sport history

For this assignment, you are required to write a 5 to 7-page paper on the following prompt:

This assignment challenges you to critically analyze a historical event, movement, or figure in sport history and its broader cultural, social, and political significance. You will explore how the chosen topic intersects with themes such as power, identity, race, gender, class, colonialism, and social change. Through critical historical analysis, you will assess the implications of your topic on sport and society, both in its historical context and today. Students will be asked to describe, analyze and critique the historical significance of their chosen topic.

Students will confront the historical sport narratives and the many critically relevant or ignored aspects of these events. Considerations of social, cultural, gendered, environmental, economic and other aspects should be highlighted within these projects, with considerations of who the main stakeholders and beneficiaries of these events are.

Students are encouraged to assess the historical, cultural or political framing of the event. It is important to remember that the aim of this assignment is not necessarily to examine the events on the field, court or ice, but to consider the construction of the stories and narratives being told, and the ways in which these constructions serve to reproduce norms, values and stereotypes throughout history.

Students are encouraged to consider issues of equity, racism, sexism, ableism, transphobia, etc. which are played out and reproduced through these events. Topics must be approved by the instructor. A list of potential topics will be discussed during class. Further instructions and rubric to be handed out in class.

It is important to remember that the aim of this assignment is not necessarily to examine the events on the field, court or ice, but to consider the construction of the stories and narratives being told, and how these constructions serve to reproduce norms, values, and stereotypes related to SOCIAL HISTORY OF SPORT

***If you have trouble selecting a topic. Please contact me.

Assignment checklist:

1. you have selected a local topic;
2. you have used mostly primary PEER-REVIEWED ACADEMIC sources;
3. you have placed the local description within the relevant social history context;
4. you have listed all your references;
5. you have cited each reference in your essay;
6. you have proofread every letter;
7. you have included sufficient information to do justice to your subject;
8. your title accurately describes your topicdo NOT put KIN 160 sport history paper, which tells me nothing of the content.

Tip Thesis Statement (YOU PAPER SHOULD HAVE A THESIS STATEMENT):

A thesis statement is a statement of the main argument, idea or conclusion of an essay.

Benefits of a good thesis statement:

• Clarity
• Strength
• Confidence

Weak thesis statement: In this paper, I analyze the relationship between sport and gender in the context of basketball.

• Topic statement, not thesis statement
• Vague
• Provides little analysis

Strong thesis statement: In this analysis, I argue that womens basketball is growing and becoming more mainstream in North American sport. However, it is still grounded in gendered ideology that promotes masculine characteristics, which in turn, denounces the opportunity, ability and portrayals of women. Society and those who have power in the sport of basketball could do more to reform the social construction and context of womens basketball to facilitate and promote opportunities, exposure and equitable pay for players.

• Analytical
• Advances an argument
• Considers strengths and weaknesses

POSSIBLE PAPER OUTLINE (5-7 pages written text total; roughly 2,000-2,5000 words MAX; TRY NOT TO GO OVER 7 PAGES)

1. Title Page
2. Introduction (1/2 page)

• Should include a thesis statement
• Provides a strong overview and understanding of the topic chosen

1. Description of sporting issue, event, or topic (1/2 – 1 page)

• Provide an overview of the topic
• Facts, dates, major characters
• Major trends

1. Historical analysis of sporting issue, event, or topic (1 page)

• Using peer-reviewed sources and/or mainstream sources discuss the popular discourse of the subject
• Synthesis of peer-reviewed research
• Application of course material to describe issue

1. Example colonialism is a precursor to issues of race and gender which directly impacts our understanding of sport today
2. Thematic sub-sections (e.g., political context, media coverage, athlete/community perspectives, long-term impact)

Demonstrates knowledge of course content, concepts and integrated these ideas and concepts into the analysis provided

1. Critical analysis of sporting issue, event or topic (1 1/2 pages)

• Using primarily peer-reviewed scholarly articles synthesize what research has discussed about the subject
• Revisionist reviews?
• Positives or negatives?
• Important points presented and analyzed

1. Impact of sporting issue, event or topic has had on contemporary time (1 page)

• Using peer-reviewed scholarly articles, course content, mainstream sources, and/or primary and secondary historical sources detail the impact your topic has had on contemporary times
• Why was this subject an issue and why is this important?
• What recommendations/suggestions do you have to improve the narrative of this event, issue or topic?

1. Summary/Conclusion (1 page)

• Wrap up the main argument(s) of your paper
• What should people, sport organizations and society in general do? What else could they do? What can they do better?

1. References (YOU NEED AT LEAST 5 PEER-REVIEWED REFERENCES; 5-8 total references)

Your Critical Sport History Paper will be graded according to the following criteria:

1. Content
2. Quality of the introduction and description of the specific topic you address
3. Quality of the analysis and assessment of the topic
4. Quality and clarity of the main argument and suggestions for improvement

• You should be able to make a strong claim for why the topic is an issue and important to overall sport history. Thus, in your paper, you will provide evidence to support why the topic you have chosen is an issue in sport.
• Quality of realistic suggestions and argument of the impact your topic has had on society
• Creativity

1. Demonstrates imagination and effectiveness when conveying ideas and presenting analysis

• Adherence to assignment guidelines
• Integration of relevant class materials and references and use of academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed articles, class content, and class discussion) to support your arguments
• Quality of the writing clarity, grammar and organization of the ideas

1. free of errors and strong use of language and structure

Rubric

Critical Sport History Paper 1

Critical Sport History Paper 1

CriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Introduction and rationale

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Description of topic (supported by literature)

Context described in detail

Understandings of issue in mainstream discourse explained

Synthesis of peer-reviewed research evident

Application of course material to describe issue

15 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Historical Analysis

Include a critical analysis or have separate section that is more historical and one that is more critical

15 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Conclusion

20 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

References

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Formatting

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Connection to Contemporary Times

15 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome

Critical History Analysis

15 pts

Total Points: 100