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Jamie Skerski

Have you ever wondered why sports are such a big deal in the United States?

Or why American’s don’t love futbol (soccer) as much as the rest of the world?

This course investigates the multi-billion dollar sports industry as a way to discern American cultural values. Themes we will explore:

-- Sports media’s glorification of sport

-- America’s religious-like fandom

-- The "sport as war" frame and the implications

-- Gender, racial, and political systems of power

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Have you ever wondered why sports are such a big deal in the United States?

Or why American’s don’t love futbol (soccer) as much as the rest of the world?

This course investigates the multi-billion dollar sports industry as a way to discern American cultural values. Themes we will explore:

-- Sports media’s glorification of sport

-- America’s religious-like fandom

-- The "sport as war" frame and the implications

-- Gender, racial, and political systems of power

This course will open your eyes to the power of sport as a cultural institution. You’ll analyze the discourses of sports culture and apply critical thinking to your personal experiences with sports. Whether you're a sports fanatic or a curious learner, this course will instill a deeper understanding of American values and how they play out on the field.

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What's inside

Syllabus

America’s Religious Devotion to Sport
We have faith in our favorite teams, idolize athletes, and believe in superstitions. This unit will explore the religious-like discourses, rituals, and symbols of our sport fanaticism. We’ll conclude with a mock campaign for team advertisement.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores American cultural values through the lens of sports, providing insights into the social and historical significance of sports in the US
Examines the religious-like fandom and rituals associated with sports, shedding light on the psychological and emotional aspects of sports culture
Analyzes the use of sports metaphors in everyday language, highlighting the impact of sports on shaping perceptions and framing conversations
Investigates the intersection of politics and sports, showcasing the complex relationship between the two and its influence on social and cultural dynamics
Suitable for anyone interested in American culture, sports enthusiasts, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the social significance of sports
Requires critical thinking and analysis skills, making it appropriate for learners with some prior knowledge of American culture or sports studies

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Reviews summary

American culture through sport

According to learners, this course offers a thought-provoking and enlightening deep dive into American cultural values through the lens of sport. Students consistently praise the instructor's passion and clarity, making complex topics accessible and delivering engaging lectures. Key features like the 'Sport as War' and 'Playing with Politics' modules are frequently highlighted for their unique perspectives. While many find the content incredibly engaging and well-structured, some learners with less academic background note the academic language can be dense, wishing for more practical examples. The final project is a strong point for synthesizing learning. Overall, it's a highly recommended course for anyone interested in sociology or cultural analysis, not just sports fans.
Valuable for both sports enthusiasts and cultural learners.
"Highly recommend for anyone curious about American culture and its intersection with sports."
"I wasn't sure what to expect, but this course exceeded my expectations. It's not just for sports fanatics..."
"Great for lifelong learners wanting to broaden their perspective."
"As someone who never really followed sports, I found this course incredibly enlightening."
Instructor presents complex ideas clearly with contagious passion.
"The instructor did a phenomenal job presenting complex ideas in an accessible way."
"The instructor's passion is contagious, and the lectures are well-produced and clear."
"The instructor is brilliant and makes complex topics easy to grasp."
"The instructor is knowledgeable."
Course offers unique, thought-provoking insights into American culture.
"This course was absolutely fantastic! The content was incredibly engaging and relevant, especially the 'Sport as War' module which offered a unique perspective."
"A very thought-provoking course. I'm a huge sports fan, and this course made me look at sports through a completely new lens."
"It's not just for sports fanatics; it's a deep dive into American cultural values... The religious devotion to sport module was particularly fascinating."
"Engaging and eye-opening! I've been a sports fan my whole life and this course completely shifted my perspective."
Some older content and quiz styles could benefit from updates.
"My main feedback would be that some of the older video content seemed a bit dated visually..."
"Perhaps an update would make it even better."
"The only minor critique is that some quizzes felt a bit too focused on memorization rather than application."
Some learners found the theoretical content and language dense.
"The course has interesting ideas, but sometimes the academic language felt a bit heavy. ...it could be a bit challenging."
"More examples or less abstract discussions would have made it more approachable."
"I felt some modules lacked depth, or perhaps required more background knowledge than I possessed... some of the theoretical frameworks were tough to follow."
"While the topic is interesting, I found the course material somewhat dry and academic. It felt more like a university lecture series."

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 The Power of Sport in American Culture with these activities:
Read "The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance"
Deepen your understanding of the science behind athletic performance by reading and analyzing the research in this book
View The Sports Gene on Amazon
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow a copy of the book.
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on the key concepts in the book.
  • Write a summary or review of the book.
Analyze sports statistics
Strengthen your ability to interpret and apply sports statistics to real-world scenarios
Browse courses on Sports Analytics
Show steps
  • Choose a sport to focus on.
  • Locate relevant sports statistics.
  • Identify trends and patterns in the data.
  • Draw conclusions from the data.
Discuss how sports are portrayed in the media
Enhance your critical thinking skills by discussing the portrayal of sports in the media with peers
Show steps
  • Form a peer group with other students from the course.
  • Select a sports media article or video to discuss.
  • Meet with your group to discuss the article or video.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Create a social media campaign for a sports team
Apply your knowledge of sports marketing by developing a social media campaign for a real or fictional sports team
Browse courses on Sports Marketing
Show steps
  • Define the target audience.
  • Develop a campaign strategy.
  • Create social media content.
  • Track and measure the results of the campaign.

Career center

Learners who complete The Power of Sport in American Culture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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