SM 615 - Critical Issues in Sport

Fundamental ethical, sociological, and legal frameworks will be discussed as well as applicable theoretical contributions. The course will emphasize the application of various theories to critical issues in sport by way of written responses. Teleological and deontological ethical theories, Aristotle’s virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, Rawls moral reasoning criteria, as well as the theories of justice will be covered. The sociological theories will center on functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and feminism. Issues of negligence, torts, Constitutional law, contracts, labor law, intellectual property, Title IX will round out the legal focus. The above-mentioned theories will be applied to sport-specific issues, which may include but are not limited to: competition, the values of sport, violence, aggression, corruption, criminal activity, performance enhancing drug use in sports, using Native Americans as mascots, sexism in sport, amateurism and the commercialization of athletics. This course will emphasize critical analysis, reading comprehension, debate/dialogue, by way of written analysis and evaluation.

Prerequisites None

Credits 3