CMNS 324: Media, Sport and Popular Culture  Lectures: Mondays 14:30 - 17:20 in AQ 3154 Instructor: Sara M. Grimes smgrimes@sfu.ca Tutorials: Tues. 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30 & 16:30 in K8666 TA: Joel Blok jblok@sfu.ca Course Description: The objective of this course is to critically examine the changing relationship between sports and the media within western popular cultures. We will begin with an historical overview of the sport and media industries, and an introduction to some of the key themes, theories and concepts that will be explored over the course of the semester. During the second section, strong emphasis will be placed on the political economic dimensions of sports media, including production, marketing and commodity flows; the commodification of youth sports; labour issues and athletes’ rights. In section three, we will examine media, sport and the politics of “identities,” including national identities and globalization; sports subcultures and “lifestyle sports”; the representation of gender, race and ethnicity within sports media; and depictions of sports and athletes (with a focus on film). The final section will explore the social, cultural and political meanings of the sporting “spectacle,” as well as the impact of media technologies (both old and new) on sports performance and spectatorship. Discussions will touch upon a wide range of issues and theoretical approaches, with examples drawn from a variety of sports and sporting practices. [Prerequisites: Two of CMNS 210, 220, 221, 223, 240.] Required Text: David Rowe (Ed.) Critical Readings: Sport, Culture and the Media, Open University Press, 2004. + Supplemental weekly (required) readings, which will be accessible through this site and through WebCT Course Organization: This course consists of a weekly 3-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial. Course Evaluation: Participation 10% Mini Field Study 10% Mid-Term Exam 25% Term Paper 30% Final Exam 25% |