Department of American Studies

Sport Studies Requirements

The sport studies major offers the best undergraduate preparation in the nation for students interested in continuing their intellectual interest in sport in graduate school. Students interested in this career path can put together a secondary area of strength in areas such as American studies, history, women’s studies, African American studies, or sociology.

The sport studies major also provides an excellent basis for the undergraduate student interested in the fields of sport management, sport journalism or sports information, and coaching. More details can be found in Section IV: Secondary Area.

Sport Studies Major Curriculum Requirements

I. Sport Studies Foundation (6 s.h.)

028:074/SPST:1074 Inequality in American Sport (3 s.h.)
045:001/AMST:1000 Understanding American Cultures (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/SPST:2078 Women, Sport and Culture (3 s.h.)
OR
028:079/SPST:2079 Race and Ethnicity in Sport (3 s.h.)

International Dimensions

028:176/SPST:3176 Sport & Nationalism ( 3 s.h.)
OR
028:177/SPST:3177 Sport in the Western World (3 s.h.)

Contemporary Sport

028:175/SPST:3175 Sport and the Media (3 s.h.)
OR
028:188/SPST:3179 American Sport Since 1900 (3 s.h.)

History of Sport and Leisure in the US

028:178/SPST:3178 American Sport to 1900 (3 s.h.)
OR
028:179/SPST:3174 The American Vacation (3 s.h.)

III. Sport Studies Guided Electives (12 s.h.)

Students must complete 12 s.h. of approved courses. These could include any additional courses from the sport studies core (above) or courses from the following list:

06E:165 Sports Economics (pre-requisite: 06E:001 and 06E:002 or consent of instructor)
06T:151 Professional Sports Management (pre-requisite: 06T:120)
16A:139 Social History of Baseball
019:091 Media History and Culture
019:095 Media and Consumers
019:164 Images and Society
20E:075 Ancient Sport and Leisure
026:102 Introduction to Ethics
027:076 Psychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity
028:084 Sport and Film
028:171 Baseball in America
028:180 Theory and Ethics of Coaching
028:193 Independent Study
028:194 Honors Project
034:066 Social Inequality
045:065 Disney in America
045:152 Fairs and Amusement Parks

IV. Secondary Area (15 s.h.)

All students must complete 15 s.h. of coursework in a Secondary Area outside the major. Of the 15 s.h. in this secondary area, 6 s.h. must be in 100-level courses or courses designated by the offering unit as carrying advanced-level standing. These courses can be part of a minor or double major and cannot be taken pass/non pass.

Students may satisfy the Secondary Area requirement by taking 15 s.h. of coursework in another department of the student’s choosing. Three of the most commonly selected areas include sport management, sport journalism, and coaching. Additional details are below.

Sport Management in Sport Studies
The sport studies track provides a strong academic foundation for students interested in the field of sport management. Students can pursue this option by taking the sport studies elective 6E:165 Sports Economics and by fulfilling the Secondary Area requirement through coursework from the Tippie College of Business. Options include a minor in Business Administration; a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management; or an individually designed concentration on courses in business.

Sport Journalism in Sport Studies
The relationship between sport and the media has never been so pervasive, and the sport studies track provides a strong academic foundation for students interested in exploring that relationship within the field of sport journalism or sports information. Students can pursue this option by taking the sport studies core course 28:175 Sport and the Media and by fulfilling the Secondary Area requirement through coursework from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Options include a double major with the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (J-MC), minor in mass communication, or an individually designed concentration of courses from J-MC.

Coaching Authorization in Sport Studies
Sport studies students who are interested in coaching can prepare themselves through additional coursework that also qualifies them for a Coaching Authorization from the State of Iowa. Students must complete 15 s.h. including four required courses and an additional 3 s.h. of elective credits:
Required courses:
• 27:053 Human Anatomy (3 s.h.)
• 27:057 Basic Athletic Training (3 s.h.)
• 27:117 Human Growth and Motor Development (3 s.h.)
• 28:180 Theory and Ethics of Coaching (3 s.h.)

Suggested elective:
• 27:140 Exercise Physiology for the Practitioner (3 s.h.)

Students who successfully complete the requirements for the Coaching Authorization must submit an application to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. For more information, visit: http://www.boee.iowa.gov/doc/faqs_cch.html.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the sport studies major, students must complete a minimum of 24 s.h. coursework and they must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. Students who meet these criteria can declare the major at 120 Schaeffer Hall or through their advisor at the academic advising center.

Students who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirement but believe they qualify for exceptional admission should file a written appeal and supply any supporting documentation or evidence deemed relevant for making a valid judgment on admission into the sport studies major. These materials should be submitted for review to 210 Jefferson Building.