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Program Description
The Sport Studies minor is a broad, interdisciplinary, intercollege educational program for teaching students how to critically explore the role of sport (broadly defined) in human societies. It brings together the multitude of scholarly resources that Penn State currently possesses in the study of sport in society into a coherent program to provide novel learning opportunities for undergraduates. The Sport Studies minor fosters a critical understanding of sport in human societies. The program stresses the connections between sport and other social institutions and cultural concepts, examines sporting traditions across cultures and time periods, and analyzes sport from a multiple methodological perspectives. The minor examines the role of sport in shaping identities - including ethnic, racial, class, and gender identities as well as local, regional, national, and global identities. The minor explores how the commercialization of sport effects the way it is marketed and the extent to which economic incentives shape sport and how other businesses use sport. The minor also employs sport to explore the relationships between multiple knowledge domains - from the Arts, Humanities, Business, Law, and the Sciences (including the Health Sciences, Natural Sciences, and the Social and Behavioral Sciences) - that provide a broad overview of the world we inhabit.
What is Sport Studies?
Sport Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the social, cultural, historical, ethical, philosophical, psychological, organizational, and economic aspects of sport and physical activity. It delves into the relationships between sport and society, including issues of gender, race, ethnicity, (dis)ability, social class, and religion. Through research and critical analysis, Sport Studies explores topics such as sport media, governance, fan behavior, marketing, and globalization. Sport Studies contributes to our understanding of human behavior, social dynamics, and the broader cultural significance of sport worldwide.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You want to gain insights into social issues through sport
- You want to explore diverse aspects of sport, from history to economics
- You want to analyze the interactions between sport, culture, and identity
- You want to pursue careers in sports journalism, management, marketing, ethics, history, or research
Program Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
Requirements for the Minor
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
Race, Gender and Sport  | ||
| Sports in Asia | ||
| Introduction to the Sports Industry | ||
| Sports, Ethics, and Literature | ||
| Baseball in Comparative History | ||
| The Cultural and Behavioral Foundations of Kinesiology | ||
| Leisure and Human Behavior | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 12 credits of electives, at least 6 of which must be at the 400-level: | 12 | |
| History of Sport in American Society | ||
| Race, Gender and Sport | ||
| Sports in Asia | ||
CAMS/KINES 442 | ||
| Introduction to the Sports Industry | ||
| Sports, Media and Society | ||
| Sports Writing | ||
| Sports Broadcasting | ||
| Sports Information | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Issues in Sports Economics | ||
ECON 447W | ||
| Sports, Ethics, and Literature | ||
| Developmental Sport & Exercise Psychology | ||
| Baseball in Comparative History | ||
| Collective Bargaining in Professional Sports | ||
| The Cultural and Behavioral Foundations of Kinesiology | ||
| Psychology of Movement Behavior | ||
| The Historical, Cultural, and Social Dynamics of Sport | ||
| Meaning, Ethics, and Movement | ||
| Disability Sport and Recreation | ||
| Psychosocial Dimensions of Physical Activity | ||
| Exercise Psychology | ||
| Physical Activity Interventions | ||
| Psychology of Sports Injuries | ||
| Women and Sport | ||
| Physical Activity in Diverse Populations | ||
| Physical Activity and Public Health | ||
| Motivation and Emotion in Movement | ||
| Psychology of Sport Performance | ||
KINES 439W | ||
| Philosophy and Sport | ||
| History of Sport in the Modern World | ||
| Representing Sport in Popular Film | ||
KINES 486 | ||
| Principles and Ethics of Coaching | ||
| Principles and Ethics of Coaching | ||
| Sports Marketing | ||
| Sports Business Market Strategy | ||
| Leisure and Human Behavior | ||
| Introduction to Community Recreation | ||
| Introduction to Commercial Recreation and Tourism | ||
| Inclusive Leisure Services | ||
| Tourism and Leisure Behavior | ||
| Recreation Resource Planning and Management | ||
| Political and Legal Aspects of Recreation Services | ||
| Marketing of Recreation Services | ||
| Commercial Recreation Management | ||
| Recreation Facilities Planning and Management | ||
| Recreation and Park Management | ||
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
Jaime Schultz
Professor of Kinesiology
268M Recreation Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1032
jaimeschultz@psu.edu
Career Paths
Upon completing an undergraduate degree that includes a minor in Sport Studies, students can pursue various career paths. Opportunities include roles in sport journalism, management, marketing, and research. Participants may choose to further their education by pursuing graduate studies in fields such as sports management, sports psychology, or sports sociology. Advanced degrees can lead to positions in research, higher education, or specialized roles within the sport industry.
Careers
Completing an undergraduate degree that includes a minor in Sports Studies opens doors to entry-level positions such as sport analyst, marketing assistant for sport organizations, athletic program coordinator, consultant, and journalist. These opportunities provide avenues to apply knowledge gained in Sports Studies while exploring diverse aspects of the sports industry.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN SPORT STUDIES
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Upon completing an undergraduate degree with a minor in Sports Studies, students can pursue graduate studies in specialized areas such as sport history, sport philosophy, sport management, sport communications, sport psychology, and sport sociology. Graduate programs offer opportunities for advanced research, internships, and mentorship, preparing students for leadership roles in the sports industry, academia, or research institutions.
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY
276 Recreation Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-1163
KINESinfo@psu.edu
https://hhd.psu.edu/kines/undergraduate/minor-kinesiology/minor-sport-studies