The course aims to present sport in contemporary society, investigating its structural and functional aspects and strategies, and subjective and intersubjective dynamics. Starting from a sociological perspective, the fundamental concepts of social capital, social support, body image and cultural identity in relation to sport in different groups of subjects are exposed in order to study physical activity for wellbeing, and social health as integration and recovery of social categories at risk. In particular, solutions for sport and individual wellbeing regarding body care and fitness presented both offline and online will be discussed, and sports practices for social wellbeing in associations and social networks will be analyzed. Specific attention will be paid to the relationship between sport and new media, according to a model of sport emerging from the integration between real and virtual in the perspective of digital wellbeing. The main result is to stimulate the skills and planning in thinking and creating social models for the promotion and communication of wellbeing through sport and physical activity.

The course is divided into several thematic modules.

1. Theories of sport as social phenomenon 

• Sructural-functionalism and AGIL model
• The theory of conflict and the critical perspective
• Sport, modern values and identities
• Sport between civilization and globalization 

2. Sport, physical activity and society

• Sport practitioners: types and motivations
• Sport socialization and video-socialization
• Sport as an instrument of cohesion, inclusion and solidariety
• Sport, deviance, violence and crime

3. Sport associations

• Rules and functions of sport associations
• Change of paradigm in sport associations
• Active citizenship and new rights in sport
• Sport networks and social capital

4. The well-being communication and sport

• The media construction of well-being: images and representations
• New models of sport for health and well-being on the web
• Sport consumption in the new media
• The role of technology in the search for well-being

5. New practices and places for active well-being

• Cultural studies and body work
• Physical activity, sport and new technology
• Sport social fan experience
• Fitness and digital gym
• Sport communities

Students will gain knowledge, and understanding of the main sociological theories of sport with particular reference to the issues and methods faced by different epistemological perspectives. Students will acquire this basic knowledge by attending the lectures and study of the texts discussed in class.

Students will also gain the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of concepts through the analysis of the social representations and functions of sport. The skills will be acquired through moments of exercise in the classroom.

Students will be able to independently analyze projects, plans and programs relating to the applications of sport in the social and educational fields. This ability will be exercised in the classroom in comparison with the teacher and study colleagues.

Students will be called upon to perform in the classroom communication skills by interacting with applications, trade with fellow students and writing short presentations for the final exam.

Students must be in possession of critical skills useful in identifying functional and adequate tools and methods in sport and physical activity contexts, simulating action plans, designing working hypothesis in the field.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching is carried out in ex-cathedra lectures, seminars, regular discussions in the classroom. During the lessons, we will used synthetic schemes and explanatory presentations, such as teaching aids to the understanding of the issues examined. Such material will be made available online. 

The teaching material and specific communications from the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures, class discussion, seminar activity, oral presentations, participatory lectures in which the presented works will be discussed, help texts.

Innovative teaching methods

The face-to-face teaching method will be enriched with individual and group exercises and insights that students will carry out using the university's moodle platform. Some topics of the course will be treated following the "flipped lesson" mode.

Attendance

For the exam students are required to prepare the texts indicated. Any examination programs customized, need to be agreed with the teacher. The students are required to expose the issues addressed during the learning activities in the form of seminary or discussion in the class.

Course books

S. Martelli, N. Porro, Nuovo manuale di sociologia dello sport e dell'attività fisica, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2018.

S. Martelli, I. Matteucci, G. Russo, Keep fit! Benessere attivo e nuove tecnologie, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2019. 
 

Assessment

Methods to assess the level of preparation of students consist in the final oral examination and in the exposure of the issues addressed during the learning activities in the form of seminar or discussion in the classroom.  

The exam will be held using an individual interview based on textbooks suggested. The aim is to evaluate both student's comprehension of the content and his ability in reworking concepts and in argumenting. It is possible to present a written document on a topic agreed with the teacher. 

Excellent grades will be given in presence of: a good critical perspective and in depth study; knowing how to link among them the main subjects addressed during the course; the use of an appropriate language.

Good grades will be given in presence of:  good mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relatively good critical perspective and connection skills related to the treated topics; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient grades will be given in presence of: the achievement of a minimal knowledge on the treated themes, even in presence of some gaps; the use of a not appropriate language.

Negative grades will be given in presence of: a difficult orientation related to the treated topics; knowledge gaps; the use of a not appropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Students not attending will have access to the synthetic schemes and explanatory presentations used by the teacher in class, such as teaching aids to the understanding of the issues examined. Such material will be made available online.

Attendance

For the exam students are required to prepare the texts indicated. Any examination programs customized, need to be agreed with the teacher.The students are required to know the synthetic schemes and explanatory presentations used by the teacher in class, such as teaching aids to the understanding of the issues examined. Such material will be made available online.

Course books

S. Martelli, N. Porro, Nuovo manuale di sociologia dello sport e dell'attività fisica, Milano, Angeli 2013.

S. Martelli, I. Matteucci, G. Russo, Keep fit! Benessere attivo e nuove tecnologie, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2019. 
 

Assessment

Oral examination.

The exam will be held using an individual interview based on textbooks suggested. The aim is to evaluate both student's comprehension of the content and his ability in reworking concepts and in argumenting. It is possible to present a written document on a topic agreed with the teacher. 

Excellent grades will be given in presence of: a good critical perspective and in depth study; knowing how to link among them the main subjects addressed during the course; the use of an appropriate language.

Good grades will be given in presence of:  good mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relatively good critical perspective and connection skills related to the treated topics; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient grades will be given in presence of: the achievement of a minimal knowledge on the treated themes, even in presence of some gaps; the use of a not appropriate language.

Negative grades will be given in presence of: a difficult orientation related to the treated topics; knowledge gaps; the use of an inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.