Syllabus
Details and relevant materials are available on Moodle: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=4504 (the syllabus will be finalized by 15 February 2021)
Course description
This course provides an introduction to the sociology of sport. The social sphere of sport is approached as a "serious" and sociologically relevant social sphere that cannot be equated only with fun and leisure. The main objective of this course, divided equally into lectures and seminars, is to equip students with basic conceptual and heuristic tools to carry out a critical and theoretically informed scrutiny of sport-related topics. The course focuses on major historical developments of the sub-discipline of the sociology of sport, provides students with an overview of key scholars in the field, reviews main theoretical concepts and outlines the links between sports sociology and general sociological theory. Particular attention is given to the relationship between sports and politics, mass media, identities, globalisation, environment, civil society, and social stratification.
Course credits: 7 ECTS
Type of Completion: Exam (Zk) (based on assessment methods)
Assessment methods: 1) presentation - teamwork (15 minutes long) – 10 points max 2) 2 position papers for seminars (compulsory texts-related commentaries, to be uploaded on Friday the latest in the week before seminars) – 6 points max (3 points max for each) 3) 4 questions related to compulsory literature - 4 points max (1 point for each) 4) final test (A, B, C, D - one choice) - based on lectures and compulsory literature – 18 points 5) final essay outline - 6 points max 6) final essay (around 1800 words long, (+-10%)) – 56 points max
The tasks will be specified based on the number of students enrolled in the course during the registration period.
IMPORTANT: To pass the Final Exam, the essay has to be evaluated with at least 29 points. Furthermore, all assignments have to be submitted and accepted.
The final essay has to include references to at least three academic articles on sport not listed among compulsory readings.
Grading System 91 - 100 points: A - excellent (outstanding performance with only minor mistakes) 81 - 90 points: B - very good (above average performance with some mistakes) 71 - 80 points: C - good (overall good performance with a number of notable mistakes) 61 - 70 points: D - satisfactory (acceptable performance with significant mistakes) 51 - 60 points: E - sufficient (performance fulfils only minimum criteria) less than 51 points: F - insufficient/failed (more effort needs to be made)
Teaching methods: Lectures and seminars (lectures given by Dino Numerato and Eva Soares Moura, seminars lead by Eva Soares Moura, Kristína Orszaghová)
Participation in seminars is compulsory. Only one absence is tolerated. However, given the pandemic situation, alternative solutions could be agreed individually in some exceptional situations.
Timetable
Lectures: Monday (bi-weekly) 14.00 - 15.20, Online: https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/94686016937
Seminars: Monday (bi-weekly) 14.00 - 15.20, Online, specific by seminar leaders
Week 1 (15 February): Lecture 1: Course introduction, Main theoretical approaches and conceptual frameworks
Dino Numerato
This introductory lecture will provide a brief overview of the course. The utility of sociological perspective for the understanding of contemporary sport will be demonstrated on several timely examples. This lecture will discuss the first academic reflections of leisure and modern sport and the origins of the sociology of sport as a sociological sub-discipline. This lecture will provide an overview of main sociological theories used to understand the contemporary sport and its developments, in particular, the theories as follows: functionalist theory, conflict theory, interpretative sociology, figurational theory, Marxism and neo-Marxism, cultural studies, feminist theory, post-structuralism and postcolonial theories.
Week 2 (22 February): Seminar 1
Discussing literature and assignments, presentations
Compulsory reading 1 and 2
Donnelly, P. (2003). Sport and Social Theory. In B. Houlihan (Ed.), In Sport and Society: A Student Introduction (pp. 11‐27). London: Sage.Guttmann, A. (2000). The Development of Modern Sports. In J. J. Coakley & E. Dunning (Eds.), Handbook of Sports Studies (pp. 248‐259). London: Sage.
Week 3 (1 March): Lecture 2: Sport and Social Divisions
Eva Soares Moura
This lecture will be focused on the role of sport as both a mirror and a vehicle of broader processes of social stratification. The role of sport as a vehicle of both social inclusion and social exclusion will be discussed. Particular attention will be given to Bourdieu's concept of the social field of sport and the role of economic and cultural capital. This lecture will also be focused on the construction and reproduction of social identities through sport and physical activities. Particular attention will be given to gender, race and ethnic identities as well as to disability.
Week 4 (8 March): Seminar 2
Discussing literature and assignments, presentations
Compulsory reading 3 and 4
Pfister, G. (2010). Women in sport – gender relations and future perspectives, Sport in Society, 13(2), 234-248.
Purdue, D. E., & Howe, P. D. (2012). See the sport, not the disability: exploring the Paralympic paradox. Qualitative research in sport, exercise and health, 4(2), 189-205
Week 5 (15 March) Lecture 3: Communities, civil society and subcultures
Dino Numerato
This lecture will discuss the importance of sport for local communities and civil society. The second part of the lecture will discuss the links between sport and politics.
Week 6 (22 March): Seminar 3
Discussing literature and assignments, presentations
Compulsory reading 5 and 6
Numerato, D. (2009). Revisiting Weber's Concept of Disenchantment: an examination of the re-enchantment with sailing in the post-communist Czech Republic. Sociology, 43(3), 439-456.
Brown, A. (2008). ‘Our Club, our rules’: fan communities at FC United of Manchester. Soccer & Society, 9(3), 346-358.
Week 7 (29 March): Lecture 4: Political Economy of Sport and Globalisation
Dino Numerato
This lecture will present the development of sport in the global context. Globalisation in relation to sport will be understood both as a process and as an outcome. Technological, social, economic, media and ideological aspects of globalisation will be discussed. Moreover, particular attention will be given to alter-globalisation initiatives in and through sport. Particular attention will be given to commercialisation and commodification of sport in the neoliberal context. Particular attention will be given to the role of the mass media in the construction of sport heroes and celebrities.
Week 8 (5 April): Easter / Bank Holiday
Week 9 (12 April): Seminar 4
Discussing literature and assignments, presentations
Compulsory reading 7 and 8
Ivester, S. (2017) Removal, resistance and the right to the Olympic city: The case of Vila Autodromo in Rio de Janeiro. Journal of Urban Affairs, 39(7): 970-985.
*Scherer, J., & Jackson, S. J. (2008). Cultural Studies and the Circuit of Culture: Advertising, Promotional Culture and the New Zealand All Blacks. Cultural Studies Critical Methodologies, 8(4), 507-526.
* Before reading the text, please, watch the video first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GInerC8gtZA&ab_channel=rupenicaucau
Week 10
Annotation
This course provides an introduction to the sociology of sport. The social sphere of sport is approached as a "serious" and sociologically relevant social sphere that cannot be equated only with fun and leisure.
The main objective of this course, divided equally into lectures and seminars, is to equip students with basic conceptual and heuristic tools to carry out a critical and theoretically informed scrutiny of sport-related topics. The course focuses on major historical developments of the sub-discipline of the sociology of sport, provides students with an overview of key scholars in the field, reviews main theoretical concepts and outlines the links between sports sociology and general sociological theory.
Particular attention is given to the relationship between sports and politics, mass media, identities, globalisation, environment, civil society, and social stratification.