Module SPRT1271: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT

Department: Sport and Exercise Sciences

SPRT1271: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• Provides an introduction to social issues and sociological enquiry that forms the basis for subsequent modules at Level 2 and Level 3.
• On completion of this module, students will have acquired a basic knowledge and understanding of the place and significance of sport in society; how sport can impact upon the lives of people in contemporary society; and how social processes influence the structure and organisation of sport.
• Students will be introduced to, and should gain an appreciation of, the distinctive sociological approaches to sport through a consideration of the significance and prevalence of sport in contemporary society.

Content

• This module will introduce you to the sociological study of sport through a consideration of the significance and prevalence of sport in contemporary society and an examination of a range of issues that concern sport in society. The following areas will be investigated:
• The role, meaning and function of sport in society.
• Issues concerning the stratification of sport in society which could include socio-economic status, gender, race and ethnicity, and disability.
• Contemporary issues and problems in sport.
• The distinctiveness of the sociological approach to sport.
• An introduction to sociological theory and key concepts and their application to sport.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the role, meaning and function of sport in society and examine why sport matters.
• Discuss some of the contemporary issues that impact upon the participation, performance and administration of sport in society.
• Explain how participation in sport can enable and constrain the everyday lives of people in contemporary society.
• Identify the basic tenets of sociological theory and key sociological concepts and their applicability to sport.
• Explain the social relations of sport from a sociological perspective.

• Develop an understanding of distinctive sociological approaches to sport and be able to draw on and interpret sociological research studies to understand the place and significance of sport in society.
• Reflect on how sport can impact upon the lives of individuals, groups and communities and explain issues concerning the stratification of sport in society.

• Demonstrate the ability to search for academic literature, as well as reading and presenting evidence from a range of academic sources.
• Time management and independent learning.
• Be able to work collaboratively as part of a small group.
• Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills.

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

• Staff-led content, including individual and group-based activities will establish the theoretical underpinnings, approaches, perspectives and research regarding the significance of sport in contemporary society.
• Interactive group activities will enable students to expand their enquiry into the role and significance of sport in society.
• Independently, students will be required to invest time in directed reading, research activities, group-based activity preparation and study tasks.
• The formative and summative modes of assessment are academic written pieces of work that will be used to assess the ability of students to research and report on specific aspects addressed within the module.
• The summative examination will require students to review all work undertaken in the module and demonstrate an ability to respond to specific questions/issues that have been raised within the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Written assignment (1000 words).

■ 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