AP/SOSC 3290 3.00

Sport, Work And Resistance

This course will critically analyze the actors, institutions and practices that shape working conditions in the world of sport and the various forms of resistance associated with these conditions. Beginning with the economic context of the sport industry, we will analyze the ways sport produces and reproduces forms of exclusion, exploitation, and oppression. Sport is a popular form of entertainment that plays an important role in many communities. Even if you are not a sports fan, your everyday experiences are often influenced by the world of sport. For many people, sports are a form of leisure, the opposite of work, and yet sporting industries employ large numbers of workers, both athletes, and those that provide the necessary labour to make these industries function. Sporting industries are strongly connected to other work sectors, like media, fashion, food etc. The sport industry also has close relationships with governments on issues that affect workers in general, such as policy/legislation, education and the use of public funds. We will examine the ways in which the sport industry creates and reproduces inequality amongst workers. We will explore the various forms of resistance utilized by workers and athletes in the fight against oppression and exploitation, including the role of unions. The course will also analyze the various ways in which sport produces and reproduces forms of exclusion, exploitation, and inequality in relation to class, race, gender, and sexuality.