SPRT3251: Physical Activity, Sport and Inequalities

• SPRT 1261;Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology OR SPRT 1271 Introduction to Sociology of Sport

• Enhance student learning in the social scientific areas of health, sport and physical activity. A focus on inequalities will be a cross-cutting theme in the module.
• Synthesise social scientific knowledge and have students apply knowledge regarding the social, cultural, political and policy dimensions that influence sport, physical activity and health.
• Stimulate critical thinking about the broader mediators of sport, physical activity and health by creating, evaluating and analysing knowledge.
• Provide students with social scientific infused knowledge about public health and provide introductory content as a segue to the departmental PGT programme.

• This module builds on the knowledge and skills of sport and exercise programmes in the Department to deliver an understanding of how physical activity and sport participation are influenced by social, cultural, political, policy factors, and inequalities.
• Students will cover a range of topics relating to how physical activity, sport and health are mediated by broader social, political, and cultural factors (society) and the role of inequalities.
• Topics will include, but will not be limited to: ageing, gender, dis(ability), race, social class, illness and health.
• A focus on policy, public health and knowledge mobilization will also be included.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Develop a critical understanding of social scientific perspectives of health, and inequalities as they relate to sport and physical activity.
• Critically appraise and synthesize how sport and physical activity is mediated by broader social, cultural and contextual factors such as inequalities.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Synthesize social scientific understandings of sport and physical activity.
• Communicate research, knowledge, policy and practice in diverse ways (written, oral).

Key Skills:

• Communicate key concepts effectively to engage a variety of different audiences.
• Engage with a range of complex concepts to enhance problem-solving capabilities.
• Use IT and library facilities to identify and access relevant sources of information.
• Manage time appropriately to meet the requirements of independent study.

• The module will combine class lectures and seminars. Seminars will be used to apply knowledge from lecture and mobilise knowledge with real-world applications on how social scientific ways of thinking and doing can impact the world.
• Group discussions will be held during seminars to consolidate knowledge, understanding, thinking and application.
• One summative assessment will include a Policy Brief: individual assignment. Formative feedback will be provided to students throughout the term.
• Another summative assessment will include a Podcast or vlog: individual assignment. Formative feedback will be provided to students throughout the term.

Students will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback throughout the module to develop their summative assessments. This will primarily occur during seminars where students will have the opportunity to present, discuss and receive feedback on policy brief and podcast related tasks from both peers and instructors. A series of check in questions will be asked to ensure students are progressing toward assignment completion.Formative feedback also will be provided if students book a tutorial with module instructor.

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