AN/SO 320 - Sports and Society in France

This course will examine various aspects of the relationship between sport and society in France, with a consideration for the global context and the social impacts of what has become a veritable business venture. We will examine the influence of societies on the practice of sport, as well as consider the commercial aspects and stakes of sport. Indeed, the scope of sports today is vaster than it has ever been from fandom to business, to social structure and identity. The repercussions of competitive sports are economic, political, social and even psychological. The purpose of this class will be to study the evolution of sports since the 1980s, going from more local forms of entertainment and leisure to global businesses and phenomena with substantial geopolitical implications. The course will examine how local identities and ancestral rivalries are reflected in the world of sports. Students will be encouraged to examine their own athletic heritage. The class aims for students to gain perspective on the way their interest in specific teams or players may shape their world or be shaped by external, at times not initially visible forces. The class will rely on the professor’s experience in the field of sporting event organization, as well as on the expertise of guest lecturers pertaining to specific themes. The class will progress in a historical format, examining cultural, economic and political factors along the way.