Popular Literature
(Sports Literature) 289 - Sample Syllabus |
Course Policies |
Robert Sirabian
Office: 425 Collins Classroom Center
Office Phone: 346-4333
Email: rsirabia@uwsp.edu
Office Hrs: TBA
Return to Reading/Writing Schedule Page
This course surveys the
function and meaning of sport in literature and society by examining mythic, philosophical,
psychological, realistic, and cultural dimensions of sport.
During the semester will examine sport as an appropriate subject for literature
as well as the
connection between sport and literature by looking at fiction, short stories,
poetry, and nonfiction. Our
investigation will naturally lead us to basic questions about the meaning of
sport and about sport as a human and cultural phenomenon.
No one can doubt the central role of sport in our society today, and even
throughout the world, so it makes sense to explore why this is the case
through reading, thinking, discussing, and writing. Why are we so
interested in, obsessed with, and attracted to sport? It will be helpful
for us to have a basic understanding of play theory when discussing sport,
specifically the features of games (a type of play). Most notably,
games are artificial constructions that enhance competition through rules to
offer equal opportunity, challenges, fairness, and merit-based reward
(e.g.,winning). The appeal of sport is more than its entertainment
value. Of course, the most notable sport cliché--life is like a game, a
mircocosm of life (or is life a game?)--underscores the significance of
sport for us. The history and techniques of sports journalism, the most prominent type
of writing about sport, will also be discussed. Along these lines, the course is organized according to specific themes: Philosophy of Play, The Moment and Glory of Sport, Sport and Life, Race and Sport, and Sport and Gender. Because these themes are broad, there are numerous subthemes that fall under them we will pursue . Guiding questions for the course: In what ways does sport does mirror society? In what ways is it different from society or daily life? |
Sports
in Literature, 2nd.
ed., Bruce Emra (anthology)
In
These Girls, Hope Is a Muscle, Madeline Blais
Seabiscuit, Laura Hillenbrand
Texts can be purchased at the university bookstore
You should be prepared to discuss all of the reading assignments for the days they are scheduled in class. It is useful to mark key passages or scenes that point to central concerns or ideas in the works that are read. Readings not in the above texts will be available online or given as handouts. It is the student's responsibility to read online assignments and obtain handouts.
Assignments
due on a given day must be submitted during the class period. Having an
assignment finished but not printed out and ready to hand in is late. Late
assignments will be accepted one day after the original due date, but will lose
one letter grade or the point equivalent. After
that, no credit will be given. Assignments due electronically must be
received by the day and time specified or the above late will policy will also
apply. For any
special circumstances, please contact the instructor ahead of time. Also,
no incompletes will given in the course.
There will be weekly writing assignments,
quizzes, and two examinations
(a midterm and a final). Grades will be
determined using the percentages below; they are not based simply on effort or my
subjective opinion. The weight
of these is as follows:
Assignments* | 20% |
Quizzes* | 15% |
Midterm exam | 30% |
Final exam | 35% |
*To be determined by the
following point scale: A=100-90, B=89-80,
C=79-70, D=69-60
Plagiarism
You will be expected to do your own work throughout the course. Intentionally or unintentionally passing off the ideas, words, or sentences of others (e.g., published authors or other students) as your own is plagiarism, which will result in failing the plagiarized assignment or the course. Please review the University policy regarding plagiarism.
Reading/Writing Schedule |
Dr. Sirabian
Office: 425 Collins Classroom Center
Office Phone: 346-4333
Email: rsirabia@uwsp.edu
Office Hours: TBA
Assignments may be modified as
necessary. Weekly assignments are
not all listed here; they will be given in class/by email.
It will be useful to read the biographical introductions for each author we study.
Readings will be assigned from our textbook and passed out (Handouts).
Handouts are marked on the syllabus; all other readings are from our textbook.
Meeting Days |
Assignments |
Meeting Days |
Assignments |
Sept. 05 | Introduction | Oct. 31 | "Teeth" (Handout); "In the Pocket" (SL) |
07 | Reading/Writing about Literature | Nov. 02 | "Surfers at Santa Cruz"(Handout) |
10 |
Reading/Writing about Literature//Website--"The Most Dangerous Game" We will continue to discuss the story on the 12th and 14th. Assign Due |
05 |
Quiz Friday Night Lights, Pilot episode--NBC TV Series |
12 |
Philosophy of Play "The Nature and Significance of Play" (Handout) |
07 |
Friday Night Lights--NBC TV Series-Discussion "The Basketball Game" (Handout); From Rabbit, Run (SL) |
14 | "The Structure and Classification of Games" (Handout) | 09 |
Sports Journalism: "Johnson is Everywhere . . . "; "Great Day for Baseball . . ." (SL) |
17 |
Review Current Issues in Sports |
12 |
Quiz "The Unnatural Natural" (Handout) |
19 |
The Moment and Glory of Sport "Eight-Oared Crew" (SL) |
14 |
"The Unnatural Natural" Race and Sport "Baseball's Great Experiment . . ." (SL)/From Boys of Summer (Handout) |
21 |
Quiz "The Four-Minute Mile"; "The Sprinters" (SL) |
16 |
From
Boys of Summer (Handout)/ Major Taylor (Handout) |
24 |
"The Sprinters" Jump Shot"; "400-Meter Freestyle"; "In the Swim" (SL) |
19 |
Assignment Due "Champion of the World" (Handout)/ "Stop the Fight!" (SL) |
26 | From Bang the Drum Slowly (Handout);"Pitcher" (SL) " | 21 | "The Dawn Runner" (Handout--N. Scott Momaday) |
28 |
"Driving Lessons " (Handout); "Instruction in the Art ('Taking a Boy Fishing')" (SL) |
23 | Thanksgiving Break |
Oct 01 |
Review Current Issues in Sports |
26 |
Review Current Issues in Sports |
03 | Seabiscuit | 28 |
Sport and Gender
|
05 |
Quiz Seabiscuit (Presentations) |
29 | "Doe Season" (Handout) |
08 | Seabiscuit (Presentations) | Dec. 03 |
|
10 | Seabiscuit (Presentations) | 05 |
Quiz |
12 | Seabiscuit (Movie) | 07 | In These Girls . . . |
15 | Seabiscuit (Movie)/ Take-home Quiz | 10 | In These Girls . . . |
17 | Seabiscuit (Movie)/Take-home quiz due at the beginning of the period | 12 | "Playing Pool" (Handout) |
19 | Seabiscuit--Discussion | 14 | Review for Final Examination |
22 | "The 7-10 Split" (SL) |
Final Examination
(Please, No early or makeup exams):
TBA Office hours: TBA |
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24 |
"The Thrill of the Grass" (SL) |
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26 |
Midterm--Please, No Early Exams |
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29 |
Sport and Life "Eighty-Yard Run" (Handout) |
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