COURSE DESCRIPTION
The cinema (film) is a powerful medium that can shape psychosocial perceptions of sports, athletes, and coaches, as well as reflect the roles sports, athletes, and coaches have in our society. This course will investigate the view of sports, athletes, and coaches as presented by film. The students will analyze films productions, write and discuss criticisms that address the roles of sports, athletes, and coaches as seen by the camera and perceived by individuals and society. Materials will emphasize American cinema, but will not exclude foreign and independent productions. Students will acquire an understanding of the language of sport as they focus on the power of the media to impact beliefs, psychosocial issues, and stereotypes related to the individual within the American society. {Prerequisite: None; However, a course in psychology, sociology, sport psychology, and/or sport sociology is recommended.}

COURSE OBJECTIVES
As a result of this course the student should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the:

a) cognitive, perceptual, and affective dimensions of media presentation of sports, athletes, and coaches.
b) psychological perceptual differences resulting from film presentations.
c) sociological dimensions of film presentations.
d) personal perspectives and developmental influence of film presentations.
e) meaning of the statement, “Sport is a microcosm of society” and the ramifications thereof. .

TEXTBOOKS

Sport, Culture and the Media: (2003, Second Edition)
Author = David Rowe; Publisher = Open University Press

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Class Discussions and Participation, Analytical Writing Experiences, Comprehensive Essay Exam, Computer and Internet Experiences

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