This course examines the diverse ways organized sports reflect and influence the values, norms, and social structures of society. It explores how sports operate as a microcosm of social relationships, representing broader issues of power, inequality, identity, and cultural change. Through theoretical analysis, group discussion, and simulated interactive artifacts, students will critically examine the role of sports in promoting (or challenging) inclusion, ethics, and equity.
Special emphasis is placed on understanding sports as a social institution intertwined with education, economy, politics, and media. Students will apply sociological frameworks to contemporary issues such as gender equality, race relations, media representation, commercialization, and the globalization of sports.
By integrating conceptual learning with experiential simulations, students will generate data-driven reports that demonstrate applied understanding of social phenomena in sports contexts.