KIN 385 -- Sociocultural Analyses of Physical Activity: Course Syllabus

		School of KNS (323) 343-4650

KIN 385 -- Course Syllabus
*Adapted and in part reproduced from Dr. Jay Coakley's original -- SOC 330: Sociology of Sport (Spring, 2002) syllabus.

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Fall 2008 KIN 385 Syllabus

DAY/TIME: TR 10:00-11:30pm; M 3:30-4:30 pm

LOCATION: PE 120 (Lecture/Discussion)

INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Frankl, Ph.D., Professor
Office: PE 230
Phone: (323) 343-4662; Fax: (323) 343-6482
Email: dfrankl@calstatela.edu

Cal State LA: Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Sociocultural analyses of sport, exercise, and other physical activities; focus on the United States and Canada (4.0 cr).

II. PREREQUISITE(S): KIN Major

III. STUDENT OUTCOMES:

A. Content Standards:

Upon completion of this course students will achieve a critical understanding of the following questions:

Why are certain physical activities identified and designated as sports?

How do sports and sport participation affect our lives?

How do sports impact our ideas about masculinity, femininity, class inequality, race and ethnicity, work, fun, achievement, competition, individualism, aggression and violence?

How are the organization and meaning of sports connected with social relations in groups, communities, & societies?

How are sports connected with important spheres of social life in societies, e.g., family, education, politics, economics, media, & religion?

Course Objectives:

Acquire a familiarity with the general scope and major tenets of sport sociology

Obtain a basic knowledge of the experimental and observational research methodologies in sport sociology

Understand the dynamics of ethnic and cultural factors in American sport

Be able to critically analyze the current trends in the sport milieu and the dominant national conversation about sport and the family, education, economy, mass media, politics, and religion.

Develop a sensitivity to and understanding of the nature of structural oppression in its various forms, e.g., racism, sexism, ageism, and homophobia.

Acquire the requisite skills and knowledge to make practical applications from sport sociology theory and research to sport, play, and society

separating the "ought" from the "is" when addressing athlete, official, and spectator conduct in sports.

B. Performance Standards:

Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge in the covered topics through completion of exams, reaction papers, and a self-observational study using a self-reporting protocol. Participation in class discussions is also critical to demonstration of knowledge and students will be evaluated on the quality of their contributions to class discussions.

IV. TEXTS:

REQUIRED TEXT:

Coakley, J. (2007). Sport in society: Issues and controversies (9th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. (preferred)

Also acceptable are:

Coakley, J. (2003). Sport in society: Issues and controversies (8th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
Coakley, J. (2001). Sport in society: Issues and controversies (7th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.

Additional Selected References

Bryant, J.E., & McElroy, M. (1997). Social dynamics of sport and exercise. Englewood, CO: Morton.
Burton Nelson, M. (1991). Are we winning yet? How women are changing sports and sports are changing women. New York, NY: Random House.
Curry, J.T., & Jiobu, R.M. (1984). Sports: A social perspective. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Hoberman, J. (1997). Darwin's athletes: How sport has damaged Black America and preserved the myth of race. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Leonard II, W.M. (1998). A sociological perspective of sport (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
McPherson, B.D., Curtis, J.E., & Loy, J.W. (1989). The social significance of sport: An introduction to the sociology of sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinestics.
Messner, M.A. (1992). Power at play: Sport and the problem of masculinity. Boston, MA: Beacon.
Messner, M.A., & Sabo, D.F. (1994). Sex, violence, and power in sports: Rethinking masculinity. Freedom, CA: The Crossing.
Ryan, J. (1995). Little girls in pretty boxes: The making and breaking of elite gymnasts and figure skaters. New York, NY: Doubleday.
Yiannakis, A., & Greendorfer, S.L. (1992). Applied sociology of sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Kinesiology and Sport Related Professional Journals.

COURSE FORMAT AND REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:

Lecture, large and small group discussion, class debates, videos, multimedia, and interactive Web based presentations.

V. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

Attendance, punctuality, and active participation in class and lab sessions is expected. Students are responsible for class or additional reading materials whether present or not during actual lecture or discussion sessions. There will be no make-ups for unannounced quizzes.
Cellular phones: Cell phones should be turned off during class. A vibrating cell phone is still an activated cell phone. If you must answer a coming call or a text message, please collect your belongings leave the classroom and do not come back. I find the recent phenomenon of students wandering in-and out-of-class very disruptive to the learning environment. Students that must leave at any time before to the conclusion of a session (and did not discuss with the instructor their special circumstance before the beginning of class) will be marked as missing for that day. Thus, they will earn zero points for the daily active participation grade component. Please note that all of the above can simply be avoided by turning off your cell phone and/or by informing your instructor in the case of special circumstances.

VI. ASSIGNMENTS:

Reading Assignments and Study Questions

VII. EVALUATION:
Evaluation Item	Relative Weight	Letter Grade Equivalent
Weekly Quizzes (4-6)	100 points	375 - 400	A
		360 - 374	A-
		346 - 359	B+
Mid-Term (on-line)	100 points	335 - 345	B
		320-334	B-
Final (on-line)	100 points	306 - 319	C+
		280 - 305	C
Reaction Papers (4-6)	30 points	265 - 279	C-
Questions About Required Readings	20 points	256 - 264	D+
Self-Study Data Collection	30 points	235 - 255	D
Self-Study Data Analysis and Discussion	20 points	220 - 234	D-
Total	400 points (100%)	000 - 219	F

Examinations:
There will be at least two examinations including a midterm exam that will cover the first half of the quarter and a final exam during finals week that will cover mostly the second half of the quarter. Be prepared for unannounced quizzes starting from week two of the quarter. There will be no provisions for make ups of missed quizzes.
To be able to take tests available on-line all students are required to familiarize themselves with the " WebCT Student Procedure for Creating a WebCT ID and Adding a Course."

COURSE CONTENT

Tentative Class Schedule and Reading Assignments

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE:

Week I: -- (Classes begin on Mon., Sep. 18, 2008)

Week II: (Mon., Sep. 22) -- Introduction -- Sports as social phenomena (Part I) (No reading assignment for 9/24/08, Chapter 1 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 2-29)

Week II: (Wed., Sep. 24) -- "The Sociology of Sport: What Is It and Why Study It?" (Reading assignment for 10/1/08, Chapter 2 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 30-40)

Week III: (Mon., Sep. 29) -- "Analyzing Sport Via Social Theories"
(Reading assignment for 10/1/08, Chapter 2 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 41-53

Week III: (Wed., Oct. 1) -- "Using Social Theories: How Can They Help US Study Sport in Society?" (Reading assignment for 10/6/08, Chapter 3 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 54-87)

Week IV: (Mon., Oct. 6) -- "Studying The Past: Does It Help Us Understand Sports Today?" (Reading assignment for 10/8/08, Chapter 4 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 88-119)

Week IV: (Wed., Oct. 8) -- "Sports and Socialization: Who Plays and How Playing Sports Affects Participants." (Reading assignment for 10/13/08, Chapter 5 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 120-149)

Week V: (Mon., Oct. 13) -- "Sports and Children: Who�s Winning?" Media Presentation--Youth Sports Documentary: "What Happened to Fun?"

Read and write a one- to two-page critical reaction to any one (just ONE) of the following articles and bring your reaction to class on November 3, 2008, 11:40 am

Frankl, D. (2006). Youth sports: Innocence lost. Column - The New P.E. & Sports Dimension, http://www.sports-media.org/ -- Indexed with SIRC--SPORTDiscus.
Frankl, D. (2004). Taming the beast: Excessive parental involvement in youth sports. Column - The New P.E. & Sports Dimension, http://www.sports-media.org/ -- Indexed with SIRC--SPORTDiscus.
Frankl, D. (2003). Should Elementary School Children Take Part in Inter-School Sports Competition? Column - The New P.E. & Sports Dimension, http://www.sports-media.org/ -- Indexed with SIRC--SPORTDiscus.
Frankl, D. (2002). Recruiting Practices in Youth Sports: Who's Winning? Column - The New P.E. & Sports Dimension, http://www.sports-media.org/ -- Indexed with SIRC--SPORTDiscus.

Week V: (Wed., Oct. 15) -- Sports and Children: Who�s Winning? (Reading assignment for 10/20/08, Chapter 6 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 150-193)

Week VI: (Mon., Oct. 20) -- "Deviance in Sports: Who�s the Loser?" (Reading assignment for 10/22/08, Chapter 7 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 194-231)

Week V: (Wed., Oct. 24): Violence in Sports: The Bad, the Very Bad, and the Ugly. (Reading assignment for 10/22/07, Chapter 8 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 232-279)

Week VI: (Mon., Oct. 29) -- Gender and Sports: Breaking the Barriers.

Read and write a one- to two-page critical reaction to any one (just ONE) of the following articles and bring your reaction to class on October 31, 2007, 1:30 pm

Frankl, D. (2005). Gender Bias in Sports: Separate and Not Equal. Column - The New P.E. & Sports Dimension, http://www.sports-media.org/ -- Indexed with SIRC--SPORTDiscus
Jackson, S. (2002, November). Thirty years of Title IX. SportaPolis Column - "The New P.E. & Sports Dimension" - http://www.sports-media.org/ -- Indexed with SIRC�SPORTDiscus http://www.sports-media.org/sportapolisnewsletter15.htm
Vincent , J. (2005, April). Equitable Media Coverage of Female and Male Athletes: Is there a solution? SportaPolis Column - "The New P.E. & Sports Dimension" # 34 - http://www.sports-media.org/newpedimension8.htm

Week VI: (Wed., Oct. 31) -- "Gender and Sports: Breaking the Barriers." (Reading assignment for 11/5/08, Chapter 9 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 280-319)

Week VII: (Mon., Nov. 5) -- "Race and Ethnicity in Sports: Are We "Color Blind or Color Impaired?" (Reading assignment for 11/7/08, Chapter 10 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 320-357)

Week VII: (Wed., Nov. 7) -- "Social Class: The Power of Money." (Reading assignment for 11/12/08, Chapter 14 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 482-527)

Week VIII: (Mon., Nov. 12) -- "Varsity Athletics: A Sports Education." (Reading assignment for 11/15/07, Chapter 14 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 482-527)

Week VIII: (Wed., Nov. 15) -- "Do Competitive Sports Contribute to Education?" (Reading assignment for 11/20/08, Chapter 11 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 358-357)

Week IX: (Mon., Nov. 20) -- "Sports and the Economy: What Are the Characteristics of Commercial Sports?" (Reading assignment for 11/22/08, Chapter 10 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 320-357)

Week IX: (Wed., Nov. 19) -- "Sports and the Media: A Conspiracy of Profit." (Reading assignment for 11/26/08, Chapter 13 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 446-481)

Week XI: (Mon., Nov. 24) -- "Sports and Politics: How Do Governments and Global Processes Influence Sports?" (Reading assignment for 11/26/08, Chapter 10 in Coakley, 2007, pp. 320-357)

Week XI: (Wed., Nov. 26) -- "Sports in the Future: Practical Suggestions."

Dec. 1-6 -- Finals Week

FINAL EXAM LOCATION: PE 117
DATE: Mon. Dec. 2, 2008,
TIME: 10:45 am - 1:15 pm

Daniel Frankl, Ph.D., Professor
School of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8162
Phone: (323) 343-4662
Fax: (323) 343-6482
Email: dfrankl@calstatela.edu