RiseUpp Logo
Educator Logo

The Power of Sport in American Culture

Discover how sports shape American cultural identity, influence political discourse, and impact social relationships throughout society and history.

Discover how sports shape American cultural identity, influence political discourse, and impact social relationships throughout society and history.

Dive into the fascinating world of American sports culture with this comprehensive course. Examine how sports shape and reflect American values, from the religious-like devotion of fans to the political implications of athlete activism. Through engaging lectures and interactive discussions, you'll analyze sports metaphors, media representation, and the complex relationship between sports and society. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or a curious observer, this course offers valuable insights into American cultural identity, power dynamics, and social norms. Gain a deeper understanding of how sports serve as a microcosm of larger societal issues and develop critical thinking skills to analyze the role of sports in shaping American culture.

Instructors:

English

Powered by

Provider Logo
The Power of Sport in American Culture

This course includes

25 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

What you'll learn

  • Understand sport as a cultural institution and microcosm of American society

  • Analyze the parallels between sports fandom and religious devotion

  • Evaluate the impact of sports metaphors on everyday language and cultural perceptions

  • Examine the historical and contemporary relationship between sports and politics

  • Critically assess media representation and glorification of sports in American culture

  • Explore the role of sports in shaping gender, racial, and political power systems

Skills you'll gain

sports culture
American values
cultural analysis
sports metaphors
athlete activism

This course includes:

1.67 Hours PreRecorded video

7 assignments

Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

FullTime access

Shareable certificate

Closed caption

Get a Completion Certificate

Share your certificate with prospective employers and your professional network on LinkedIn.

Certificate

Top companies offer this course to their employees

Top companies provide this course to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring they excel in handling complex projects and drive organizational success.

icon-0icon-1icon-2icon-3icon-4

There are 5 modules in this course

This course examines the multifaceted role of sports in American culture, exploring how athletic competitions reflect and shape societal values, norms, and power structures. The curriculum is divided into five key modules: Why Study Sport, America's Religious Devotion to Sport, Sport as War, Playing with Politics, and a final synthesis project. Students will analyze sports through various lenses, including media representation, cultural symbolism, language and metaphor, and political activism. Through a combination of video lectures, readings, discussions, and reflective assignments, participants will develop critical thinking skills to evaluate the complex relationship between sports and American society.

Why Study Sport?

Module 1 · 5 Hours to complete

America's Religious Devotion to Sport

Module 2 · 6 Hours to complete

Sport as War

Module 3 · 3 Hours to complete

Playing with Politics

Module 4 · 7 Hours to complete

OVERTIME: Closing Thoughts

Module 5 · 2 Hours to complete

Fee Structure

Payment options

Financial Aid

Instructor

Jamie Skerski
Jamie Skerski

79 Students

1 Course

Teaching Professor and Associate Chair at the University of Colorado Boulder

Dr. Jamie Skerski has been a Teaching Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder since 2011, where she also serves as the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies. With a PhD in Communication and Culture from Indiana University, her research focuses on the intersection of gender and media, particularly through the lens of sport. Dr. Skerski teaches courses on Public Speaking, discourse and identity, rhetorical criticism, and communication in sports. Her recent research examines contemporary discourses surrounding the tomboy identity. Originally from Chicago, she is a former Division I softball player and enjoys coaching her daughter's soccer team while maintaining a love/hate relationship with the NFL and fantasy football.

The Power of Sport in American Culture

This course includes

25 Hours

Of Self-paced video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

2,435

Testimonials

Testimonials and success stories are a testament to the quality of this program and its impact on your career and learning journey. Be the first to help others make an informed decision by sharing your review of the course.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.