critical treatment

  • This paper is designed to be an in-depth, critical treatment of a current issue in sport sociology. The topic must be approved by the instructor (see below for details).critical treatment
  • The paper should be broad enough to allow for a reasonable literature review so that the specific issue is contextualized, but narrow enough to allow for a succinct analysis of a particular issue. So, race in sport, women in sport, or youth sport would be far too broad.  Perhaps the most important aspect of the paper is that, theoretically, it must be critical, which means that simplistic, “common sense” approaches that fail to question fundamental power relations are not acceptable, nor are they especially interesting.  We will discuss sport critically throughout the semester, so you will be prepared for the task of interrogating your topic thoroughly. 
  • The required length of the paper is 1500-2000 words (approx. 6-8 double-spaced pages), not including cover page or references). DO NOT GO BEYOND 2000 WORDS.
  • APA format is required.
  • A minimum of five (5) scholarly, peer-reviewed references are required for credit (though internet news articles, webpages, and other non-peer-reviewed sources may be consulted for context, they do not count toward the required number of scholarly sources). The peer-reviewed sources must be integrated into the paper in a substantive manner, not simply mentioned.
  • The paper will be evaluated on the quality of: 1) content, 2) adherence to assignment guidelines, 3) integration of relevant class materials/references, and 4) organization, writing clarity and grammar.
  • All papers MUST be submitted via Canvas by the posted due date and time. Late papers will be accepted up to 5 days late, with a penalty of a half grade (5%) per day, with the first late day starting at the posted due date and time.
  • Further instructions/rubric can be found on CANVAS.

critical treatment

The major research and writing assignment is a 1,500-2,000 word independent research paper. Here is the question you should ask yourself: What is it that you want to know that you don’t already know?  That is what research is about.

In order to receive a high score, you must do the following:

  1. do hands-on, original anthropological/sociological research to support the argument in your paper. This means doing in-person interviews and/or direct observation of some sport of contemporary society.
  2. apply at least one of the sociological theories reviewed in the Sage, Eitzen and Beal reading (week 1). When you apply your chosen theory, you must also say why you believe it is the best of for your particular study; i.e. you must argue why it’s most relevant to your particular study, and why others are not. I am looking for deeper-than-superficial-thought here, ultimately because applying a sociological theory will help you better understand what you saw/heard in the course of your research. Remember: sociological theories can serve as valuable “frames” to see sociological phenomena, and therefore can be key to deeper understanding.
  3. Find scholarly resources not in this syllabus, read them (more than jusyt the abstract), and use their insights to support the thesis you argue in your paper.

Schedule: First, provide me with a research proposal (see below for due date), in which you write out what topic you will pick, what research data, primary and secondary sources you plan to use, how you hope to argue and support your case, and what theory you hope to use. Here’s a model:

“I am interested in the topic of [INSERT TOPIC HERE] because there has not been sufficient research on it. Therefore, my research question is [INSERT RESEARCH QUESTION HERE]. Hypothetically, I will answer this question by arguing that [INSERT HYPOTHESIS HERE], using [INSERT SOCIAL THEORY HERE]. This theory is the best for my chosen because [EXPLAIN HERE].”

In your proposal, be specific about what kinds of interviews/observations you will do, with whom, and what scholarly sources you will you use, and how these sources will relate to your research question. Tell me exactly what articles you will read, and why you will use them, and annotate them with a summary of the article that is given in your own words. DO NOT JUST COPY THE ARTICLE ABSTRACT. In short, the more details you give me about how you plan to write the paper, the better (for you, for me, and for your grade).

Note: While the research paper proposal is not technically a graded assignment, if you don’t hand it in by the due date, you will not give me ample time to review and make suggestions, and ultimately that may inhibit your research going smoothly, which will ultimately hurt the overall quality of your research paper, which will likely result in a lower grade. Papers written at the last minute are easy to spot.

After I approve of your proposal, you may begin working on the research project (i.e. doing interviews/observations/library research). After you collect your “data”, and before you begin writing, you’d be better off OUTLINING your paper in as much detail as you can.

Please consider seeking out a family member, friend or partner from the class (e.g. through an invitation on the Discussion Board) to review your outline; feedback from peers before you begin writing can go a long way toward improving the final draft of your paper.

A note on what I believe constitutes high-quality ORIGINAL “data”:

1)  Any carefully observed direct observation of sports

2)   Any interviews or conversations with sporting people

3)   Any literature (short stories, novels), television shows, or films about sports in contemporary society

4)   High-quality survey data regarding attitudes and behavior regarding sports in contemporary society

5)   High-quality statistics (demographic, economic, etc.) regarding sports in contemporary society

6) Any academic research done by scholars of sport. These are considered “secondary sources”, and may include any of the OPTIONAL readings listed in this syllabus but MUST also include other high-quality scholarly publications regarding sport. (Please email me if you are unable to determine the quality of the publication or data).

Questions to keep in mind while you write:

  • What theory am I using?
  • What is my argument?
  • How do I support it?
  • How can I strengthen it?
  • How should I cite references properly?
  • How can I polish my paper before submitting it?
  • Can I ask a friend/family member/loved-one-that-is-not-a-dog-or-cat to review it for me before submitting?
  • Can I express myself in English writing without concern (i.e. do I worry that a native English speaker may not understand what I am trying to say)? If not, can I consult a native English speaker for assistance?

critical treatment

Your final research paper must be approximately 1,500-2,000 words, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font, 0.5” margins on all sides of the page. Please type your papers using a word processor unless you have immaculate handwriting. NEVER plagiarize, ghostwrite, or dry lab. (Consult a dictionary if you do not know what these words mean). Use the same citation system (e.g. Chicago Manual of Style, Harvard, APA style ) and make sure to specify page numbers for all references/in-text citations. Finally, it should go without saying, but please do not hand in a first draft. I take off points for typos and grammatical mistakes, since they indicate carelessness and a lack of attention to detail. Students will receive a high grade if they communicate their thoughts effectively, and that requires understanding and properly using the written (i.e. not spoken) English language.

scholarly sources you intend to use, too. 

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