module specification

The ST5057 module explores a variety of theories drawn from the social sciences and encourages students to apply such thinking to contemporary issues in sport . The module examines variously; the history of sport, the globalisation of sport, the use of sport as a political tool, sport and nationalism, issues around gender and ethnicity and the controversies that surround both the delivery and practise of sport.

• The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Educations Qualifications.
• This module introduces students to theories from the social sciences which are pertinent to contemporary issues in sport.
• It aims  further to raise students’ awareness and enable informed engagement with a host of  sporting contemporary issues.
• Students will be provided with an opportunity to be actively engaged in their learning through directed reading of such research and  through weekly classroom discussion. From this they will  develop a life-long analytical awareness  to sports-related social science research.
• This module will also provide students with the qualities and transferable skills that arise from being encouraged to take personal responsibility for earning and concomitantly learn the work-place imperative that is analytical thinking.

Globalistion  processes and sport. Inequalities and discrimination in sport. Sport as a political tool . Sport and mega-events.  Sport sponsorship and commercialisation. Sport and state ideologies. LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4

Teaching and Learning will involve a theory driven lecture supported by either a workshop or tutorial session.
Lectures will cover the theoretical aspects of the module and promote discussion through the exploration of both experience and knowledge.
Workshops will offer students an opportunity to (i) prepare for the presentation examination (ii) receive direction and support re coursework.
Vocational Skills and employability will be emphasised through group work and problem solving tasks.
Blended Learning: WebLearn will support all the lecture and workshops. 

Key strategies:
• Lectures
• Workshops
• Tutorials - Group and Individual
• WebLearn
• Self-directed learning - Students will be responsible for completing the directed reading and making an active contribution to the module.
Students’ responsibilities are further articulated in the FLS Staff/Student Agreement available via the Faculty Web site.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Analyse sport research undertaken by academics, think tanks and government agencies.
2. Demonstrate the knowledge base of a number of contemporary issues within sport.
3. Generate informed debates in their essays that reflect both wide reading and critical analysis.
4. Be enabled to debate and present coherent and balanced arguments drawing on appropriate evidence

Summative feedback is provided at the midpoint and the end point of the module. Opportunities for formative feedback will be provided both formally through draft coursework submission and informally through group workshops and peer discussion.
This module will be assessed by means of one piece of coursework where students choose from 6 essay questions, of 2000 words (50%; LO 1, 3) and one oral presentation (50%; LO 2, 4). The coursework will be submitted mid-semester i.e. Week 8.
An overall aggregate mark of 40% or more is required to pass the module.

Textbooks:

• Collins, M. & Kay, T. (2003) Sport and Social Inclusion. London, Routledge.
• Craig, P. &Beedie, P. (eds) (2008) Sports Sociology. London, Learning Matters.
• Coakley, J.J.  and Pyke, E. (2009) Sports in Society: Issues and Controversies. London, McGraw-Hill
• Coakley, J. J. & Dunning, E. (2000) Handbook of Sports Studies. London; Sage
• Delaney,T. & Madigan T. ( 2009) The Sociology of Sport. Rochester, McFarland.
• Giulianotti, R. (2005) Sport: A Critical Sociology. London, Polity.
• Giulianotti, G. ed (2015) Routledge Handbook of the Sociology of Sport. London, Routledge.
• Horne, J.  et al(1999) Understanding Sport: An Introduction to the Sociological and Cultural aspects of Sport.London, Routledge.
• Jarvies, G. (2006) Sport, Culture and Society. London, Routledge.
• Jones, R. et al (eds) (2010) Sociology of Sport. London, Routledge.
• Karen, D. & Washington, R. (2015) Sociological Perspectives in Sport. Boston, Routledge.
• Nixon, H. (2015) Sport in a Changing World. London, Routledge.
• Tomlinson, A. (2007) The Sports Studies Reader. London, Routledge.
• Young, K. (ed) (2016) Sociology of Sport: A Global Sub-Discipline, Emerald, Bingley,UK

Journals
• Sociology of Sport Journal
• International Review of the Sociology of Sport
• Journal of Sport History
• Journal of Sport and Social Issues

Websites
www.playthegame.com
www.uksport (has a database with a huge number af articles pertinent to the themse of the module)