Sport Studies Courses

Sport Studies | Courses | Faculty

(All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise noted.)

200 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity (1st sem)

An examination of the social relations within the institution of sport and their role in the reproduction and transformation of society. Topics include socialization, stratification, gender relations, race and ethnicity, and social change.

202 History of Sport and Physical Activity (2nd sem)

A survey of the history of modern sport and other forms of organized physical activity. Emphasis on the struggles of women, people of color, and athletes to gain access and control of organized sport in the U.S.

210 Introduction to Sport Management (both sem and summer session)

An overview of the business of sport, including career opportunities. A study of the value of professional management to sport organizations.

223 College Athletics (1st sem)

An introduction to the management of college athletics, including a review of the organizational structure of the intercollegiate athletic department, conferences, and the NCAA. Analysis of the prevailing issues in college athletics including financial trends, academic recruiting legislation, conference realignment, reform, and Title IX/gender equity.

277 Professional Sport Industries

Examines both professional team sports and individual-based sports such as professional golf, tennis, auto racing, and boxing. Topics include ownership, league operations, governance, the role and impact of television, labor/management relationships, licensing, sponsorship, and the perceived role of professional sport in American society. Includes guest speakers, videos, readings, field trips, and student presentations.

321 Sport Marketing (both sem)

A study of basic marketing concepts with applications to sport organizations, both amateur and professional. Topics include promotions and public relations, sport consumer behavior, strategic market planning, marketing information management, marketing communications, and sponsorship. Prerequisite: MKTG 300 or 301.

335 Introduction to Sport Law (both sem)

A presentation of the basic legal system, its terminology, and principles as applied to professional and amateur sports. Emphasis on identifying and analyzing legal issues, the ramifications of those issues, and the means of limiting the liability of sport organizations.

343 Media Relations in Sports

A study of basic knowledge and understanding of media relations in sport. Emphasis on building and managing an effective media relations program on the collegiate level. Examines news releases, home town features, contest management, press conferences, statistics, and publications.

375 Public Assembly Facility Management (both sem)

An investigation of the functions of management in terms of operating and financing public assembly facilities. Includes public and private arenas, coliseums, and stadiums.

391B Seminar: Sport Broadcasting (both sem)

An introduction to the relationship between sports and broadcasting in American culture. A survey of historic, economic, legal and technical aspects of broadcasting, including an investigation of audience research, selection of events, networks, and rights fees.

391C Seminar: Sports Agencies

A comprehensive survey of the sports agencies industry. Its birth and evolution, with focus on sport marketing agencies and athlete management agencies. Topics include entrepreneurship, management, and marketing of sports agencies.

392A Economics of Sport

A study of how economic theory applies to amateur and professional sport. Topics include industrial organization, labor economics, and government role.

393A Seminar: Writing in Sport Management (both sem)

Development of writing skills and styles used in the sport management field. Includes promotional writing, public relations, and business communications. Writing process emphasizes research, organization, and revision to produce polished, final submissions. Fulfills Junior Year Writing requirement. Prerequisite: ENGLWP 112.

396 Independent Study

Projects, papers, or research. Must be approved and sponsored by a faculty member and approved by the chair of the curriculum committee.

397H Community Relations

Readings from sociology, urban studies, social change, and sport marketing to explore the state of community relations within the sport industry. Aims to lay the theoretical foundation and to provide technical knowledge to students who want to work in community relations in the sport industry.

424 Sport Finance and Business (both sem)

Basic theory in finance and accounting applied to managerial control of sport organizations. Includes forms of ownership, taxation, financial analysis, feasibility studies, and economic impact studies.

431 Amateur Sports and the Law

Introduction to the case method of legal study, with an examination of legal issues particular to amateur sport. Identifying and analyzing the legal ramifications of actions of amateur athletic associations and their athletes. Emphasis on the regulation of amateur athletics, constitutional issues, and tort liability. Prerequisite: SPORST 335.

450Y Internship in Sport Management 12 cr

On-the-job learning experience in a segment of the sports industry. Minimum of 13 weeks. Pass/fail only. Prerequisite: consent of the internship adviser.

480 Sport Management Policy (both sem)

Critique of existing policies and development of suggested policies for the management of sport organizations. A discussion of ethical issues encountered by to-day's sport managers. Capstone course for seniors integrating academic work studies throughout the curriculum.

488 Professional Sports and the Law (2nd sem)

An in-depth case-study analysis of the law as it applies to the professional team sports industry. Emphasis on contracts, labor law, antitrust law, collective bargaining, negotiations, arbitration, and representation of the professional athlete. Prerequisite: SPORST 335.

491-495 Seminars

Sport Event Sponsorship (1st sem)

Overview of all elements of sport event sponsorships, including rationale, benefits, proposal development, and solicitations. Key component is solicitation of sponsorships for spring event.

Sport Event Management
(2nd sem) 6 cr

Overview of all elements involved in sport event management. Key component of course is the planning, organizing, marketing and conducting of an event during the semester.

International Sport Management
(2nd sem)

Overview of organization and management of international sport, including the Olympic movement. Examination of the globalization of U.S. professional sports.

Ethics in Sport Management
(2nd sem)

An analysis of moral and ethical issues in organized sport. Emphasis on the conflicts sport managers face as they attempt to operate commercial enterprises without compromising the basic tenets of sport and within the confines of the governmental structure of leagues. Open to all Sport Management majors. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Advanced Sport Marketing (Sales Strategy) (2nd sem)

An applied sport promotion class involving the application of promotional theory, event planning and management, public relations, sponsorship proposal writing and solicitation to an existing sporting event in order to enhance its presentation and meet class-defined objectives. Open to all Sport Management majors. Prerequisites: successful completion of SPORST 321 and consent of instructor.

497 Special Topics

Advanced Sport Sociology (both sem)

The history of violence and discrimination in the world of sport, problems that continue to perplex sports administrators and enthusiasts. Closely examines the problems and possible solutions.

Advanced Issues in Sport Sociology

Explores in detail one or two fields or aspects of sociological research in combination with experiential learning. Built around recent research and writings and depending on the instructor's interests and the current state of the field. Recent topics have included sport in the context of urban sociology and community building, with an eye toward developing skills for a career in community relations. Open to all Sport Management majors.

595 Sport Communications

Provides students with an understanding of the operation of sport communications at both the collegiate and professional levels. Analysis of the concepts and practices of sport communications through class lectures, writing assignments, guest speakers, a final project, and exam.

Sport Studies | Courses | Faculty