Socio-Cultural Factors in Sports

Subject Aim

Sports play a significant role in modern society worldwide, with industry leaders in this field holding a prominent status within the global community. However, the broader issues surrounding sports – such as money, politics, race, gender, culture, and commercialisation – are often overlooked. This subject is designed to emphasise the importance of considering the social and cultural dimensions of sport, utilising insights from anthropology, sociology, history, and other disciplines to provide new perspectives on the sports that are both watched and played.

The subject covers critical issues relevant to athletes, coaches, physical education instructors, media professionals, and policy makers. It provides the analytical tools necessary to examine sport both in Australia and internationally, facilitating informed decisions regarding sport participation and professional involvement in the digital sports industry.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the importance of sport as a socio-cultural activity.
2. Discuss how the unique nature of sport reflects on social class, race and ethnicity, and reproduces Australian society in the global community.
3. Investigate different social, political and cultural influences in the digital world of sport
4. Exemplify how sport is developed by socio-cultural differences.

Student Assessment

Students are required to prepare for assessments by reading the subject matter in course notes, handouts and readings as well as independently researching. Class work and practical application of theory assist in reinforcing the importance of this subject’s topics. Each student is required to participate in class discussions and activities.

The overall assessment program is the following: