Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Sport provides a sense of belonging, gives meaning to people's lives, and helps to define how we see ourselves and others. It has shaped the world we live in - being widely used as a forum for establishing and challenging social, racial and gendered power structures. It's also one of the world's most lucrative businesses - generating billions of dollars in advertising revenue and corporate sponsorship and through cutting-edge marketing. This unit examines the changing relationship between sport, society and commerce in a global context between 1850 and 2020. It looks at how sport contributes to understandings of, and is shaped by, issues such as identity, protest, race, gender, celebrity, ethics, marketing, commerce and the media. Specific case studies include: the origins and development of modern sport in Victorian Britain and its Empire; sport and Australian national identity; gender, sexism and sport; the business of sport; sporting brands and celebrities; drugs and racism in sport; and sport as a vehicle for social protest and change. Students will come away with an understanding of different analytical frameworks used in the history of sport; an understanding of the historical context within which to appreciate the changing nature and evolution of sport; and an understanding of how the history of sport can inform pressing issues in society, business and sports science today. The unit has been designed to give it a broad inter-disciplinary appeal. No prior study of history is required.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face Not available in 2025 Albany Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 option in the History major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) show a broad understanding of key concepts, theories, arguments and developments in sports history
; (2) demonstrate an ability to critically assess key concepts, theories, arguments and developments in sports history
; (3) acquire the bibliographical and research skills necessary to find appropriate sources and produce a viable research proposal in order to undertake a major essay
; (4) analyse appropriate sources for a research essay including textual, visual and primary source materials
; (5) apply the knowledge and skills gained to present arguments in both written and oral form using the conventions of the historical discipline
; and (6) work collaboratively with fellow students on the historical roots of a contemporary problem in sport.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) workshop participation; (2) research essay; and (3) reflective essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor David Barrie
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- 12 points of Level 1 units
- Contact hours
- Two-hour weekly workshops and one-hour weekly recorded lectures over twelve weeks.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.