KINE/RECR 5140 – Women, Leisure and Sport

The University of North Texas

Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation

KINE/RECR 5140: Women, Leisure and Sport

Summer 2013

M – R 12:00 – 1:50 PEB 219

Instructor Information

Karen Weiller-Abels, Ph.D.

PEB 209

Phone: (940) 565-2856 – office

(940) 565-2651 – KHPR office

Office hours: M – W 2 – 3

Email:

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

Graduate Catalog Description: KINE/RECR 5140. Women, Leisure and Sport. 3 hours. Using historical, psychological, sociological an feminist perspectives as a framework, critical issues surrounding women, leisure and sport are presented. Focuses on women as consumers of leisure and sport experiences and on the social changes that are needed to expand and enhance their leisure and sport opportunities.

Course Objectives: After successfully complaint the course, students will be able to:

  1. Define key concepts in the study of women, leisure and sport.
  2. Identify key historical figures and events that have shaped women’s leisure and sport
  3. Appropriately apply sociological and feminist theoretical perspectives in the study of women’s leisure and sport.
  4. Critically examine sociocultural issues related to women’s leisure and sport.

Required Text:

Selected readings from scholarly journals. (will be listed in specific calendar outline).

  • All readings are available via: UNTs Library ( or online.

Selected readings from newspapers, popular press, and web.

Class Procedures and Requirements

Attendance is expected and will enhance your understanding of the material presented. You are expected to be in class, on time, and stay the entire period. If you do not attend class, all material presented is your responsibility to obtain. I will be happy to meet with you to answer questions, but I will not review the day’s lecture.

All readings should be completed on time. These will be part of class discussion and assignments.

Everyone must contribute for the class to be successful. This includes being prepared for class (completing assigned readings and all assignments on time), and participating in class discussions.

Please come with an open mind. You are to be respectful of others’ opinions and thoughts, even if they do not agree with your own.

Students are expected to behave in a responsible manner befitting a graduate class. Unacceptable behaviors include:

  • Reading the newspaper
  • Working on other courses
  • Leaving early/arriving late
  • Answering phone, texting, etc.

If you choose to engage in the following, I will remind you of appropriate behavior. Following the UNT Student Code of Conduct, if a student’s behavior (including, but not limited to, the above), is disrupting class, the student will be dropped from the course.

Failure to attend class on time, complete readings/assignments/participate in discussions MAY result in point deduction from your final grade.

It is my hope that each of you will think of this class as a place where students and instructor work together to learn and grow. I hope you put on that special pair of glasses that allows you to examine your thoughts, beliefs, and actions; examining what exists for women in the areas of leisure and sport – past, present, and future.

Other Important Information:

American with Disabilities Compliance: The Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. The designated liaison for the department is Dr. Chwee Lye Chng, Physical Education Building, Room 209, 565-2651. Copies of the KHPR Department ADA Compliance policies are available in the Chair’s Office, Physical Education Building, Room 209. Copies of the College of Education ADA Compliance Document are available in the Dean’s Office, Mathews Hall 214. The student has the responsibility of informing the course instructor of any disabling conditions that will require modifications to avoid discrimination.

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating will not be tolerated in the class. You are not to receive information from another student or give information to another student during a test or quiz. You are to use only your memory. Students caught cheating during an examination or quiz will be charged under the University's Code of Student Conduct. Among other punishments, students found guilty run the risk of having their score changed to a zero, receiving a grade of F for the course, and/or dismissal from the University. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and facilitating academic dishonesty. Cheating refers to collaborating on individual assignments and using unauthorized materials. Plagiarism refers to presenting ideas, words, or statements of another person without giving credit to that person. If you have questions about cheating or plagiarism, please see me.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Information: Students have the right to expect their grades will be kept confidential. There are a few things, because of the size and/or nature of this class, the instructor must advise you of regarding collection and distribution of test results, quiz scores, homework assignments, roll sheets, projects, etc. During this class it may be necessary for you to pass your assignments forward to the instructor or it may be necessary for the instructor to call your name and then return your completed assignment to you by passing it across the room. The instructor, under the reasonable assumption guidelines, assumes students are collecting only their own materials. Every attempt will be made to keep your information confidential. Neither your course grades nor grades for any assignment will be posted in a way that could result in your being identified by other students or faculty members.

Assignment Expectations: Written assignments must be typed, double-spaced, stapled in the upper left corner, include page numbers and include a cover sheet. All assignments must be turned in at the beginning of class on the assigned dates. I expect that assignments will be completed with proper grammar/spelling, appropriate presentation, and clear expression of ideas. The University Writing Center is a good resource. The Center is located in the Auditorium Building, Room 105. Call 565-2563 to make an appointment.

Course Overview and Outline

1. Introduction to Course

2. Understanding the past a. Timeline of women’s participation of leisure and sport

b.Key events and people in the development of women’s participation

c. Development of women’s participation in relation to broader social contexts

3. “Her”stories and socialization

a. Perceptions of what it means to be a female and feminine in society today

b. Personal experiences of leisure, sport, and physical activity

c. Socialization and social construction of gender

4. Women’s experiences of leisure, sport, and physical activity

a. Meaning of leisure and sport for women

b. Leisure and sport in everyday life

c. Constraints on leisure and sport

5. Title IX

a. Education and Title IX

b. Timeline and key events

c. Title IX and sport

6. Negotiating masculinity and femininity

a. Gender ideologies

b. Paradoxes of being female and being athletic

c. Women’s experiences of negotiating gender ideologies

7. Diversity

a. Sexual Orientation

b. Race and Ethnicity

c. Ability

8. Mass media

a. Quantity of coverage

b. Content and quality of coverage

c. Journalists, broadcasters, editors

9. Future of Sport for Women

Course Schedule

Tentative

MONDAY (June 3)

TOPIC: Course Introduction

Review of all assignments/readings

Initial discussions

TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY (June 4-5)

TOPIC: Understanding the Past

Timeline of women’s participation of leisure and sport

Key events and people in the development of women’s participation

Development of women’s participation in relation to broader social contexts

Readings:

  • A history of women in sport prior to Title IX
  • Aronson, S.H. (1952). The sociology of the bicycle. Social Forces, 30, 305-312.
  • Weiller, K. H. & Higgs, C. T. (1994) The All American girls professional baseball league, 1943-1954: Gender conflict in sport?Sociology of Sport Journal,11, 289-297.

Assignments:

Visit the following web pages:

Women’s Sports Foundation

National Association for Girls and Women in Sport

IOC Women and Sport Commission

One page reflection paper – based on your readings and class material, how do you think women’s involvement in sport today is similar to and/or different from the past? Due Wednesday, June 5. Be prepared to discuss/present in class.

THURSDAY (June 6)

TOPIC: “Her” stories in sport and Socialization into Society and Sport

What does it mean to be female and feminine in society today?

Socialization and social construction of gender

Personal experiences of leisure, sport, and physical activity

Readings:

  • Schmalz, D.L. & Kerstetter, D. L. (2006). Girlie girls and manly men: Children’s stigma consciousness of gender in sports and physical activities. Journal of Leisure Research, 38:4, 536-557.

Assignment:

One page reflection paper –How do people learn what it means to be male or female? How did you learn to be male or female? Consider the role of family, education, language, peers, and sport/leisure. Due Thursday, June 6. Be prepared to discuss/present in class.

MONDAY (June 10)

TOPIC: Feminist Theories

Review of liberal feminist theory

Review of socialist feminist theory

Review of radical feminist theory

Readings:

  • Goals of the Feminist Movement in the 60s and 70s
  • Feminism in waves: A brief overview of the first, second and third wave

TUESDAY – THURSDAY (June 11 - 13)

TOPIC: Women’s Experiences of Leisure and Sport

Meaning of leisure and sport for women

Leisure and sport in everyday life

Constraints on leisure and sport

Readings:

  • Henderson, K.A & Gibson, H.J. (2013). An integrative review of women, gender, and leisure: Increasing complexities. Journal of Leisure Research, 45, 115-135.
  • Mackay Yarnal, C. G., & Kerstetter, D. L. (2008).“I did not have time to play growing up… so this is my play time. It’s the best thing I have ever done for myself”: What is play to older women? Leisure Sciences, 30, 235-252.
  • Shannon, C. S., & Shaw, S. M. (2008). Mothers and daughters: Teaching and learning about leisure. Leisure Sciences, 30, 1-16.

Assignments:

One page reflection paper – In what ways does gender play a role in how you spend your leisure time and how you spend your money on leisure activities? How does leisure and sport fit into your time/money budget? Consider gender (and social expectations of you related to your gender) in terms of how you spend your time and money.

  • Due: Wednesday, June 11. Be prepared to discuss/present inclass.

Work on Interview/Generations assignment. You will interview (in person or via phone) two females about their experiences regarding leisure and sport. One of the girls/women should be older than you and the other younger. (Try to get people who are about 10 years older/younger).

  • Due: Thursday, June 13. Be prepared to discuss/present in class.

MONDAY-TUESDAY (June 17-18)

TOPIC: Title IX

Education and Title IX

Timeline and key events

Title IX and sport

How has Title IX affected coaching and administration for women/hiring practices

Readings:

Acosta, R. V. & Carpenter, L.J. (2012). Women in intercollegiate sport: A longitudinal, national study. Thirty-five year update. 1977-2012. Executive Summary. Project funded by Smith College’s Project on Women and Social Change.

  • You are to read: About our study and the Executive Report .
  • You are to scan the full report.

Title IX: Equity in School Athletics (AAUW website)

Assignment:

Title IX survey – have five people respond to the questions on the Title IX survey. Ask them all of the questions yourself (so you get a feel for their knowledge and attitudes).

  • Use survey questions from:
  • Due Tuesday, June 18. Be prepared to discuss/present in class.

WEDNESDAY – MONDAY (June 19-24)

TOPIC; Negotiating Masculinity and Femininity

Gender Ideologies

Paradoxes of being female and being athletic

Women’s experiences of negotiating gender ideologies

Readings:

  • Krane, V. (2001). We can be athletic and feminine, but do we want to? Challenging hegemonic femininity in women’s sport. Quest, 53, 115-133.
  • Krane, V., Choi, P., Baird, S.M., Aimar, C.M., & Kauer, K. J. (2004). Living the paradox: Female athletes negotiate femininity and muscularity. Sex Roles, 50, 315-329.
  • She’s a girl! So what? Women’s Sports Foundation website.

Assignment:

Current issue presentation - find a newspaper, internet, or magazine article about a recent issue/event related to the topic of negotiating masculinity and femininity. You will present this issue/topic in class and relate it to the course content. You will have 20 minutes (about) for the presentation. Plan on including a short class discussion activity.

  • Due Monday, June 24.

TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY (June 25-27)

TOPIC: Media

Quantity of coverage

Content and quality of coverage

Journalists, broadcasters, editors

Reading:

Messner, M.A. & Cooky, C. (2010). Gender in televised sports: News and highlights shows, 1989-2009.

Assignment:

Media analysis. You may choose to analyze print (e.g., newspapers, magazines) or electronic media (e.g., television, internet) for this project. Your task is to examine either the quantity or quality of coverage of women’s sport.

  • Due Wednesday, June 26. Be prepared to discuss in class.

MONDAY - TUESDAY(July 1- 2).

TOPIC: Diversity: Sexuality, Race, and Ability

Sexual Orientation

Race and Ethnicity

Ability

Readings:

(Sexual Orientation)

  • Sartore, M.L. & Cunninham, G.B. (2009). The lesbian stigma in the sport context: Implications for women of every sexual orientation. Quest, 61,289-305.
  • Playing in the closet: Homophobia in Sports. Women’s Sports Foundation website.

(Race)

  • Rhoden, W.C. (2012). Black and white women far from equal under Title IX. NY Times.

(Ability)

  • Hardin, M. (2007). “I consider myself an empowered woman”: The interaction of sport, gender and disability in the lives of wheelchair basketball players. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 16, 39-52.

Assignment:

  • Diversity presentation – We will have three groups – one for each subtopic (sexual orientation, race, and ability). Your group should plan on providing a brief overview of the readings, identifying key themes and ideas, and then leading the class in a discussion activity. Be creative. You will have approximately 30-35 minutes for your presentation.
  • Due: Tuesday, July 2. Be prepared to discuss/present in class.

Wednesday, (July 3).

TOPIC: Future of Leisure and Sport for Women

Reading/Assignment:

You are to find one article/popular press which addresses the future of leisure and sport for women. In a 1 page commentary – provide your view, based upon what we have covered, what will: a) remain the same and why, b) what may change and why, and c) what changes to women want in sport, and d)what type of paradigm shift may need to occur for there to be “real” changes for women in sport.

Due: July 3. Be prepared to discuss/present in class.

FRIDAY (July 5).

Culminating Reflection paper due. Be prepared to present/discuss in class.

Summary of course.

DATE / DAY / TOPIC / ASSIGNMENT
6-3 / M / Introduction to Course
6-4 / T / Understanding the past
6-5 / W / Understanding the past / Reflection Paper 1
6-6 / TR / “Her” stories in sport/Socialization into society and sport / Reflection Paper 2
6-10 / M / Feminist theories
6-11 / T / Women’s experiences of leisure and sport
6-12 / W / Women’s experiences of leisure and sport / Reflection Paper 3
6-13 / TR / Women’s experiences of leisure and sport / Work on Interview Project
6-17 / M / Title IX
6-18 / T / Title IX / Title IX survey due
6-19 / W / Negotiating masculinity and femininity
6-20 / TR / Negotiating masculinity and femininity / Work on current issue project
6-24 / M / Negotiating masculinity and femininity / Current issue project due
6-25 / T / Media / Work on media project
6-26 / W / Media / Work on media project
6-27 / TR / Media / Media project due
7-1 / M / Diversity / Work on group presentation
7-2 / T / Diversity / Group presentation due
7-3 / W / Future of sport and leisure for women / Commentary paper due
7-4 / TR / Holiday
7-5 / F / Culminating discussion / Culminating reflection paper due
You will sign up to present 2 readings. These are NOT noted on assignment list above.

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