Course

Introduction to the Study of Sport and Leisure in Society

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Sport Science
Course code
SPSC 1105
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Hybrid
Online
Lecture
Seminar
Course designation
Certificate in Global Competency
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course introduces the study of sport and leisure in society. Students will develop critical thinking skills while considering the social, cultural, political and economic structures of sport in contemporary society.
Course content

1. Defining sport, physical activity and leisure from a socio-cultural perspective, incorporating key terms and concepts, such as:

  1.1 The sociological imagination

  1.2 Agency vs. structure

  1.3 Ideologies

  1.4 The sport ethic

2. Sociological theories and perspective on the study of sport, such as:

  2.1 Functionalism

  2.2 Hegemony

  2.3 Conflict theory

  2.4 Critical theory

  2.5 Interactionism

  2.6 Feminist theories

  2.7 Post-structuralism

3. Sport and education
 
4. Children and youth sport
 
5. Sport and social class
 
6. Sex, gender and sexuality in sport
 
7. Race and ethnicity in sport
 
8. Sport and the media
 
9. Sport, violence and deviance
 
10. Sport politics and policy
 
11. Sport, globalization and nationalism/identity
 

Learning activities

May include the following:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Peer-led
  • Field-trips
  • Case-study analysis
  • Problem-based
  • Inquiry-based
  • Small-group
  • Experiential learning
  • Guest speakers
  • Technology assisted learning
  • Hybrid
Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Individual/small group project 15-25%
In-class/online discussion forums 0-25%
Mid-term exam(s) 15-40%
Group project 15-40%
Professionalism and class contributions 0-10%
Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical thinking skills in relation to topics in the area of sport and leisure.
  2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of key theoretical approaches to the study of sport in society and how to apply them to study relevant issues and phenomena in sport.
  3. Identify and discuss issues in sport and leisure as they relate to societal values, education, sporting ideologies, social class, gender, race/ethnicity, identity, politics, the economy and the media.
  4. Identify ways leisure and sport experiences can both enable and constrain the development of individuals and society.
  5. Discuss future possibilities in the field of sport and leisure from a sociological perspective.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

  • Course pack: SPSC 1105: An Introduction to the Study of Sport

  • Coakley, J. & Donnelly, P. (Current Edition). Issues and controversies: Sports in Society: Canadian Edition. Toronto: McGraw Hill Ryerson.
  • Crossman, J. & Scherer, J. (Current Edition) Social dimensions of Canadian sport and physical activity. Toronto, ON: Pearson.

Requisites

Prerequisites

No prerequisite courses.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for SPSC 1105
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO SPEX 2XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU KINE 161 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU SOCI 1XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG KINS 1160 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC HKIN 161 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU SA 1XX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) No credit
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU PHED 2130 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU HKIN 1XX (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO HMKN_O 1st (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV KIN_V 160 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC ORTM 1XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV KIN 161 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC EPHE 1XX (1.5)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU KIN 1st (3)

Course Offerings

Summer 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
34
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N1119
Times:
Start Time
11:30
-
End Time
14:20
Section notes

SPSC 1105 001-This course is delivered in a semi-condensed format.