Sports, Media, and Society

Catalog description

Sports are a massive part of our personal, social, and professional lives. This course navigates the often complex web of connections, issues, and relationships that characterize our relationship with sports, with a particular focus on communication and media-based issues. We will discuss the nature of fandom, the mythology of sports and how media professionals cover these issues. The course will also take a deeper look at special topics in sports, including the performance of race and gender in sports, the connection between sports and nationalism, and how we use sports as communication shorthand. This course is intended to develop your media literacy and critical thinking skills, as well as a keen appreciation of the aspects of sports that, while not often discussed in the mainstream, are vital to any professional involvement in sports education. P: At least 15 credits in COMP SCI, INFO SCI or COMM Fall Only.