SP7016 - International Sport Policy and Contemporary Society

Taught content will be delivered in a variety of formats including lectures and seminars and all learning materials will be accessible on the eLP. The learning and teaching strategies used on this module will reflect an analytical social scientific approach to the subject. The lectures will introduce the underpinning knowledge and relevant concepts. The module will then be primarily delivered through a range of interactive sessions in which students and staff will lead the discussions. These sessions are intended to: create a broader debate, enhance application of theory to practice, develop analytical skills, and encourage critical discussion. Students will also be set independent tasks informed by key literature to complete outside of class time.

Module information, assessment requirements and expectations, and important module announcements will be made through the eLP. Material to support your learning will be uploaded in advance of sessions. You will be provided with content verbally and guided through tasks during timetabled sessions. A dedicated assessment session will afford you the opportunity to ask assessment related questions in class. The Module Leader is there to support you with any queries that you may have about the module content, and all staff members will provide tutorial time outside of class time. Module tutors will provide you with the necessary information on how to arrange a tutorial. You will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on your development during the module, and you will receive feedback on summative work to help you identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss your feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial. Academic skills support is also available from the University Library services.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

1.) Use the sociological imagination to explore issues, tensions and contradictions surrounding the value of sport as a social tool.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

2) Analyse, synthesise and critically re-interpret relevant literature to develop insight into national and international sport policy issues and contexts.
3) Make judgements and maintain a logical and persuasive argument that articulates and challenges sport policy knowledge, theories, paradigms, principles, and concepts.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

4) Appraise how the socio-political context of sport cultures impact on current practice
5) Reflect critically on the role and nature of sport policy across time and space.

Summative Assessment
Students will be required to write a 4500-word critical commentary essay adhering to the style of a relevant peer-reviewed academic journal (to be agreed with staff). This critical commentary essay must: (a) use the sociological imagination to explore an issue relevant to sport, cultural practice, and policy; (b) analyse and critically interpret relevant literature to develop insight into national / international sport policy; (c) articulate a logical and persuasive argument that challenges related knowledge, theories, paradigms, principles, or concepts; (d) reflect critically on the role and nature of sport policy (MLO 1-5, 100%).


Formative Assessment and rationale for tasks
Formative feedback will be in the form of oral presentations and discussion-based tasks. Each week in preparation for seminars, you will be asked to prepare a presentation or discussion points that will contribute to a group task or form the basis of a debate on a given topic. The intent is to encourage you to spread your efforts evenly across the module and to elicit higher order skills in terms of going beyond factual recall to synthesise material and apply theory to practice. There is an emphasis on formative assessments in seminar presentations and debates so that you are encouraged to be more creative and 'risk-taking' in your application.

Feedback Strategy
You will receive written or audio feedback on your summative assessment to help you identify areas of strength and areas for development. There will be the opportunity to discuss your feedback with a member of staff during a tutorial.

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This module will examine some of the complex relationships between modern sport cultures, sport policy and development, and other aspects of wider society. In doing so, a social scientific approach will be taken to critique the nature and role of sports policy, both nationally and internationally. The module will provide opportunities to discuss, amongst other issues: the role of sport as a social tool for addressing community issues; increasing state intervention in sports policy; and the relationship between fluid political priorities of a succession of governments and sport policy, development, and practice. The module encourages students to apply theoretical concepts and ideas to real world situations and to critically evaluate sports related policy and practice.