MA533 The Social Body, Physical Activity and Health (10 ECTS) 

Course facts

Introduction

This course aims to provide students with knowledge about recent social theories of the body, and in particular the medicalised body. It will critically explore the contention that sport and physical activity are becoming medicalised and an important part of public health promotion, which increasingly relies upon individualised notions of health. It will address how digital wearable technologies are becoming integral to public health messages about the significance of active lifestyles, and how such technologies can affect people’s social and embodied identities.

The course is relevant for students who plan to work in a range of sports and physical activity settings, such as in sports coaching, teaching (Physical Education, Sport, and Health), and physical activity and health promotion. It is also relevant for students interested in developing a general understanding of the social body and physical culture.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course, students should be able to

• understand the range of social theories about the body
• know the ideology of sport-health and how it affects physical activity and health promotion
• know how digital wearable technologies can influence individuals’ embodied identities and physical activity
• identify and critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of a range of social theories about the body, and physical activity and health promotion
• critically analyse the strengths and weaknesses of social theory about the use of digital wearable technology in physical activity and health promotion
• present orally and write about matters of the social body, physical activity and health promotion 

Learning styles and activities

The course will be organised a series of lectures, seminars and group exercises/ presentations. 

Mandatory assignment

Students are expected to actively contribute to the seminar. Minimum 80% attendance.

There will be compulsory coursework. The coursework will be assessed as approved/ not approved. Approving the coursework will not be a prerequisite for taking the exam, but must be approved in order to pass the entire course. 

Assessment

An individual, written examination (7 days long) with access to resources. Graded A-F.