Module SPRT3231: Applied Sociology of Sport and Exercise

Department: Sport and Exercise Sciences

SPRT3231: Applied Sociology of Sport and Exercise

Prerequisites

• 'Sport Culture and Society', Introduction to the Sociology of Sport, Sports Development, Sport, Health and the Environment

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To build on knowledge and understanding gained in the Level 1 modules 'Sport Culture and Society' and ‘Introduction to Sport and Exercise Industries’. To complement methodological and theoretical work undertaken in Level 2 modules (e.g., 'Sport Culture and Society', Introduction to the Sociology of Sport, Sports Development, Sport, Health and the Environment).
• To provide an applied and working understanding of key concepts and theories related to contemporary sociological debates in sport and exercise;
• To provide a forum in which students can actively utilize theoretical approaches within a framework of critical reasoning to comprehend the social construction of contemporary social problems in sport and exercise.

Content

• The module will be divided structurally into two sections.
• The first section (Term 1) is lecture-based (live and prerecorded) and will focus on contemporary issues in sport and exercise. Divided into (at least three) blocks, students will engage in debates related to social problems such as, for example, discrimination, violence, trauma, work, media, fandom, pedagogy, digital / virtual spaces, activism.
• 1. Sociology is located at the heart of the module, but the module also draws on an interdisciplinary framework, using literature from across the social sciences to understand contemporary social problems in sport and exercise.
• 2. Content will be delivered through a series of research-informed lectures, which will include applied case studies. Each lecture block will include i) a discussion of the issue under study and relevant theoretical frameworks and ii) an applied case study.
• The second section (Term 2) is student-led and places emphasis on contemporary social problems in sport and exercise and considers the ways in which different concepts and theories may apply to an understanding of them. Students are challenged to engage in comparative critical analyses deploying a range of sociological resources and relating them to real-world state of affairs in sport and exercise.

Learning Outcomes

• a critical understanding of sociological aspects of social problems in sport and exercise.
• an advanced, working comprehension of concepts and theories; and an ability to actively employ this knowledge to interrogate contemporary social problems and key debates in sport and exercise:
• a critical awareness of the part played by theory for the analysis and understanding of the complexity of social problems in sport and exercise.

• the ability to apply sociological concepts and theories with confidence;
• an ability to interrogate social problems in sport and exercise from a range of competing perspectives;
• an ability to interpret texts and to follow a theoretical argument.

• the capacity to think abstractly;
• the ability to collect, analyse and organise information and ideas and to convey those ideas clearly and fluently in writing and when engaged in oral debate;
• the ability to apply critical reasoning to sociological problems through independent thought and informed judgement;
• the ability to interact effectively with others in order to work towards a common outcome;
• the capacity to demonstrate effective communication and presentation skills;
• the ability to evaluate opinions, make decisions and reflect critically on justifications for decisions.

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

• The lectures in Term 1 will introduce students to sociological concepts, theories and contemporary debates related to sport and exercise and an appreciation of their relative strengths;
• The lectures will provide opportunities for students to consider alternative sociological perspectives on a range of social problems related to sport and exercise;
• The workshops in Term 2 will enable students to develop a competence in using a range of concepts and theoretical positions in the sociology of sport; and allow students to conduct an in-depth investigation of a specific social problem in sport and exercise;
• Students will construct and facilitate a seminar (as part of Term 2 workshops) that is designed to ensure fellow students are able to engage with their chosen social problems in sport and exercise and debate/examine the topic in question;
• The summative work (both individual and group-based) will test students' ability to research a specific social problem in sport and exercise;
• A formative piece of work will allow students to develop an essay plan related to a social problem in sport and exercise;
• Seminars in Term 1 will support and consolidate learning in relation to concepts and theories used to examine sociological problems related to sport and exercise.
• The seminars in Term 1 will also enable students to develop ideas related to all summative work.
• The seminars in Term 1 will enable staff to showcase models of good teaching practice, which students in Term 2 can draw from and emulate.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

500 word essay plan for summative assignment 1

■ 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