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Sport Studies

This program is for students who want to examine sport within its historical and contemporary cultural contexts. Coursework in the history, sociology, and psychology of sport and physical activity provides students with the critical skills necessary to understand sport as a significant aspect of cultural life. Sport's interactions with educational institutions, the media, the economy, and the political system are all critically examined. Race, class, and gender differences in the sport experience are also explored.

Many students use their experience in the sport studies track to prepare for graduate school. For others, the required second area of concentration or minor serves as an introduction to careers in a number of fields, such as sport journalism and athletic administration.

Picture Sport Studies


Sport Studies Track Curriculum Requirements

I. HSS Foundation (9 s.h.)

  • 028:036 Physical Activity Through the Life Span (3 s.h.)
  • 028:074 Inequality in Sport (3 s.h.)
  • 028:076 Psychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity (3 s.h.)

II. Sport Studies Core Courses (12 s.h.)

Students must complete one course from each of the four areas for a total of 12 semester hours.

Diversity in Sport

  • 028:078 Women, Sport and Culture (3 s.h.)
    OR
  • 028:079 Race and Ethnicity in Sport (3 s.h.)

International Dimensions

  • 028:072 The Olympics - Ancient and Modern (3 s.h.)
    OR
  • 028:176 Sport & Nationalism ( 3 s.h.)
    OR
  • 028:177 Western World Sport: Greeks to Present (3 s.h.)

Contemporary Sport

  • 028:175 Sport and the Media (3 s.h.)
    OR
  • 028:188 Twentieth Century US Sport (3 s.h.)

History of Sport and Leisure in the US

  • 028:171 History of Baseball in America (3 s.h.)
    OR
  • 028:172 History of Intercollegiate Athletics ( 3 s.h.)
    OR
  • 028:178 Sport in the US to 1900 (3 s.h.)
    OR
  • 028:179 The American Vacation ( 3 s.h.)

III. Sport Studies Guided Electives (9 s.h.)

Students must complete 9 s.h. in additional 028 sport studies courses. The following are suggested:

  • 028:077 Understanding Peak Performance in Sport (2 s.h.)

  • 028:143 Communicating Health and Physical Activity (3 s.h.)

  • 028:147 Promoting Health Globally (2 s.h.)

  • 028:174 Stress Management (3 s.h.)
  • 028:180 Theory and Ethics of Coaching (3 s.h.)

  • 028:193 Independent Study (1-3 s.h.)

  • 028:194 Honors Readings (1-2 s.h.)

  • 028:195 Honors Problems (3-4 s.h)

And, courses not taken in the four sport studies core course areas

IV. Concentration (15 s.h.)

This may be in any area, program or department outside HSS (e.g., American Studies, Women’s Studies, College of Business, Journalism and Mass Communication) but must be selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Of the 15 s.h. in a concentration, 6 s.h. must be in 100-level courses or <100-level courses designated by the offering unit as carrying advanced-level standing. Each student must have his/her advisor’s written approval of this concentration. Concentration courses may be taken by correspondence. No course counted for the concentration or minor may be taken Pass/No-pass.

Students may elect to satisfy the concentration requirement by fulfilling a minor in another department. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that the specific courses set by the department granting the minor are satisfied.


Selective Admission to the Sport Studies Track

To be admitted to the sport studies track, students must complete a minimum of 30 s.h. coursework including at least 12 s.h. at The University of Iowa. Other requirements include:

  • Satisfactory performance (at least a grade of B) in 028:074 Inequality in Sport
  • Satisfactory performance (at least a grade of B) in either 028:036 Physical Activity Through the Life Span or 28:076 Psychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity
  • Minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and minimum UI GPA of 2.5.  Students with a GPA of 2.8 or above and who meet all other critera will be admitted to this major.  However, the application process must be completed.
  • 1-2 page personal statement typed double spaced detailing your interest in the sport studies track and in the Health and Sport Studies major

Students who believe they qualify for exceptional admission should submit a written appeal and any other supporting documentation or evidence deemed relevant for making a valid judgment on admission into the sport studies track.

The Application form for sport studies must be submitted for consideration to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (E102 FH) by October 15 for spring admission and by March 15 for fall admission.


Sports Studies Faculty