Sports and Politics

Catalog description

This course will examine key points in the contemporary history of organized sports from the modern Olympic Games in the late 19th century through the 2025 United States Presidential Election of Donald J. Trump. Through case study examination of the planning, execution and post-event spotlight of pivotal sports events, geographic importance and the time periods in which it occurred, we can better understand the impact on governance, political leanings, human rights and international relations. This course will seek to incorporate various perspectives, including fans, world leaders, athletes and the general population to understand the time period as well as the long term impact. Topics include the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Muhammad Ali’s resistance to the Vietnam War draft, the Springboks’ as a unifying force in post-apartheid South Africa, Post 9/11 Patriotism and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.