History of Sports syllabus

History and Sports – Syllabus

 

This history elective will examine the development of sport(s) in America.  Our historical study will focus on helping students gain a better understanding of the inner relationship that sports has on social, economic, cultural, and political forces that are at work in the United States as well as the world.  We will examine the historical context as well as the significance of race, gender, ethnicity, and social class.  We will do our historical investigation through readings, primary sources, audio, and visual materials as well as class discussions.

 

Students will gain historical knowledge about the origins and development of various sports in America as well as worldwide.  They will look at major political, social, cultural, economic, and intellectual concepts through the chronological history of sport.  Students will understand why and how sports have become a popular cultural phenomenon.  Students will also learn a greater appreciation for the issues that have affected sports such as gender, discrimination, race bias, and class economics.

 

Topics:

1.      The Olympic Games

   a.      Ancient games

   b.      Modern games

   c.      1936 games – “Hitler’s Games”

   d.      1968 games – Mexico City (Black Athlete Revolt)

   e.      1972 games – Munich Games

   f.       1980 games – Lake Placid (Miracle on Ice)

   g.      1992 games -  Dream Team

   h.      1994 games – Lillehammer (Kerrigan/Harding)

2.      America’s pastime – Baseball

   a.      Origins

   b.      Negro leagues

   c.      Icons of the game (past and present)

   d.      New era of baseball (free agency, strikes, unions, scandals)

3.      Football (College and Pro)

   a.      Origins

   b.      NFL, AFL, NCAA, CFL, XFL

   c.      Evolution of the game (tv contracts, Monday night football, NBC)

   d.      Dynasties and Rivalries (professional and college)

   e.      Issues concerning the game (strikes, concussions, scandals)

   f.       Legends and traditions

4.      Boxing – past and present

   a.      Boxing and the roaring twenties

   b.      Icons of boxing

5.      Basketball – pro and college

   a.      Origins

   b.      NBA, ABA, CBA, WNBA, NCAA

   c.      March madness

   d.      Hip Hop and basketball (music, personalities, clothing)

6.      African American Athletes

   a.      Jim Brown, Jackie Robinson, Bob Hayes, Wilma Rudolf, Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali

   b.      Discrimination

   c.      Civil Rights and Sports

   d.      Women and Title IX

7.      Sports during the war years

   a.      AAGPBL (All American Girls Professional Baseball League)

   b.      Athletics vs. Duty as a citizen

8.      Commercialization of sports

   a.      Free Agency and Salaries

   b.      Television and its influence

   c.      Gatorade, Wheaties, Shoe Deals

9.      Defining the impact and role of sports in America

   a.      Emergence of ESPN and sports entertainment

   b.      Winning and losing – steroids, youth sports, legal issues, concussions

   c.      Athletes as role models

 

All students should take an active role in class discussions as it will only enhance the class.  The class is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of the role sports has in our culture as well as the historical analysis of various sports.