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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?

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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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Why Study Sport?
Welcome to The Power of Sport in American Culture. In this first module, it's time to tackle our cultural assumptions about sport. We’ll examine the common myths (Fairness! Health! Teamwork!) perpetuated by educational, sociopolitical, and media institutions. We’ll conclude by investigating the curious case of American soccer.
Sport as War
The language of sport unconsciously seeps into our everyday conversations. This module will examine how sports metaphors create powerful frames for seeing the world. We’ll conclude with a case study in sports branding.
Playing with Politics
Sports have become a cultural battleground where politics collides with our ideas of fandom, pleasure, and entertainment. This module explores the contested relationship between sports and politics.
OVERTIME: Closing Thoughts
This module contains the final project for the course. In the final project, you will synthesize everything you've learned in this course to analyze a sports advertisement.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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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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
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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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