The Psychology of the African American Athlete and Society
Dr. Robert Sellers
3253 East Hall
(734) 647-3949
rsellers@umich.edu
Office Hours: TBA
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.
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