the practical and social issues relating to sport and physical activity participation;
• Develop the ability to draw upon interdisciplinary approaches (including those from sociology, history and physical education) to address critical issues around sports participation and physical activity/inactivity.

• Reading, interpreting, critiquing and presenting an evidence base;
• Analyse and solve problems;
• Present data and design interventions;
• Time management and independent learning;
• Written communication;
• Use information technology.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures, seminars/workshops, independent study;
• Lectures will introduce students to the basic concepts & key theories underpinning sport, exercise participation and physical activity;
• Seminars / Workshops will include interactive group activities where students will discuss the relative merits of specific theories, assessment tools and empirical research;
• Independent study: in addition to timetabled contact, students will be required to invest time in directed reading, research activities, seminar preparation & study tasks;
• A formative and summative assessment will allow students to research and report on specific areas addressed within the module;
• A summative exam tests the breadth and range of understanding and application of the learning outcomes for this module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1 x 1000 words essay (Optional).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University