module specification

This module challenges students to engage in an in-depth exploration of critical issues surrounding the regulation and governance of the contemporary sports industry and the challenges it faces.

1. To understand the legal framework that regulates the contemporary sports industry.
2. To identify principles and practices of good governance and understand how they can be achieved.
3. To present examples of bad governance and corruption and how they can be avoided.
4. To consider contemporary issues in sport within legal, ethical and conceptual frameworks.
5. To explore a series of in-depth case studies of contemporary challenges facing the sports industry.
6. To develop student’s ability to investigate complex phenomenon and present their findings.
7. To extend student’s ability to critically analyse sources of information.

Sport and the law
The European Union and sport.
The governance of sport.
Principles of good governance
Issues and examples of bad governance
Introduction to ethics.
Corruption in sport.
Doping in sport.
Cheating in sport.
Gambling and sport.
Match fixing in sport.
Athlete protection.
Human rights and sporting mega-events.
Athlete behaviour.

The module will be delivered through weekly workshops and will utilise a wide variety of different teaching techniques. As well as ‘traditional’ lecture delivery, these techniques will include (but not be limited to) documentary film, conference papers, site visits, student debates and student-led workshops. The philosophy behind this strategy is to maximise student engagement with topics and challenge them to develop critical and innovate attitudes towards key issues.

The module will encourage students to build on the knowledge, skills and attributed they have acquired at levels 4 and 5 and to carry out independent work which enhances both their knowledge and understanding of the industry and enhances their employment prospects.

In addition, the module will be supported with on-line support. Key student responsibilities will include preparation for sessions (primarily through engagement with the key literature) and active participation in in-class activities. Students must also recognise that the module will be more student-driven than they may have experienced at levels 4 and 5, and that full preparation and engagement are required in all sessions.

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. place developments in contemporary sport within their broader legal, ethical and political context
2. explain what good governance is and how it should be achieved.
3. critically evaluate governance practices and factors influencing governance decisions.
4. appreciate the ethical dimensions of the sports business and come to an ethical position in relation to sports practices
5. critically analyse and appraise academic literature relating to current issues in sport
6. deliver an interactive workshop dealing with a controversial contemporary issue related to the sports industry

It also aims to develop students’ skills, in particular:

• Academic Reading
• Researching
• Application of Knowledge and Presenting Data
• Academic Writing/literacy
• Communicating/presenting – orally and in writing, including inter-cultural communication
• Critical Thinking and Writing
• Self assessment/reflection, including awareness of and management of emotions
• Interpersonal, including. collaborating / working with others, cross cultural awareness, having a positive attitude, negotiation and persuasion
• Career management

There will be three assessment components for this module:

A 2,500 word individual essay.

Delivering (in groups) a 40 minute workshop that explores a controversial recent development within the sports industry.

A 1,500 word reflective essay on the experience of delivering the workshop, focusing on the student’s assessment of the utility of the workshop in developing graduate attributes and employability. Students will be encouraged to incorporate this in their Personal Development Plans (PDP).

Allison, L. (2005) The Global Politics of Sport: The role of global institutions in sport, London: Routledge.
Byers, T. (2015) Contemporary Issues in Sports Management: An Introduction, London: Sage.
Gardiner, S. (2011) Sports Law, New York: Routledge.
James, M. (2013) Sports Law, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Houlihan, B. & Malcolm, D. (2016) Sport & Society: A Student Introduction, London: Sage.
McNamee, M. (2010) The Ethics of Sport: A Reader, London: Routledge.
Moler, V. Waddington, I. and Hoberman, J. (2013) Routledge Handbook of Drugs and Sport, London: Routledge.
Nauright, J. and Parrish, C. (2012) Sports Around the World: History, Culture, Practice, ABC-Clio: Santa Barbara.
Nauright, J. and Pope, S. (2009) The New Sport Management Reader, Fitness Information Technology Press: Morgantown.
O'Boyle, I. and Bradbury, T. (2013). Sport Governance: International Case Studies, Abingdon: Routledge.