University
of North Texas
KINE 2050: SOCIOLOGY
OF SPORT
Fall 2025
|
Dr.
Karen Weiller-Abels Phone: 940-565-2856
Phone: 940-565-2651 (KHPR office) E-mail: Karen.Weiller@unt.edu |
Office hours: Monday 1:00 – 2:30. Held on zoom. I am happy to come to an in person
meeting if needed. |
|
TA: TA names will be added as soon as I have them |
|
The
purpose of this class is to introduce students to fundamental sociological
concepts and critical thinking related to studying sport as sociocultural
phenomena. Throughout the course, students will develop an awareness and
understanding of the impact that sport has on society and society has on sport.
Course Objectives
Students
will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge of sociological concepts (e.g.,
power, social institutions, human agency) and theories (e.g., functionalist
theory, conflict theory, interactionist theory, critical theory) that allow us
to study, understand, and address social issues and problems in sport. This
knowledge is measured on exams and content discussion questions.
2. Ability to think critically about sport as
part of social life and ask questions about the current structure of sport
(e.g., commercialism, professionalism, amateurism), as well as alternative
structures (e.g., participatory and involvement approaches), This is measured
in both verbal discussion via team (online discussion) and in written form in content discussion
questions.
3. Ability to think critically about how social
values are reflected and transmitted through sport (e.g., dominant cultural
ideologies), as well as the ways in which social values are rejected through
sport (e.g., challenging dominant cultural ideologies), This is measured in
written ability to synthesize content via written discussion and project
presentation.
4. Ability to analyze the effects of social,
historical, political, and economic factors on sport in society (e.g., Civil
Rights Movement, globalization), and how historical events have affected
current societal values and opportunities in sport.
5. Ability to examine and apply theory as
reflected in sport within diverse sociocultural contexts (e.g., African American,
Native American, Hispanic, Gay/Lesbian, Transgender, Intersex). This is
measured through team online discussion and content writing discussion
questions
This course is delivered fully online. All Power Points, quizzes, exams, and assignments will be completed online or submitted online. Some assignments are individually completed (discussion boards, clip and content assignments, quizzes, exams). Assignments that are completed as a team are sport discussions and group project.
These assignments have both a team and an individual component. Please be aware and pay attention to the
directions.
You are placed in a Sport
Team (by me or TA). You can find
this in Canvas (people tab). Look
for your name under one of the sport teams. This
will be fully explained in the zoom meeting held the first week of the semester
(listen if you cannot attend/ will be recorded and posted).
Assignment DUE DATES:
All assignments open on
Monday 8:00 a.m and close on Friday 11:59 p.m. This is true for all quizzes,
exams, as well as individual and team assignments. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO NOT WAIT UNTIL
FRIDAY TO BEGIN THE ASSIGNMENTS.
THERE CAN BE ALL TYPES OF ISSUES THAT MIGHT OCCURÉ Plan your time accordingly.
Quizzes and Exams
As noted below, you must purchase the access code through McGraw Hill in order to take all quizzes and
exams. There are no exceptions. You
have 2 week ÒfreeÓ trial. After
that, you MUST have purchased access.
Discussion Boards; Clip
and Content Assignments; Sport Discussion Assignments; Group Project
These assignments will be turned in online via Canvas.
Zoom meetings: I will
hold 2 Zoom meetings the first week of the semester – different days and
times. The purpose is to explain all assignments
and answer questions. Each will be recorded and posted in announcements for you
to listen and/or watch if you are unable to attend. The meetings are the same
– just different days and times. Attendance is NOT required.
Zoom 1 – 8/18 1:00
Zoom 2 – 8/19 4:00
Announcements: I will often post announcements in
Canvas as a reminder, refresher, or delivery of new information. Please check Canvas often to make sure you
are aware of any important information and to discuss upcoming sections. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.
Lack of knowledge (when assignment is due, etc) on your part is NOT an
excuse for missing assignments.
This course requires you to keep up daily/weekly. Ask questions, email, zoom, etc to get
answers). We are happy to help!
Turning in assignments on time is your responsibility.
Coakley, J. (2021). Sports in Society: Issues and Controversies. (13th ed). McGraw Hill. New York, New York
(as noted earlier) – To purchase –
Go to Canvas
Go to Start here
Click on the 3 dots
Look for McGraw Hill
Connect LTIA
That will take you to
the access location.
American
with Disabilities Compliance: The
University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students
with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the
Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a
disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter
to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your
specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time,
however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible
in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must
obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each
faculty member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly
encouraged to deliver letters of accommodation during faculty office hours or
by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss
such letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the
student. For additional information see the Office of Disability
Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating will
not be tolerated in the class. You are to take each online exam/quiz ON YOUR
OWN. You are not to take photos of
any of the questions, share answers with a class member or post any of the
questions/answers online in any form.
You are to use
only your memory. Students caught cheating or who are reported to be cheating during
an examination or quiz will be charged under the University's Academic
Integrity policy.
Students found to
be cheating on any exam or quiz will receive an automatic zero for that exam or
quiz. Students who plagiarize (in
any of the assignments) will also receive a zero for that assignment.
You must take quizzes and exams ON YOUR OWN. I do not use lockdown browser. I am
relying on you to be honest. You have the entire week to take exams and
quizzes. This does not mean you take it and share your information. All
questions are randomized and exams and quizzes are timed
Academic
dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and facilitating
academic dishonesty.
Cheating refers
to collaborating on individual assignments and
using unauthorized materials (including AI). DO NOT USE any form of contract cheating,
former studentsÕ work, current studentsÕ work or artificial intelligence to
complete your work. Plagiarism refers to presenting ideas, words, or
statements of another person without giving credit to that person. If you have questions about cheating or
plagiarism, please ask. All work
will be sent through Òturn it inÓ for review of material. I will send emails out to those found to
have used otherÕs work etc and will follow Academic Integrity policy.
DO NOT use AI for answering Clip and Content assignments or Sport
Discussion assignments.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
(FERPA) Information: Students have the right to
expect their
grades will be kept confidential. There are a few things, because of the size
and/or nature of this class, the instructor must advise you of regarding
collection and distribution of test results, quiz scores, homework assignments,
roll sheets, projects, etc. During this class it may be necessary for you to
pass your assignments forward to the instructor or it may be necessary for the
instructor to call your name and then return your completed assignment to you
by passing it across the room. The instructor, under the reasonable assumption
guidelines, assumes students are collecting only their own materials. Every
attempt will be made to keep your information Grades are confidential. Neither your course grades nor grades for any
assignment will be posted in a way that could result in your being identified
by other students or faculty members.
Being a
Professional
1) Professional Expectations and Outcomes
a. This class operates fully online. Please see the tentative calendar on Canvas for specific details and assignment due dates. All assignments and due dates are listed.
b. You are expected to be respectful to your instructor and classmates in all team discussions or in any zoom sessions you attend.
c. The content discussed in this course may be controversial for some. Please respect your peers and their experiences when you discuss topics in your small team. I am not out to change your views on any topic.
d.
Remember,
YOU CONTROL YOUR GRADE! Some of the work will be done in a small team (Sport
Discussion; Group Project) with an individual portion. This will be explained
in zoom meeting. Others are totally individually done (Discussion Boards,
Quizzes, Exams, Clip and Content). DO NOT expect someone to do your
part. Lack of contribution = lower
grade for you. Work missed (all
assignments) may NOT be made up, unless you have a very serious extenuating
circumstance. If you do not participate in team
assignments, you will NOT receive credit for that assignment.
e. If you have difficulty during the semester, it is your responsibility to contact me immediately (preferably prior to any assignment due). I will have office hours on zoom. I am here to help you, but you must let me know. Please contact me.
f.
Pay attention
to due dates, dates of exams, quizzes, etc. You will find these on your
Calendar.
g.
I have
created a list of FAQs for you to review.
Please check this before you send emails. I am always happy to answer questions,
but this may save you time.
GRADING :
1. Exams -3 Exams @ 100 points = 300 points. (Individual)
Three (3) exams will be scheduled across the semester. All are online. Dates and
chapters for each exam are listed on your calendar. Times exams open and close are also
listed on calendar. Exams may not be made up unless there are extenuating
circumstances.
2. Quizzes:
10 @ 10 = 100 points
(Individual)
There will be 10 short quizzes. Some quizzes combine chapters
together. These are all specifically noted on your KINE 2050 Calendar. It is
your responsibility to read the chapters and take the quizzes when assigned.
.
The time frame for when
quizzes are open is noted on the calendar. There are no exceptions. Quizzes
once closed, will not be reopened unless there are serious extenuating circumstances.
3. Discussion Board - 2 @ 5 = 10 points
(Individual)
a.
Sport History/Draw an Athlete –This is a Òget to know your team.Ó
b.
Identity Circle
4. Clips and Content – 5 @ 15 = 75 points (Individual)
4. Sport Team Discussions - 4 @ 10 = 40
points (Team and individual)
5. Group/Team Project = 50 points. (Team and individual)
Note: All grades are done in points NOT
%. The total points you earn
translate to final grade. Please
see grade breakdown.
The
chapter readings DO NOT count on grades.
They are for your information and use.
|
Assignment |
Points |
|
Total Points |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exams (3) |
100 each |
|
300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quizzes (10) |
10 each |
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Board (2) |
5 each |
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clips and Content –
(5) |
15 each |
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sport Team Discussion
(4) |
10 each |
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group/Team Project |
50 |
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
575 total |
|
|
|
|
|
A = 517- 575 C
= 402 - 459
B = 460 – 516 D
= 345 - 401
F = below 345
It is your responsibility to follow your grades on Canvas. Quizzes and Exams are
automatically placed into Canvas. You must go through Canvas and then into
McGraw Hill for taking quizzes and exams. That will ensure grades transfer into
Canvas. If you do not, your quiz
and exam grades DO NOT transfer to Canvas.
If you do not see your quiz/exam grades in Canvas, then we cannot
either.
All other assignments
are turned into Canvas. When
graded, grades will appear. There
should be NO surprises on your grade. Point values are added across the fall
semester with a final point total.
Use the grade breakdown above and you will know where you stand. You must keep up with due dates. This is
your responsibility. Let me know if
you have emergencies (sooner rather than later).
____________________________________________________________
Extra Credit
1. Online Sport Story: You
may find a very interesting sport story online (that is current right now
– within last month), you may prepare a short ONE page summary of the
story and HOW it relates to one or more of our topics. You may do this 1 time over the semester.
It is worth 5 points [if you do a good
job]. Provide the link to the story in your paper. Due date: 12/5/25
2. Syllabus review: (note: Here is one more opportunity for 3 extra
credit points ) - Send me an email indicating you have read the syllabus and
reviewed the calendar. You may only
do this until 8/29/25 The subject heading should say: Syllabus extra credit. In the email, please state: I am a
student in your Fall 2025 KINE 2050 class Section (put in either 401 or 402). I
have read and reviewed the syllabus and calendar, and understand all parts and
grading.
I
encourage you to put on a Òspecial pair of glassesÓ that allow you to broaden
your view of how much sport is a part of our society. You should be prepared each week, bring
to class your knowledge learned from readings and experiences. Be ready to learn from your classmates
as well as from me. I expect you to
be respectful of all opinions and experiences and work in a productive manner
with the class.