Sports History and Culture MA

This module examines the development of sport and physical culture in Britain and continental Europe from the 1850s. This includes the emergence of amateurism and the on-going tension between the amateur ethos and the commercialisation of sport as well as the codification, modernisation and globalisation of sporting practices. Particular reference is made to the importance of social divisions, such as class, gender and race.

This module examines the relationship between sport and international politics, and looks at how government public policies have impacted on sport and explores identity politics in sport. The module is based around the history of mega-events such as the Olympic Games and also global sporting institutions like the International Olympic Committee and FIFA. In addition, sport in the Cold War is also examined.

The primary aim of this module is to prepare students for their dissertation. It looks at project planning, research methodologies (including archival research, oral history and the use of various forms of media) and effective writing techniques.

In addition, to help you specialise, you will choose one from the following:

Sport, Writing and History

 
The module considers written social and cultural aspects of the representation of sport in Britain and in an international context. The central aim is to promote appreciation of an historical approach to imaginative literature and non-fiction including autobiography, sports journalism and popular writing. This will enable students better to identify and explain long-term changes in the representation of sport and recreation and its transmission to a wide range of readers and audiences.

Football: Past and Present

This module explores the history of the game, from its origins, and its development from both domestic and international perspectives. It is arranged both thematically and chronologically and includes: the origins of football; the early professionalization and commercialisation of the game; the emergence of international football; football and the media; the football manager; football fans; the modernisation of football and global actors, such as FIFA.

Final Project options (choose one):

Dissertation

With this option, students write a 15,000 word dissertation on a subject of your choice. Your chosen subject can relate to your personal or professional interests provided the topic fits within the academic scope of sports history and culture and can be supervised by the course team. Topics are agreed in consultation with the Dissertation or Project Module Leader.

Heritage Project

With this option, students focus on a heritage-based project, understanding “heritage” in its broader sense. This can include major projects such as exhibitions, cataloguing or digitising collections, creating databases, etc. Students will be expected to develop a heritage project in conjunction with an existing organisation. The heritage project needs have a clear outcome achievable by the deadline. Students will submit a Proposal, a formal proposal about the intended heritage project, including the concept, structure, and format; the Heritage Project itself, in an appropriate format; and a Report, a critical evaluation and analysis of the project.

Preparation for your dissertation or project takes place during the Investigating Sport: Research Methods module, which takes place from January to May for full-time students and October to January (in their second year of study) for part-time. However, many students begin thinking about potential topics earlier, often drawing inspiration from taught modules.

All dissertation and heritage project students are allocated a supervisor, regardless of study mode. Supervision is conducted remotely, usually via email and online meetings.