Course Outline

SCS301 Sports, Culture and Society

Course Coordinator:Kate Kirby (KKirby@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Sports, Culture and Society explores the social, cultural and political aspects of sport beyond leisure. It critically examines how sports are not only shaped by society but also act as agents of social change. It explores how sports reflects and shapes cultural norms, power dynamics, and social identities. It examines media, globalisation, deviance, sporting bodies, as well as socialization and identity formation within sporting contexts. It considers the influence of factors such as gender, race, and class on sports as well as power, inequality, and stratification. 

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online learning materials (e.g. videos, readings, activities, discussion board) 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly in-person tutorial/workshop 2hrs Week 2 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Weekly online learning materials (e.g. videos, readings, activities, discussion board) 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly online tutorial/workshop 2hrs Week 2 10 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to Sociology of Sport
  • Social Construction of Sports
  • Sports and Identity
  • Gender, Sexuality and Sports
  •  Race, Ethnicity, and Sports
  • Sports and Deviance
  • Globalization and Sports
  • Sports, Sports Fans and the Media
  • Sporting Bodies
  • Extreme Sports
  • Sports, Politics and Social Change

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Develop and communicate an understanding of conceptual and theoretical tools to understand how meaning is attached to sport in contemporary society. Knowledgeable
2 Analyse and engage with key sociological themes, theories and debates relevant to understanding sport and sporting culture(s) Knowledgeable
3 Explain and contextualise the personal and cultural aspects of sport in contemporary society Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
4 Identify and apply relevant key sociological approaches, issues and debates regarding the nature and production of sport in contemporary societies Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress


            

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Journal Individual 30%
1500 words
Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual 30%
8 minute presentation and 2 minutes of questions
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Essay Individual 40%
2000 words
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Reflective Journal
Goal:
Critically reflect on weekly readings and course materials to demonstrate your understanding of and ability to apply key foundational concepts.
Product: Journal
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Students will submit a 1500-word journal addressing their choice of 3 of the first 4 weekly topics (approx. 500 words per topic). The journal will integrate their personal reflections on the weekly topics with relevant scholarly literature to expand on and analyse these reflections.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Content: Relevant and critical reflection on readings and related study themes and theories at the intersection of sport, culture and society.
1
2
Clarity and Expression: Clear quality of expression. Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
3
3
Structure: Arguments are effectively presented and well-organised.
2
4
Academic integrity: Evidence referenced and documented through the correct use of citations, quotations, and a reference list.
4
Generic Skills:
Communication
All - Assessment Task 2:Topic, Theory and Case Study Presentation
Goal:
To demonstrate knowledge of sociology of sport topics, concepts and theories connected to a specific sport case study, shared via oral and written communication.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Submit: Presentations are conducted live in tutorials in allocated times across Weeks 7, 8 and 9.

Students will develop an 8 minute presentation on a sociology of sport topic, connected with relevant theories and a case study. Students will be guided in tutorials on selecting a topic from a provided list. Students will also be supported in tutorials to explore relevant theories and connect the topic to a suitable case study for the task. 

Following the presentation, the student will answer questions asked by the tutor about the presentation for 2 minutes.

The Presentation must demonstrate active engagement in tutorial discussions, depth of reading and comprehension of sociology sport scholarly literature. academic integrity, using appropriate academic language and formatting. 

The Presentation should be engaging and professional in tone, well-illustrated, and referenced (images, quotes and ideas from other sources should be referenced on the slides with a reference list provided in the PPT and script).

In addition to presenting during the allocated time/tutorial, students are required to submit a referenced Microsoft PowerPoint presentation and a referenced written script.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Breadth and Depth of Knowledge
1 2
2
Depth of reading and critical analysis
4
3
Connection of Theory to the Case Study
3
4
Communication
1 3
5
Academic Standards
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Research Essay
Goal:
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of issues relevant to the sociology of sport. Critically examine and apply insights from the scholarly literature to analyse sport and culture in contemporary society.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Students will submit a 2000 word research essay responding to a question from the list provided.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Breadth and Depth of Knowledge
1
2
Creation of a Compelling Argument Drawing on Theory
2
3
Quality of Scholarly Evidence
4
4
Scholarly written communication and structure
3
5
Academic Standards
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Collaboration, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: