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
Lecture
Course designation
Certificate in Global Competency
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Winter
Summer

Overview

Course description
This course introduces students to the sociological study of sport and leisure and presents students with a survey of social issues in sport and leisure. As such, instructors focus on the issues they think will most engage students. Students examine the various ways in which sport and leisure intersect with other social, cultural, political, and economic structures in society. The influence of social identities on access to, and experiences of, sport and leisure is also explored.
Course content
  • A sociological approach to sport and leisure
    • The sociological imagination
    • Agency and structure
    • Ideologies
    • The sport ethic
    • Sport as a social institution
    • Capitalism and neoliberalism
  • The intersection between sport, leisure, and other social institutions
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Media
    • Family
    • Education
    • Other selected institutions
  • The influence of social identities on access to, and experiences of sport and leisure
    • Gender and sexuality
    • Indigeneity
    • Race and ethnicity
    • Social class
    • (Dis)ability
    • Age
    • Other selected social identities
  • Selected social issues in sport and leisure
Learning activities

Class time will be used for lectures, discussions, debates, problem-solving activities, and/or in-class assignments. Optional field trips may occur outside of scheduled class hours.

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 Assignments               15-25%

Group Assignments                      15-20%

Participation                                 0-10%

Test(s)                                        15-70%

Final Exam                                  0-30%

Total                                          100%

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 

  • explain the sociological perspective and its relevance to the study of sport and leisure;
  • explain why sport and leisure are considered social institutions;
  • apply select theoretical approaches to explain, and offer solutions to, issues in sport and leisure;
  • identify and discuss the impact of major social identities (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, social class, (dis)ability, age, indigeneity) on access to, and experiences of, sport and leisure;
  • identify and discuss the intersections between sport and leisure and other major social institutions (e.g., government, media, education, economy, family);
  • identify ways sport and leisure institutions both enable and constrain the development of individuals and society;
  • evaluate current sport and leisure practices through a sociological perspective;
  • 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:

  • Crossman, J. & Scherer, J. (Current Edition) Social Dimensions of Canadian Sport and Physical Activity. Pearson.

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

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 to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

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

Winter 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2050
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N1231
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1717
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
35
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
35
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N1231
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20