Course Objectives

This advanced course builds on a humanistic, social and cultural science perspective, with emphasis on sociology. The main theme is that the population’s participation in, and experience of, various forms of sport, outdoor life and physical education depends on the involvement of various institutions and agencies through various processes and mechanisms. In particular, organizations, government policies and the mass media play a crucial role, where conditions such as power and powerlessness, discipline and control, inclusion and exclusion, dissemination and exposure are central; and tabloidization, ritualization, gendered actions and interpretations are also important issues.

Course Description

• Concepts and perspectives in relation to movement, power and the media. Classical social theory, system theory, field theory and critical discourse analysis.
• The role and meaning of sport, outdoor life and physical education in everyday life and society. Activity patterns in sports and outdoor life activities, continuity and change. Reproduction of social inequality. The population’s interest in sports television, online sports, and sports in newspapers and on the radio.
• ‘The Norwegian model’ in the fields of sports and outdoor life recreation. Sports and outdoor life’s institutions and organizations. Visions, instruments, interests and legitimization, volunteerism, professionalism and commercialization.
• The struggle concerning sports and outdoor life facilities. Facilities, organization and policy tools. Rationality, knowledge and forms of understanding. Distribution of knowledge and power between the players in the field.
• Socio-materials and the use of facilities in relation to rigid meanings and tacit expectations. Experiences and experiences relating to material and situations. The use of facilities in relation to inclusion and exclusion mechanisms.
• Body, movement and space. Consequences for the formation of identity and belonging. The relationship between emotion and reason. What promotes and inhibits interest and participation?
• The Norwegian media. Media power and symbolic power. The status of sports journalism. Stability and change. New constellations and forms of cooperation. The media and postmodernity.
• Sports and outdoor life as ‘news’ and ‘entertainment’, their scope and assumptions.
• Tabloidization processes, stereotypes and rhetoric.
• Heroes and scandals. Myths, intimacy and the gendered order.
• Globalisation and postmodernity. The web’s power and agenda issues.
• Power and powerlessness in individuals, institutions or media and society. A summary of the issues.

Learning Methods

Roughly 50 hours of lectures in four-hour blocks during the spring semester.
Lectures, seminars and study/field trips. 75% compulsory attendance.

Assessment Methods

Trial lecture of approximately 30 minutes on a given topic and on the basis of An approved manuscript / article. Graded marks.

Students must have fulfilled the compulsory attendance requirement (75%) in order for the exam to be approved.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean