Description of Course: This course will explore the role of women in sport from historical, philosophical, and psycho-social perspectives. Trends, patterns, issues, and future perspectives will be woven into the fabric of this course in order to understand the sport experience as parallel to women's role in society.

Course Prerequisites: None

Course Objectives:
a. To understand the process of gender role socialization for females who become involved in sport.
b. To understand the history of girls and women in sport.
c. To understand the history of the governance of women's sports in education institutions.
d. To comprehend basic physiological concepts that are relevant to female athletes.
e. To recognize how the existing power structure trivializes, oppresses, and excludes females from participating in sport.
f. To understand how psychological theory can be applied to the female athlete.
g. To recognize the career opportunities for women in sport and the professional preparation required for each.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
a. Effectively express themselves in written form.
b. Demonstrate ability to think critically.
c. Locate and use information.
d. Demonstrate ability to integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner.
e. Work effectively with others.

Guidelines/Suggestions for Teaching Methods and Student Learning Activities:
a. Lecture and discussion
b. In-class group work
c. Guest speakers
d. Debates
e. Videotapes
f. Issue papers
g. Group presentations

Guidelines/Suggestions for Methods of Student Assessment (Student Learning Outcomes):
a. Two exams with multiple choice and essay questions
b. Group presentation on a topic relevant to the course
c. Issue papers consisting of a review and reaction to a newspaper or journal article on women in sport.

Suggested Readings, Texts, Objects of Study:
Birrell, S. & Cole, L. (1994). Women, sport, and culture. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Costa, D., & Guthrie, S. (Eds.) (1994). Women in sport: interdisciplinary perspectives. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Bibliography of Supportive Texts and Other Materials:
Bandy, S.J. & Darden, A. (1999). Crossing boundaries: An international anthology of women's experiences in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Blais, M. (1995). In these girls, hope is muscle. New York: The Atlantic Monthly Press.

Brownell, K., Rodin, J., & Whilmore, J. (1992) Eating, body weight, and performance in athletes. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger.

Cahn, S. (1994). Coming on strong: Gender and sexuality in twentieth-century women's sport. New York: The Free Press.

Castelnuovo, S., & Guthrie, S. (1998). Feminism and the female body: Liberating the Amazon within. Boulder, CO: Rienner Publishing.

Chambers, M. (1995). The unplavable lie: The untold story of women and discrimination in American golf. New York: Pocket Books.

Cohen, G. (Ed.) (1993). Women in sport: Issues and controversies. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Daddario, G. (1998). Women's sports and spectacle: Gendered televison coverage and the Olympic Games. Westport, CT: Praeger.

Festle, M.J. (1996). Playing nice: Politics and apologies in women's sports. New York: Columbia University Press.