Psych. 120.009

The Psychology of the African American Athlete and Society

Dr. Robert Sellers
3253 East Hall
(734) 647-3949
rsellers@umich.edu
Office Hours: TBA

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Course Description.

The purpose of this course is to provide a forum for discussion and analysis of the unique condition of the African American athlete in this society. The course takes a multidisciplinary approach to examine historical and contemporary issues that face the African American athlete. Special emphasis is placed on the life experiences of certain African American athletes and the sociocultural climate in which they live. This course is taught as a seminar with class discussions as the primary mode of operation. Students are encouraged to integrate their personal experiences with course materials during class discussion. Students will be expected to work in groups extensively as part of the requirements for the course. Also, class attendance and participation in the discussion is mandatory.

 

Course Requirements:

1. Students are required to attend and participate in all classes. A significant portion of each students final evaluation will be based upon her/his participation in the class discussion.

2. Students are required to complete the assigned readings before class.

3. Students are required to form discussion teams in which they will be responsible for constructing and presenting a cogent argument for an assigned viewpoint on the day's discussion questions.

4. Student are required to select an approved biography or autobiography of an African American athlete and write a critique of the book. The critique will consist of an analysis of the athlete's life taking into consideration the relevant issues discussed in class.

5. Students will orally-present a review of their selected autobiography or biography to the class.

6. There will be both a midterm and a final examination that will consist primarily of essay questions covering the reading materials and class discussion.

 

Course Grading:

Class Participation........10%

Discussion Group..........20%

Midterm Exam..............20%

Final Exam....................20%

Book Report.................20%

Class Presentation.........10%

 

* All written material is to be neatly typed with proper grammar and spelling. Under no circumstance will late papers be accepted.

Text Book:

Brooks, D. & Althouse, R. (2000). Racism in college athletics: The African-American athlete's experience (2nd Ed.). Morgantown, WVA: Fitness Information Technology, Inc.

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Class Schedule

Sept. 6: Introduction to the Class

Sept. 13: History of the African American Athlete

Brooks & Althouse Essays 1 and 2

Sept. 20: History of the African American Athlete

Brooks & Althouse Essays 3 and 4

Sept. 27: The Role of Athletics in the Development of the African American Male

Oct. 4: The Role of Athletics in the Development of the African American Female

Brooks & Althouse Essays 9, 10, and 11

Oct. 11: African Americans in Coaching and Administration

Brooks & Althouse Essays 5 and 6

Oct. 18: The Superiority of the African American Athlete

D. Wiggins (1989); LeFlore (1982); Worthy & Markle (1970); Phillips (1993)

Oct. 25: Sports The African American Athlete and Intercollegiate Athletics

Brooks & Althouse Essays 12 and 13

Nov. 1: The African American Athlete and Professional Sports

Nov. 8: The African American Athlete and the Media

Fimrite (1990); W. H. Wiggins (1988); Murrell & Curtis (1994); Lumpkin & Williams (1991); Wonsek (1992)

Nov. 15: The African American Athlete and Educational Attainment

Brooks & Althouse Essays 7 and 8

Nov. 22: Thanksgiving-No Class

Nov. 29 The African American Athlete and Protest

Moore (1991a & 1991b); D. Wiggins (1988); Spivey (1988)

Dec. 6: Future of Intercollegiate Athletics

Brooks & Althouse Essays 15 and epilogue

Dec. 13: Oral Presentations

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