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Grant Jarvie
Explore the world of football (soccer), the money, the rivalries, the trends, the past, the present, the men’s game, the women's game and the real issues. Whether you love it, hate it or try to ignore it – join us as we go behind the scenes to examine why football is more than just a game.
From street soccer to multi-million dollar transfers, from the men’s game to the women’s, from the global to the local, from the beaches of Brazil to the fight against poverty this online course looks beyond the pitch, to explore football’s role in society and possibly a community near you.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/1uffak/football
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What's inside
Syllabus
Football: History, myths and power
This week considers the past, football myths and how history can help us understand football today. We will explore an extraordinary football journey not only taking in major milestones along the way, but getting a feel for how history can help us understand the present as well as the past.
Read more
Syllabus
Football: History, myths and power
This week considers the past, football myths and how history can help us understand football today. We will explore an extraordinary football journey not only taking in major milestones along the way, but getting a feel for how history can help us understand the present as well as the past.
Read more
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what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores history, finance, international development, diplomacy, and peace, offering a comprehensive overview of the world of football
Presents a global perspective on football, examining its reach and impact across different cultures and regions
Features insights from experts Grant Jarvie, who are recognized for their work in the field of football management
Incorporates a variety of multimedia, including discussions and readings, to enhance learning
Delves into the social impact of football, examining its role in community development and international diplomacy
Suitable for learners with a general interest in football, as well as those seeking a deeper understanding of its multifaceted nature
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Reviews summary
Football's societal and cultural impact
According to students, "Football: More than a Game" is a fascinating and highly relevant exploration of football's role beyond the pitch. Learners praise the engaging lectures and the instructor's evident passion, which make complex topics accessible. The course provides a thought-provoking deep dive into its historical, cultural, and economic dimensions, with many appreciating the diverse topics, including the women's and Homeless World Cups, and its connection to international development and diplomacy. While some learners seeking tactical insights found it too academic and theoretical, it's highly recommended for those interested in its societal aspects and as an eye-opener to the sport's broader influence.
Well-researched, but some find readings dense or pace slow.
"Some of the readings were quite dense, but overall, it provided a solid foundation."
"The content was generally well-researched but not what I personally sought."
"The pace can be a bit slow at times, but the information is valuable."
Academic and theoretical, not focused on game tactics.
"It was okay. I expected more focus on tactics or famous matches, but it was very heavy on sociology and history."
"The course felt too academic and theoretical. I was looking for something more about the game itself..."
"I found the course more academic than practical, which suited my learning goals perfectly."
Instructors deliver content passionately, making ideas accessible.
"The instructor's passion was evident, and they made complex topics accessible."
"The lectures are engaging, and the course materials are rich."
"I found the lectures well-delivered, keeping me interested throughout the course."
Covers global football, including women's and diverse events.
"I particularly enjoyed the segments on the Women's World Cup and the Homeless World Cup."
"The section on football for international development was particularly inspiring."
"I appreciated the global perspective, especially the parts on Saudi influence and the various World Cups."
Explores football's cultural and societal significance.
"Absolutely fascinating course! It truly went beyond the game, exploring football's cultural impact, history, and role in global development."
"This course showed me a whole new dimension. It's not just a sport; it's a powerful social force."
"I learned how football intertwines with politics and social issues, offering a broader perspective than just the game."
Older reviews note some modern examples felt outdated.
"The course was well-meaning, but some parts felt a bit outdated in their examples, especially regarding finances and transfers."
"While the historical sections were good, the modern context could use an update."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Football: More than a Game with these
activities:
Review Basic Statistics Concepts
Show steps
Strengthen foundational statistics knowledge, ensuring a solid understanding for analyzing football data and metrics.
Browse courses on
Statistics
Show steps
-
Review key statistical concepts such as mean, median, and standard deviation
-
Practice calculating and interpreting statistics using real-world football data
Revisit Football Rules and Regulations
Show steps
Refresh understanding of fundamental football rules and regulations, ensuring clarity and accurate interpretation of gameplay.
Show steps
-
Read through the official FIFA Laws of the Game
-
Pay attention to any recent rule changes or interpretations
Revisit elementary football history
Show steps
Reviewing the basic foundational history of football can help lay the groundwork for the more advanced topics that will be covered in this course.
Browse courses on
Football History
Show steps
-
Review the history of football from its origins to the present day.
-
Identify the key figures and events that have shaped the development of football.
-
Consider the social and cultural impact of football throughout history.
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Review the history of football
Show steps
Start the course off on the right foot by reviewing the full expanse of football history, including milestones, key figures, and how this context can help understand the game of football today.
Browse courses on
Football History
Show steps
-
Explore an interactive timeline of football history
-
Read articles or watch documentaries about key figures in football history
-
Discuss the role of football in society and culture throughout history
Read 'The Ball is Round'
Show steps
Provide historical context for the modern game and enhance understanding of football's global reach.
View
The Age of Football
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the chapters 'In the Beginning' and 'The Foreign Game'
-
Summarize the origins and spread of football
-
Identify the key figures and events that shaped the early development of the game
Create a Football Timeline
Show steps
Reinforce the chronology of significant football events and foster a deeper understanding of the game's evolution.
Browse courses on
Football History
Show steps
-
Research key dates and events in football history
-
Create a visual timeline using a tool like TimelineJS
-
Include images, videos, and descriptions to enhance the timeline
Learn about the FIFA World Cup
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of the FIFA World Cup, including its history, format, and impact on the world stage.
Browse courses on
FIFA World Cup
Show steps
-
Watch videos or read articles about the history of the FIFA World Cup
-
Explore the official FIFA website to learn about the tournament format and rules
-
Follow the FIFA World Cup on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest news and highlights
Complete a football finance quiz
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of football finance by completing a quiz that covers key concepts.
Show steps
-
Find a football finance quiz online or in a book
-
Take the quiz and review your answers
Join a football discussion group
Show steps
Engaging in discussions with peers allows for exchanging perspectives, asking questions, and broadening understanding.
Show steps
-
Identify online or offline football discussion groups.
-
Participate in discussions by sharing your thoughts and asking questions.
-
Listen actively to others' perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue.
Football Discussion Group
Show steps
Engage in discussions with peers, fostering critical thinking and diverse perspectives on various football-related topics.
Show steps
-
Join a football discussion group
-
Participate in discussions on current events, historical matches, or tactical strategies
-
Share insights and opinions while considering alternative viewpoints
Write a blog post about the role of football in diplomacy
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of football's diplomatic role by creating a blog post that explores how football can be used as a tool for international development, diplomacy, and peace.
Show steps
-
Research the use of football in international development and diplomacy
-
Interview experts in the field of football diplomacy
-
Write a blog post that presents your findings and insights
Develop a Football Club Profile
Show steps
Enhance understanding of club management, finances, and player recruitment by creating a comprehensive profile of a selected football club.
Show steps
-
Select a football club for analysis
-
Research the club's history, ownership, and financial data
-
Analyze the club's player roster, transfer history, and coaching staff
-
Write a report summarizing your findings and providing insights into the club's strengths, weaknesses, and potential
Review Basic Statistics Concepts
Show steps
Strengthen foundational statistics knowledge, ensuring a solid understanding for analyzing football data and metrics.
Browse courses on
Statistics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review key statistical concepts such as mean, median, and standard deviation
- Practice calculating and interpreting statistics using real-world football data
Revisit Football Rules and Regulations
Show steps
Refresh understanding of fundamental football rules and regulations, ensuring clarity and accurate interpretation of gameplay.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read through the official FIFA Laws of the Game
- Pay attention to any recent rule changes or interpretations
Revisit elementary football history
Show steps
Reviewing the basic foundational history of football can help lay the groundwork for the more advanced topics that will be covered in this course.
Browse courses on
Football History
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the history of football from its origins to the present day.
- Identify the key figures and events that have shaped the development of football.
- Consider the social and cultural impact of football throughout history.
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Review the history of football
Show steps
Start the course off on the right foot by reviewing the full expanse of football history, including milestones, key figures, and how this context can help understand the game of football today.
Browse courses on
Football History
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Explore an interactive timeline of football history
- Read articles or watch documentaries about key figures in football history
- Discuss the role of football in society and culture throughout history
Read 'The Ball is Round'
Show steps
Provide historical context for the modern game and enhance understanding of football's global reach.
View
The Age of Football
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the chapters 'In the Beginning' and 'The Foreign Game'
- Summarize the origins and spread of football
- Identify the key figures and events that shaped the early development of the game
Create a Football Timeline
Show steps
Reinforce the chronology of significant football events and foster a deeper understanding of the game's evolution.
Browse courses on
Football History
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research key dates and events in football history
- Create a visual timeline using a tool like TimelineJS
- Include images, videos, and descriptions to enhance the timeline
Learn about the FIFA World Cup
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of the FIFA World Cup, including its history, format, and impact on the world stage.
Browse courses on
FIFA World Cup
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Watch videos or read articles about the history of the FIFA World Cup
- Explore the official FIFA website to learn about the tournament format and rules
- Follow the FIFA World Cup on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest news and highlights
Complete a football finance quiz
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of football finance by completing a quiz that covers key concepts.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a football finance quiz online or in a book
- Take the quiz and review your answers
Join a football discussion group
Show steps
Engaging in discussions with peers allows for exchanging perspectives, asking questions, and broadening understanding.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify online or offline football discussion groups.
- Participate in discussions by sharing your thoughts and asking questions.
- Listen actively to others' perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue.
Football Discussion Group
Show steps
Engage in discussions with peers, fostering critical thinking and diverse perspectives on various football-related topics.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join a football discussion group
- Participate in discussions on current events, historical matches, or tactical strategies
- Share insights and opinions while considering alternative viewpoints
Write a blog post about the role of football in diplomacy
Show steps
Enhance your understanding of football's diplomatic role by creating a blog post that explores how football can be used as a tool for international development, diplomacy, and peace.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the use of football in international development and diplomacy
- Interview experts in the field of football diplomacy
- Write a blog post that presents your findings and insights
Develop a Football Club Profile
Show steps
Enhance understanding of club management, finances, and player recruitment by creating a comprehensive profile of a selected football club.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Select a football club for analysis
- Research the club's history, ownership, and financial data
- Analyze the club's player roster, transfer history, and coaching staff
- Write a report summarizing your findings and providing insights into the club's strengths, weaknesses, and potential
Career center
Learners who complete Football: More than a Game will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Sports Journalist
Sports Journalist
A Sports Journalist writes for a newspaper, magazine, website, or other publication about sports. By taking this course, you will learn about the history, myths, global spectacle, and diplomacy of the game. This knowledge will allow you to write informed and insightful articles that will appeal to a wide audience.
Sports Broadcaster
Sports Broadcaster
A Sports Broadcaster provides commentary on sporting events for radio or television. This course will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this field. You will learn about the history of football, the different styles of play, and the key players and teams. You will also learn how to analyze games and provide insightful commentary.
Football Agent
Football Agent
A Football Agent represents the interests of professional football players. This course will help you understand the business side of football and the role of agents in the game. You will learn about contract negotiations, player transfers, and the legal issues involved in representing professional athletes.
Sports Marketing Manager
Sports Marketing Manager
A Sports Marketing Manager develops and executes marketing campaigns for sports organizations, teams, and athletes. This course will help you understand the principles of sports marketing and how to create successful campaigns. You will learn about market research, public relations, and social media marketing.
Football Coach
Football Coach
A Football Coach leads and instructs a team of football players. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful coach. You will learn about offensive and defensive strategies, player development, and team management.
Sports Administrator
Sports Administrator
A Sports Administrator manages the day-to-day operations of a sports organization. This course will help you understand the different aspects of sports administration, including finance, marketing, human resources, and event management.
Football Scout
Football Scout
A Football Scout evaluates players for professional football teams. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful scout. You will learn about player evaluation, scouting techniques, and the different types of scouting reports.
Sports Event Manager
Sports Event Manager
A Sports Event Manager plans and executes sporting events. This course will help you understand the different aspects of sports event management, including venue selection, marketing, and budgeting.
Football Analyst
Football Analyst
A Football Analyst provides analysis and commentary on football matches. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be a successful analyst. You will learn about different analytical techniques, how to use data to support your analysis, and how to communicate your findings to a variety of audiences.
Sports Lawyer
Sports Lawyer
A Sports Lawyer represents the interests of athletes, teams, and sports organizations in legal matters. This course will help you understand the legal issues involved in the sports industry. You will learn about contract law, player rights, and the different types of legal disputes that can arise in the sports world.
Sports Psychologist
Sports Psychologist
A Sports Psychologist helps athletes improve their mental and emotional performance. This course will help you understand the principles of sports psychology and how to apply them to help athletes reach their full potential. You will learn about motivation, confidence, and the different mental challenges that athletes face.
Sports Nutritionist
Sports Nutritionist
A Sports Nutritionist helps athletes optimize their nutrition to improve their performance. This course will help you understand the principles of sports nutrition and how to create personalized nutrition plans for athletes. You will learn about the different nutrients that athletes need, how to fuel for different types of training, and how to recover from exercise.
Sports Medicine Physician
Sports Medicine Physician
A Sports Medicine Physician treats and prevents injuries in athletes. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning more about the medical side of sports. You will learn about the different types of sports injuries, how to diagnose and treat them, and how to help athletes prevent injuries.
Athletic Trainer
Athletic Trainer
An Athletic Trainer provides medical care to athletes and helps them prevent and recover from injuries. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning more about the practical side of sports medicine. You will learn about the different types of injuries that athletes face, how to assess and treat them, and how to help athletes prevent injuries.
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
A Physical Therapist helps people regain movement and function after an injury or illness. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in learning more about the rehabilitative side of sports medicine. You will learn about the different types of injuries that athletes face, how to assess and treat them, and how to help athletes regain their full range of motion and function.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/1uffak/football
Reading list
We've selected ten books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Football: More than a Game.
Save
Comprehensive and authoritative history of soccer, from its origins in ancient China to its modern-day incarnation as a global sport. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the game's development and its impact on society.
Fascinating and in-depth look at the history of football tactics. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand how the game has evolved over time.
Save
Data-driven analysis of soccer. It challenges many of the conventional wisdoms about the game and provides a new perspective on how it is played.
Save
Classic memoir about a lifelong soccer fan. It funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking read for anyone who has ever loved a sport.
Save
Collection of profiles of some of the most iconic soccer players of the modern era. It fascinating and insightful read for anyone who wants to know more about the lives and careers of these legendary figures.
Save
Fictionalized account of the life and career of Brian Clough, one of the most successful and controversial soccer managers of all time. It gripping and thought-provoking read for anyone who is interested in the dark side of the game.
Save
Fascinating look at the role of soccer in society. It explores how the game can be used to promote peace, unity, and social change.
Gripping account of the first FIFA World Cup, which was held in Uruguay in 1930. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the origins of the world's most popular sporting event.
Data-driven analysis of the global soccer industry. It explores the factors that contribute to success and failure in the game.
Save
Gritty and realistic portrayal of the world of soccer hooliganism. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand the dark side of the game.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/1uffak/football
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Effort
3 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
The University of Edinburgh
Instructor
Grant Jarvie
Language
English
Transcripts
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