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SPM104 Sport and sustainability (10 ECTS) 

Course facts

Course code
SPM104
Course title
Sport and sustainability
ECTS
10 ECTS
Semester
Fall/spring
Teaching
Online
Equivalent to
SPM103 Idrett og bærekraft 10sp
Course language
English
Academic responsible
Allan B. Grønkjær

Introduction

In this course, students get knowledge on sustainability and its relevance to sports. This knowledge will enable the students to apply in various roles at various workplaces, such as sport organisations, public administration, private sector businesses, and schools. The course handles social, economic and environmental aspects connected to sustainability. A central aspect are the sustainable development goals formulated by the United Nations (UN).

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student will be able to

  • describe different viewpoints of sustainability and sustainable development comprising historical, ethical and organisational perspectives.
  • explain the UN sustainable development goals, and connect these to national and international sports
  • illustrate Norwegian and international environment- and climate goals, and reflect on the impact that sports have on the environment
  • reflect on how Norwegian sports can enhance sustainability regarding social, economic and environmental aspects
  • discuss opportunities and challenges with specific measurements with the aim of making sports more sustainable

Learning styles and activities

Online teaching is built on six modules. The modules consist of written text and video-clips which also include tests and encourage the students to reflect on the topics.
Even though this course is online, and the students can steer the learning process by themselves, the students are encouraged to create discussion groups.

Mandatory assignment

  • All pages in each module must be completed. The online-learning platform "Canvas" will automatically control the progress.
  • At the end of every module, the student must submit a reflexion-note about a topic assigned by the academic responsible. The reflection note will be evaluated with pass/fail. 
    • All reflection notes must be passed in order to take the final home exam.

Assessment

The final home exam exists of three or four different questions. 4000 words. Given grade A-F.

Tasks submitted via Wiseflow will be run through plagiarism control. 

Core material

PARTS OF 2 BOOKS:
Casper, J. M. & Pfahl, M. E. (Eds.). (2015). Sport management and the natural environment: Theory and practice. Routledge.
Read chapter 1, 4 and 8:
* You will find the book in the Library here: ORIA
** This book is also available online/electronic: Click here to download.
*** NB! To open the electronic book off campus, you need to use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.

McCullough, B. P. & Kellison, T. B. (Eds.). (2018). Routledge handbook of sport and the environment (Routledge international handbooks). Routledge.
Read chapter 1, 2 and 3:
* You will find the book in the Library here: ORIA
** This book is also available online/electronic: Click here to download.
*** NB! To open the electronic book off campus, you need to use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.

7 ELECTRONIC ARTICLES IN JOURNALS:

NB! To open the electronic book off campus, you need to use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.

Barbier, E. B. & Burgess, J. C. (2017). The sustainable development goals and the systems approach to sustainability. Economics: The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal, 11(2017-28), 1-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2017-28
* This article is available online: Click here to download.

Barker, D., Barker-Ruchti, N., Wals, A. & Tinning, R. (2014). High performance sport and sustainability: A contradiction of terms? Reflective Practice, 15(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2013.868799
* This article is available online: Click here to download. 

Bucur, M. M., Macovei, S. & Margineantu, G. S. (2015). Sustainable development in the context of the Olympic Games. Science, Movement and Health, 15(2), 111-116. https://analefefs.ro/anale-fefs/2015/i2/pe-autori/5.pdf
* This article is available online: Click here to download.

Robinson, J. (2004). Squaring the circle? Some thoughts on the idea of sustainable development. Ecological Economics, 48(4), 369-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2003.10.017
* This article is available online: Click here to download. 

Smith, A. (2009). Theorising the relationship between major sport events and social sustainability. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 14(2-3), 109-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/14775080902965033
* This article is available online: Click here to download. 

Taks, M. (2013). Social sustainability of non-mega sport events in a global world. European Journal for Sport and Society, 10(2), 121-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/16138171.2013.11687915
* This article is available online: Click here to download.

van Wynsberghe, R., Derom, I. & Pentifallo Gadd, C. (2021). Legacy and sustainability in the Olympic movement’s new norm era: When reforms are not enough. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2021.1898442
* This article is available online: Click here to download.