Before I took this class, I considered myself a general sports fan (although not to the extent that a lot of the people in class probably are). I did not really think about sports other than as a form of entertainment; it is such a prevalent part of our culture that it is hard not to become desensitized to it. This class has helped me to look critically at the aspects of sport that we tend not to think about on a regular basis. This class has helped me to further examine racism, sexism, disabled athletes, the sport ethic, etc. as it relates to the sporting world.
I felt that this class was more of a sociology class as opposed to an ethnic studies class. We explored topics commonly addressed in sociology and related them to sports. However, I think that this is a cool way to engage students into thinking critically. Relating sociology to something that students LOVE (sports) makes them want to participate more.
I would recommend this class to others because it is interesting and is a nice change of pace from the typical structure of other classes.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Sports Pages #13: Hoop Dreams and The Blind Side
While sports can serve as a positive outlet for African American boys who are pressured to participate in deviant activities, sports also perpetuate the myth of race. There is the overwhelming stereotype that African Americans are better athletes than other races. This is partially due to the fact that so many African Americans participate in sports. As a society, we highlight the differences between the races more in situations like sport. I still think that sports are positive for both races to participate in. However, the way the media frames sports encourages the myth of race.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Gendered Advertising (Real Women?)
This ad is a part of the 'Nike REAL WOMEN Campaign'. This ad plays in to the fact that women are often evaluated in terms of the appearance of their bodies. While it is true that men are also evaluated in regards to appearance, they are not nearly as ridiculed or held to as high of standards as women to look "perfect". Nike takes something that has a negative connotation ("thunder thighs") and makes it positive. I hear girls complain about their "thunder thighs" all the time, and it's no wonder why. As women, we are constantly exposed to the size zero, supermodel prototype that embodies the so called "perfect woman". Nike suggests that we should be praising women for their strength over shallow beauty, and that strength in itself can be beautiful. You would never see an ad like this for men. Sure, men are expected to have broad shoulders and the "six-pack abs". But, in general, people focus more on their ability than what they look like. This ad is obviously attempting to poke fun at the idea that a female athlete can only be successful if she is strong but also fits the commodified mold of being "attractive". I remember when this campaign came out and the reception was overall positive. However, it will sadly take more than a Nike ad to change the way that we evaluate women in the media.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Interrogating Inequalities in Sports Media: Examining Gender Representation in Sports Illustrated
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/photos/1305/si-covers-2013/2/
The link above takes you to the compilation of all 2013 Sports Illustrated covers. I have included some examples of these covers below. Out of the 102 featured covers of 2013, the ONLY cover that exclusively featured a female was the 2013 Swimsuit Edition. This cover features Kate Upton, who is a model not an athlete. I think this speaks to the fact that women's sports are still seen as inferior to men's sports. Sure, there were covers that featured females (Kate Upton AGAIN in an October edition with two Braves players, a random assortment of female college fans, and a female police officer).
Not only are women misrepresented on Sports Illustrated covers, but their posing is strikingly different from the males. While the women are posed suggestively or "girly" (e.g. sitting with legs crossed), the males are posed in positions of power (e.g. hands on hips, arms/hands spread out). In addition to this, the headlines differ. For example, the cover featuring Kate Upton and the Braves players has the headline: "October's All About Who's Hot", while the cover featuring AJ McCaron has the headline: "King of Crimson".
These trends speak to larger gender "norms" and expectations that have become commonplace in the sporting world. Women's sports have always been underrepresented in the media, and who we choose to place on covers speaks to the fact that female athletes are not as praised as male athletes. When they are praised, it often has something to do with the fact that they are a good athlete and good looking (take Alex Morgan, for example). It's hard to tell if the representation of female athletes will change. If the media continues to look at women as merely "bodies" or sexual objects, the future for female athletes getting the respect they deserve does not look very bright.
The link above takes you to the compilation of all 2013 Sports Illustrated covers. I have included some examples of these covers below. Out of the 102 featured covers of 2013, the ONLY cover that exclusively featured a female was the 2013 Swimsuit Edition. This cover features Kate Upton, who is a model not an athlete. I think this speaks to the fact that women's sports are still seen as inferior to men's sports. Sure, there were covers that featured females (Kate Upton AGAIN in an October edition with two Braves players, a random assortment of female college fans, and a female police officer).
Not only are women misrepresented on Sports Illustrated covers, but their posing is strikingly different from the males. While the women are posed suggestively or "girly" (e.g. sitting with legs crossed), the males are posed in positions of power (e.g. hands on hips, arms/hands spread out). In addition to this, the headlines differ. For example, the cover featuring Kate Upton and the Braves players has the headline: "October's All About Who's Hot", while the cover featuring AJ McCaron has the headline: "King of Crimson".
These trends speak to larger gender "norms" and expectations that have become commonplace in the sporting world. Women's sports have always been underrepresented in the media, and who we choose to place on covers speaks to the fact that female athletes are not as praised as male athletes. When they are praised, it often has something to do with the fact that they are a good athlete and good looking (take Alex Morgan, for example). It's hard to tell if the representation of female athletes will change. If the media continues to look at women as merely "bodies" or sexual objects, the future for female athletes getting the respect they deserve does not look very bright.
Friday, February 14, 2014
High School Sport
High school sports have become commonplace in modern American society. The idea of interscholastic sports emerged in order to give youth an outlet for physical activity and (ideally) to provide structure and discipline. According to Coakley, in an ideal world, high school sports should do all of these things and more. Student athletes should be upstanding individuals that embody values such as teamwork and practice. High school sports were designed to help youth become well-rounded individuals, giving them an outlet for physical activity in the land of academia.
I do think that some high school students are able to encompass all of these ideas. However, as with the case of Demetrius Walker, the corruption of interscholastic sport has resulted in an ambiguity between success in sport and success in school. Some student athletes are forced to choose between athletics and academics, and the result is devastating for education. Some high school athletes are expected to value practice over studying in order to get a "scholarship" to play for a college. While it is not true for every student athlete, many struggle in college due to the fact that they were always taught to put sports over academics in high school. High schools and colleges try to combat this by requiring strict study schedules and mandatory GPA requirements for student athletes.
Even with this problem, interscholastic sport is regarded highly in American society. We celebrate our student athletes like celebrities, always pushing them to reach for the next level of athletic success. We place great pressure on them to succeed because every school loves for their team to win.
It is difficult to determine a solution to the problem of the seeming "choice" that student athletes have to make between academics and athletics. I honestly don't know what we could do to change this other than encourage academic success as well as athletic success for these student athletes.
I do think that some high school students are able to encompass all of these ideas. However, as with the case of Demetrius Walker, the corruption of interscholastic sport has resulted in an ambiguity between success in sport and success in school. Some student athletes are forced to choose between athletics and academics, and the result is devastating for education. Some high school athletes are expected to value practice over studying in order to get a "scholarship" to play for a college. While it is not true for every student athlete, many struggle in college due to the fact that they were always taught to put sports over academics in high school. High schools and colleges try to combat this by requiring strict study schedules and mandatory GPA requirements for student athletes.
Even with this problem, interscholastic sport is regarded highly in American society. We celebrate our student athletes like celebrities, always pushing them to reach for the next level of athletic success. We place great pressure on them to succeed because every school loves for their team to win.
It is difficult to determine a solution to the problem of the seeming "choice" that student athletes have to make between academics and athletics. I honestly don't know what we could do to change this other than encourage academic success as well as athletic success for these student athletes.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
"Once the Cheering Stops: The Life of a Retired Pro-Athlete"
"You've been replaced on the field and you've been replaced in people's minds. That's when you start getting depressed". I think this quote from former NFL player Tiki Barber accurately sums up the sentiment of being a retired athlete for some. It has to be difficult to transition from being the "hero" constantly in the spotlight, to being an average Joe who "used to play for that team that one time". This isn't the case for everyone; some athletes happily accept retirement and are able to come to terms with the fact that the glory days are over. Others have trouble swallowing their pride and struggle to deal responsibly with the excess money from their careers. Listening to the retired athletes talk in "Broke" about their "bling bling" and multiple bowling alleys in their houses honestly made me disgusted. I think this is partly due to the fact that a lot of athletes get famous and signed when they are still young and not used to budgeting their money. They are more likely to succumb to lavish fancies instead of being responsible. The US Sport culture is financially excessive; athletes earn millions of dollars and, when combined with their egos, this can become a deadly combination. I am the first person to be in awe of athletic ability and credit someone for their strength and success. However, I feel like the US Sport culture is too excessive.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Sport, Politics, and the Olympics
I chose the 1936 Olympics (commonly referred to as the "Nazi Games") that occurred in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the games over Barcelona in 1931. I gathered this information from the slides and Wikipedia. In order to promote the air of supremacy and domination, Germany pulled out all of the stops for these Olympic games: a new 1000-seat track and field stadium was erected, a closed-circuit television and radio circuit were installed, and someone was hired to film the games. Hitler voiced his opinion in the official Nazi paper that no Jewish or black people should be allowed to compete in the Games. Obviously, this was received poorly by other nations who threatened to boycott the Games. Germany was forced to "cover up" some of its anti-Jewish propaganda, and Hitler went to his own measures to make sure that Berlin was "respectable" when he imprisoned all gypsies in a concentration camp for the duration of the Games. The Germans ultimately believed that the Olympics would serve as a way to "weed out" the weak (including Jewish people). They refused to let Jewish-born or Roma Germans compete on their own team, excluding some of their best athletes. Ultimately, the Germans viewed the 1936 Olympic Games as a way to impose their political beliefs on others.
I believe that the 1936 Olympic Games best fit under the category of a "vehicle for propaganda" according to Sage and Eitzen. The games were literally a platform for Germany to show the rest of the world why they thought Nazism was such a success. Obviously, the rest of the world did not take kindly to it. Nonetheless, Germany's detainment of gypsies and refusal to let Jewish-born Germans compete on their own team relayed their message loud and clear. I also think that the Games fit under the category of promoting nationalism for Germany. The Germans wanted everyone to perceive that Germany was the most powerful nation in the world.
To say that "sport is pure and devoid of political interference" is quite ignorant. After reading Sage and Eitzen's article and watching the film in class on Monday, it is quite clear that politics are not just a part of sports, but a major contributor to the way that we perceive sports. From the beginning of the Olympics when the Games served as a peace-time between warring nations, to the blatant attacks on gay athletes in the NFL, it is clear that politics and sport have become one. It is true that there is a positive side to this; countries show immense national pride and come together during the Olympics. Often this is positive. In the case of the 1936 Olympics, however, it's clear that this is NOT always a positive thing. It is impossible to completely remove politics from sport.
I believe that the 1936 Olympic Games best fit under the category of a "vehicle for propaganda" according to Sage and Eitzen. The games were literally a platform for Germany to show the rest of the world why they thought Nazism was such a success. Obviously, the rest of the world did not take kindly to it. Nonetheless, Germany's detainment of gypsies and refusal to let Jewish-born Germans compete on their own team relayed their message loud and clear. I also think that the Games fit under the category of promoting nationalism for Germany. The Germans wanted everyone to perceive that Germany was the most powerful nation in the world.
To say that "sport is pure and devoid of political interference" is quite ignorant. After reading Sage and Eitzen's article and watching the film in class on Monday, it is quite clear that politics are not just a part of sports, but a major contributor to the way that we perceive sports. From the beginning of the Olympics when the Games served as a peace-time between warring nations, to the blatant attacks on gay athletes in the NFL, it is clear that politics and sport have become one. It is true that there is a positive side to this; countries show immense national pride and come together during the Olympics. Often this is positive. In the case of the 1936 Olympics, however, it's clear that this is NOT always a positive thing. It is impossible to completely remove politics from sport.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sociogenesis of Hockey
Hockey has always been my favorite sport to watch. I specifically like ice hockey. I like that it is fast-paced, and I have always been passionate about following the Colorado Avalanche.
According to Wikipedia, ice hockey has developed from other games involving "hitting a ball on an ice-covered surface" such as "Ijisgolf", a popular game in the Middle Ages that resembled colf. Other similar games were played by the Vikings. Modern ice hockey, however developed from "outdoor stick-and-ball games adapted to the icy conditions of Canada during the 19th century". There are different theories as to who is credited with the invention of ice hockey; some credit British immigrants to Canada, and others think that it was the Icelandic immigrants to North America. The early form of hockey, referred to as "shinney", was played on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec and provided entertainment and recreation for British soldiers. The word "hockey" has been used since the 1300's and has been used interchangeably with other stick-and-ball games over the centuries.
Montreal is widely considered the hub of the development of modern ice hockey. "On March 3, 1875, the first organized indoor game was played at Montreal's Victoria Skating Rink between two nine-player teams". The first hockey club, the "McGill University Hockey Club" was founded in 1877 by McGill students and faculty. The sport's popularity exploded and the first "world championship" of hockey was featured in Montreal's annual Winter Carnival in 1883. The origin of the Stanley Cup comes from Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston when he purchased a bowl-like trophy in 1893 in order to serve as the prize for the best hockey team in Canada. It was first referred to as the "Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup" and was first awarded to Montreal Hockey Club in 1893.
Professional ice hockey has occurred since the early 20th century. The National Hockey Association (NHA) was formed in Montreal in 1910 and was later re-organized as The National Hockey League in 1917. The league expanded into the US in 1924 with the addition of the Boston Bruins. Ice hockey is also popular today in Europe thanks to Lord Stanley's five sons introducing the sport. Hockey is the official winter sport of Canada. Women's leagues also became popular and today, hockey is "one of the fastest growing women's sports in the world".
A hockey team consists of "four lines of three forwards, three pairs of defensemen, and two goalies". Five members skate and attempt to score a goal (by shooting the puck into the opposing team's net). Games consist of three periods consisting of 20 minutes. There is the possibility of both an over-time and a "shoot-out" to decide the winner of the game if it is tied after the three periods.
Hockey is often associated with injury; players are often depicted as missing teeth. It is an extremely physical game and players often fight each other during the game. The problems that hockey face today include the theory that it is "racist"; it is commonly known that mostly white, upper-class men play hockey. The equipment is expensive and the sport requires a great deal of travel. It is a sport that is considered "privileged".
Hockey is a popular sport in Canada, Europe, and North America.
According to Wikipedia, ice hockey has developed from other games involving "hitting a ball on an ice-covered surface" such as "Ijisgolf", a popular game in the Middle Ages that resembled colf. Other similar games were played by the Vikings. Modern ice hockey, however developed from "outdoor stick-and-ball games adapted to the icy conditions of Canada during the 19th century". There are different theories as to who is credited with the invention of ice hockey; some credit British immigrants to Canada, and others think that it was the Icelandic immigrants to North America. The early form of hockey, referred to as "shinney", was played on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec and provided entertainment and recreation for British soldiers. The word "hockey" has been used since the 1300's and has been used interchangeably with other stick-and-ball games over the centuries.
Montreal is widely considered the hub of the development of modern ice hockey. "On March 3, 1875, the first organized indoor game was played at Montreal's Victoria Skating Rink between two nine-player teams". The first hockey club, the "McGill University Hockey Club" was founded in 1877 by McGill students and faculty. The sport's popularity exploded and the first "world championship" of hockey was featured in Montreal's annual Winter Carnival in 1883. The origin of the Stanley Cup comes from Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston when he purchased a bowl-like trophy in 1893 in order to serve as the prize for the best hockey team in Canada. It was first referred to as the "Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup" and was first awarded to Montreal Hockey Club in 1893.
Professional ice hockey has occurred since the early 20th century. The National Hockey Association (NHA) was formed in Montreal in 1910 and was later re-organized as The National Hockey League in 1917. The league expanded into the US in 1924 with the addition of the Boston Bruins. Ice hockey is also popular today in Europe thanks to Lord Stanley's five sons introducing the sport. Hockey is the official winter sport of Canada. Women's leagues also became popular and today, hockey is "one of the fastest growing women's sports in the world".
A hockey team consists of "four lines of three forwards, three pairs of defensemen, and two goalies". Five members skate and attempt to score a goal (by shooting the puck into the opposing team's net). Games consist of three periods consisting of 20 minutes. There is the possibility of both an over-time and a "shoot-out" to decide the winner of the game if it is tied after the three periods.
Hockey is often associated with injury; players are often depicted as missing teeth. It is an extremely physical game and players often fight each other during the game. The problems that hockey face today include the theory that it is "racist"; it is commonly known that mostly white, upper-class men play hockey. The equipment is expensive and the sport requires a great deal of travel. It is a sport that is considered "privileged".
Hockey is a popular sport in Canada, Europe, and North America.
Sport in the Ancient World
Sports are not a novelty; they have been around since ancient times. The Olympic Games (776 BC)were around before the birth of Christ. The two main areas of the world that we have studied in terms of sport are Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
First, Ancient Greece: the site of the Olympic games. In Greece, sport and religion went hand-in-hand. Although anyone was allowed to participate in the games, they were pushed physically in order to become the "perfect human specimen". I think of Hercules when I think of Ancient Greece and sports. Hercules, the son of Zeus was celebrated for his strength and physical ability, similar to the athletes that competed in the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.
In Ancient Rome, sport and religion were not related. Instead, sport served as a form of entertainment. The gladiators still were held to high standards and had to be successful, but the connotation of a "god" was not on the line.
Today, we still hold athletes to extremely high standards. We expect them to have perfect bodies and to be in the best shape. We want them to continually strive to surpass records and be ultimate winners.
First, Ancient Greece: the site of the Olympic games. In Greece, sport and religion went hand-in-hand. Although anyone was allowed to participate in the games, they were pushed physically in order to become the "perfect human specimen". I think of Hercules when I think of Ancient Greece and sports. Hercules, the son of Zeus was celebrated for his strength and physical ability, similar to the athletes that competed in the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece.
In Ancient Rome, sport and religion were not related. Instead, sport served as a form of entertainment. The gladiators still were held to high standards and had to be successful, but the connotation of a "god" was not on the line.
Today, we still hold athletes to extremely high standards. We expect them to have perfect bodies and to be in the best shape. We want them to continually strive to surpass records and be ultimate winners.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Sport, Society, & Me
Sport for me is mostly for entertainment. I only played one "team sport" in high school and I highly enjoyed it. I do partake in running and dancing, but I don't technically consider them to be what society deems "sports". When I think of sports, I think of watching the buffs play Oregon, or the Broncos going to the Super Bowl. I have become interested in watching sports on TV and I love attending games. I think that sports are very entertaining.
I also think that sports are a good way for people to learn perseverance, teamwork, and dedication. I think that everybody should partake in at least one team sport in order to learn these important skills.
As far as US society as a whole, I think that overwhelmingly sports are positive. They provide entertainment and an outlet for people to discuss and be passionate about. They can provide positive role models (such as Peyton Manning). However, I think that sports in society do have a negative streak. I think that sports are becoming too much about money and winning. Along with the positive role models, there are negative ones (A Rod, Lance Armstrong, etc.). There are performance enhancing drugs that take away from the integrity of the sport.
I also think that sports are a good way for people to learn perseverance, teamwork, and dedication. I think that everybody should partake in at least one team sport in order to learn these important skills.
As far as US society as a whole, I think that overwhelmingly sports are positive. They provide entertainment and an outlet for people to discuss and be passionate about. They can provide positive role models (such as Peyton Manning). However, I think that sports in society do have a negative streak. I think that sports are becoming too much about money and winning. Along with the positive role models, there are negative ones (A Rod, Lance Armstrong, etc.). There are performance enhancing drugs that take away from the integrity of the sport.
Friday, January 17, 2014
The Sport Ethic
According to Hughes & Coakley, the sport ethic "refers to what many participants in sport have come to use as the criteria for defining what it means to be a real athlete" (Hughes & Coakley, 308). The sport ethic consists of four beliefs: 1) Being an athlete requires sacrifices for The Game, 2) Being an athlete involves striving for distinction, 3) Being an athlete involves accepting risks and playing through pain, and 4) Being an athlete involves refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities (Hughes & Coakley, 310). I think that athletes conform to these ideals because being an athlete involves striving to be "the best" that one can be, as well as striving to be a role model for others. I think all athletes (myself included) strive for distinction either individually or as a team. This is partly due to the fan culture. No professional athlete or professional team wants to disappoint their fans, and they want to be regarded as the best.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Sports in the USA
There are many types of sports that are popular in the US, but by far the most popular is American football. The Super Bowl is the most viewed television event in America, and the fan-base is huge. Other sports that are popular in America are baseball, basketball, and hockey. Baseball used to be considered the "American past time" but I think that football has become more associated with America. Soccer (futbol) is not nearly as big a deal in America as it is in other countries.
As far as a typical "game day" in America, there is usually (especially in the case of football) a "tailgating" event that occurs before the game in which people get amped for the game by drinking and participating in games with each other. The whole day (which is traditionally Sunday for football) revolves around the event.
We measure success in sports in terms of winning. The teams that win the most in professional sports are considered the best. However, we also measure success based on individual players with titles such as "most valuable player" (MVP) and awards such as the Heisman trophy.
As far as a typical "game day" in America, there is usually (especially in the case of football) a "tailgating" event that occurs before the game in which people get amped for the game by drinking and participating in games with each other. The whole day (which is traditionally Sunday for football) revolves around the event.
We measure success in sports in terms of winning. The teams that win the most in professional sports are considered the best. However, we also measure success based on individual players with titles such as "most valuable player" (MVP) and awards such as the Heisman trophy.
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