UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA - SCHOOL OF KINESIOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA – SCHOOL OF KINESIOLOGY

KIN 383 – The Modern Olympics: Power, Politics and Performance
Tues / Thurs 2:00 to 3:30pm (Term 2, Winter 2019)

 Location: Woodward 1, 2198 Health
 Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

 Patricia Vertinsky
 patricia.vertinsky@ubc.ca

 TA’s                                     Office: Physical Culture & Sport History Group,
 Aishwarya Ramachandran                   Ponderosa Office Annex C - 2021 West Mall, 101C
 aishwarya.ramachandran@alumni.ubc.ca
 Jeanette Steinmann                       Office Hours: By appointment
 jeanette.steinmann@ubc.ca

 GRA
 Kimberley Ekstrand
 Kimberley.

Course Description

Very few cultural phenomena today attract as much attention as the Olympic Games though it is
often easy to forget that the original Olympics, as well as their 19th century revival had as much
to do with exercise and education as with the competitive entertainment of sport and the
spectacle of the arena. This course examines the Modern Olympics as they have emerged over
the past century to become one of the most pervasive sporting festivals and mega events in the
world. From the earliest efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin to re-establish the ancient Olympic
Games in 1896, through the Nazi Olympics and the Cold War, to the emergence of China as an
Olympic power, and the awarding of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter games to
Vancouver, followed by London (2012), Sochi (2014), Rio (2016), PyeongChang (2018) and
next year, Tokyo (2020). During the semester, we will explore international conflicts,
organizational power struggles, gender, race and disability debates, sites of corruption, Olympic
symbols, and athletes’ struggles around access, sex-testing, drugs and performance enhancement
associated with various Summer and Winter Olympic Games, as well as the many issues of
exercise and education that have become attached to the Olympic experience. The course will
include lectures, films, videos, visiting experts, group projects, and individual assignments.
Students will be expected to participate fully and reflect critically upon past, current and future
issues affecting the global role of the Olympics and its wide-ranging effects upon sport, culture,
ethics, organizational politics, health and medicine, and the environment.

Format and Procedures

This class consists of two 80 minute classes per week. Classes include lectures, class
discussions, guest presentations, media and small and large group activities. Since this

course highlights participation and discussion participation in class and group work is
crucial. Students are expected to complete assigned course readings and activities by the
assigned date and take supporting notes where appropriate. They are expected to be
capable of initiating discussion concerning the readings as well as the topic more
generally throughout the duration of the semester. Students may also be called upon to
prepare specific presentations to the class based on the readings and/or other Olympic
related participatory activities.

Course requirements

Third year standing or with the permission of the instructor

Policies and Expectations

Regular attendance is required. Students are responsible for all material covered in class
and any other information provided whether in attendance or not. Students who are
unavoidably absent because of disability or illness should report to their instructor upon
return to class. Where prior consultation is not possible students should contact the
instructor as soon as possible and submit supportive documentation to the Undergraduate
advising office. Students also have the right to request academic concessions from the
Undergraduate advising office. Students whose attendance or performance may be
severely affected by medical, emotional or other disabilities should consult with the
instructor early in the term to discuss any special accommodations that might be needed
in order to complete course requirements. Supportive documentation from either the
disability resource center or a physician must be submitted to the Undergraduate advising
office.

Readings and Resources

There is no course pack for this class. All readings are accessible on the course library reserve
and students are expected to complete designated readings prior to class. This is particularly
important as the readings and discussions are necessary for the integration of the material. Class
notes will be made available in ppt. file-format through Canvas prior to each class and students
are encouraged to bring these notes along to class.

All required readings are available on Library Course Reserve (available through Canvas) or from the
instructor. On Canvas there is a variety of selected additional and optional readings and resources that are
simply suggested for students to engage with according to their own research interests and background.
Direct link to course reserve: https://courses.library.ubc.ca/c.qs2nQk

Evaluation

Course assessments have been planned to facilitate different learning styles and provide students
with the opportunity to obtain marks for both individual and group assignments throughout the
semester.

Assessment 1: Class attendance and participation.

 Details              Active individual participation is required throughout the semester.
                      Marks for participation will be obtained through class attendance,
                      spot quizzes, current events, and in class participation. Attendance
                      will be monitored periodically through canvas.
 Due Date             Ongoing
 Weight               10%

 Assessment 2: Small Group Discussions/ Reflections/
 Details            Throughout the semester, students should come to class prepared to
                    reflect upon and discuss the week’s required readings. The purpose
                    of this type of assessment is to provide an opportunity for students to
                    engage in both class debate and small groups in a deeper
                    conversation about the course themes, readings and application
                    activities. TA’s will facilitate these group discussions and keep track
                    of responses. In addition, 4 times during the semester students will
                    be requested to respond individually, in writing to questions
                    concerning specific readings or class materials by uploading a 200-
                    word response to canvas.

 Weight               20%

 Assessment 3: Midterm Exam
 Details           Questions about and the specific structure of the Midterm written
                   exam will be provided early in the semester. The exam will focus
                   upon the first 7 themes of the course.

 Due Date             February 14, 2019.
 Weight               30%

 Assessment 4: Term Research Project – Group Project

Details             Early in the course, students will be divided into groups of 6 for the
                     term project. This project has two components: a group paper as
                     well as a group presentation. Groups will select a specific Olympic
                     sporting event from a provided list, and examine the various roles
                     and permutations this event has played in modern Olympic history
                     in relation to the themes of the course, such as politics, race and
                     gender issues, nationalism, sports training, technology and
                     performance, athletic excellence etc. Each member of the group
                     will be required to focus upon – and write about - a specific issue
                     related to their event. The final group project will include all these
                     contributions as well as an introduction and conclusion co-authored
                     by all group members. Groups will be given ample in-class time and
                     support throughout the semester to work on this assignment. More
                     details will be provided within the first few weeks of the course.
 Due Date            Presentation: 20 minutes in class during Weeks 13 – 15. Groups are
                     encouraged to use a variety of presentation modes to demonstrate
                     their research abilities and extensive coverage of their subject as well
                     as their presentation skills.
                     Paper: April 11, 2019.
 Weighting           Group Presentation: 20%
                     Group Paper: 20%

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

Thurs Jan 4, 2019

Review scope of course, learning objectives, requirements and evaluation procedures. Discuss
background and interests of students in Olympic affairs.

WEEK 2: THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN OLYMPICS

Tues, Jan 8 PIERRE DE COUBERTIN AND THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN
OLYMPICS IN 1896

Reading: Nigel Crowther, “The State of the Modern Olympics: Citius, Altius, Fortius,”
European Review, 12, no 3. (2004): 445-460.

Thurs Jan 10 THE ANTHROPOLOGY GAMES, SCIENTIFIC RACISM
             AND THE ABORIGINAL ATHLETE

 Readings: Mark Dyreson, “Region and Race: The Legacies of the St Louis Olympics,”

International Journal of the History of Sport, 32, no. 14 (2015): 1697-1714.

          Christine O’Bonsawin, “No Olympics on stolen native land: Contesting
          Olympic narratives and asserting indigenous rights within the discourse of
          the 2010 Vancouver Games,” Sport in Society,13 no.1 (2010): 143-156.

WEEK 3: SOCIAL CLASS, MANHOOD AND THE AMATEUR QUESTION

Tues, Jan 15 CHARIOTS OF FIRE (part 1): Social class, manhood and anti-Semitism

Reading: Ellis Cashmore, “Chariots of Fire: Bigotry, Manhood and Moral Rectitude in an Age
of Individualism,” Sport in Society 11, no.2 (2008): 159-273.

Thurs Jan 17     CHARIOTS OF FIRE (part 2): Amateurism and professionalism

Reading: L.A.Jennings, For love or money: A History of Amateurism in the Olympics Games.
https://sorts.vice.com/en_ca/article/gvaqdm/for-l0ve-or-money-a-history-of-amateurism-in-the-
olympic-games

Group discussions and class debate. Reflections no. 1.

WEEK 4: THE OLYMPICS, POLITICS AND IDEOLOGY

Tues, Jan 22 THE NAZI OLYMPICS: Berlin 1936 and the invention of traditions.

Reading: Mario Kessler, “Only Nazi Games? Berlin 1936: The Olympic Games between Sports
and Politics,” Socialism and Democracy, 25, no.2 (July 2011): 125-143.

Holocaust Museum, Washington DC. https://encycloopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-
nazi-olympics-berlin-1936

Thurs, Jan 24 GLOBAL CONFLICTS AND THE OLYMPICS: Munich Olympics 1972
and the Black September Massacre.

Reading : Kay Schiller and Christopher Young, The 1972 Munich Olympics and the Making of
Modern Germany. University of California Press, 2011, Introduction.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/may/02/50-stunning-olympic-moments-munich-
72

WEEK 5: RACE, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE 1968 MEXICO OLYMPICS

Tues, Jan 29 ATHLETE ACTIVISM: Mexico 1968 and the black first protest.

Readings; Jules Boykoff, “Protest, Activism and the Olympic Games: An Overview of Key
Issues and Iconic Moments,” International Journal of the History of Sport, 34, no 3-4 (2017):
162-183.

Andrew Maraniss, The Mexico City Olympics Protest and The Media.
https://theundefeated.com/features/mexico-city-olympics-protest-media-john-carlos-tommie-
smith/

Thurs, Jan 31 ATHLETE ACTIVISM AND THE FUTURE OF THE OLYMPIC
MOVEMENT.
Group discussions and class debate. Reflections, no. 2.

Dr Harry Edwards on the Athlete Activist under Trump, uploaded Nov 2016. Retrieved from
www. edgeofsportspodcast.com/post/153277948375/dr-harry-edwards-on-the-athlete-activist-
under-trump

WEEK 6: NO ROOM FOR WOMEN: GENDER STRUGGLES AT THE OLYMPICS

Tues, Feb 5 FEMALE OLYMPIANS LONG FIGHT FOR THE MARATHON AND THE
SKI JUMP

Readings; Jaime Schultz, “Going the Distance: The Road to the 1984 Olympic Women’s
Marathon,” The International Journal of the History of Sport, 32, no 1 (2014):72-88.

Ann Travers, Women’s Ski Jumping, the 2010 Olympic Games, and the Deafening Silence of
Sex Segregation, Whiteness and Wealth,” Journal of Sport and Social Issues, (2011): 1-20.

Thurs, Feb 7 SHE RUNS LIKE A MAN: THE POLITICS OF SEX TESTING

Readings: Jaime Shultz, “Caster Semanya and the Question of ‘Too’: Sex Testing in Elite
Women’s Sport,” Quest, 63 (2011): 228-243.

Or, Lindsay Parks Pieper, “Preserving la difference: the elusiveness of sex-segregated sport,”
Sport in Society, Oct, 2014. https://ussporthistory.com/2014/10/09/opening-pandoras-box-
transgender-athletes-and-the-fight-for-inclusion

Media: Sports on Fire, She Runs like a Man. (25mins)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-UX0LE_tCg

WEEK 7: THE WINTER OLYMPICS AND THE EFFECTS OF THE COLD WAR

Tues Feb 12 ‘EAST PLAYS WEST’ : The Winter Olympics and the cold war on ice!

Reading : John Soares, “Very Correct Adversaries: The Cold War on Ice from 1947to the
Squaw Valley Olympics,” The International Journal of the History of Sport, 30, no 13
(2013):1536-1553.

Media: Sport on Fire: A Cold War. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc2f1gGLdHM
(23mins)

Thurs Feb 14    IN CLASS - MID TERM EXAM

READING WEEK (8 ) - Feb 18-22

WEEK 9: THE WEST vs. THE REST: THE GLOBALIZATON OF THE OLYMPICS

Tues Feb 26 A CENTURY OF STRUGGLE AND THE TRIUMPH OF
               BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008.

Readings : Orville Schell, China, Humiliation and the Olympics, The New York Review of
Books, Vol 55, No 13, Aug 14, 2008.

Susan Brownell, “Human rights and the Beijing Olympics: Imagined Global Community and the
Transnational Public Sphere,” The British Journal of Sociology 63, no. 2 (2012): 306-327.

Thurs Feb 28 JAPAN AT THE OLYMPICS: FROM THE 20TH CENTURY TO
              TOKYO 2020

Reading: tba

WEEK 10: DOPING: THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF DRUG CHEATING AT THE
OLYMPICS

Tues Mar 5     DOPING SCANDALS AT THE OLYMPICS

Reading: Ian Ritchie, Cops and Robbers? The Roots of Anti-Doping Policies in Olympic sport,
Origins, 2016, retrieved from
https://origins.osu.edu/article/cops-and-robbers-roots-anti-doping-policies-olympic-sport

John Gleaves, Matthew Llewellyn, Alison Wrynn, “Sex, Drugs and Kinesiology: A Useful
Partnership for Kinesiology’s Most Pressing Issues,” Quest 67, no 1(2015): 1-16.

Group discussions and class debate. Reflections No 3.

Thurs Mar 7 THE OLYMPICS AND DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Liv Yoon and Jordan Wade discuss the devastation of Mt Gariwang at the 2018 Winter
Olympics in South Korea

Reading: Liv Yoon, “To see the world through a mountain: Mount Gariwang and the 2018
Pyeongchang Olympic Games,” The Society Pages, June 7, 2017. Retrieved from
https://thesocietypages.org/engagingsports/tag/olympics/

WEEK 11: OLYMPIC LEGACIES AND THE FUTURE OF THE GAMES

Tues Mar 12 THE RAPIDLY CHANGING SHAPE AND SPACE OF SPORTING
EVENTS AT THE OLYMPICS

Reading: Belinda Wheaton and Holly Thorpe, “Action Sports, the Olympic Games and the
Opportunities and Challenges for Gender Equity: The Cases of Surfing and Skateboarding,”
Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 42, no 5 (2018): 315-342.

Thurs Mar 14 NOBODY WANTS THE GAMES: LEGACIES, WHITE
         ELEPHANTS, MASSIVE DEBTS, AND NATIONAL CRISES

Readings : Mark Dyreson, “Athletic Clashes of Civilizations or Bridges over Cultural Divisions:
The Olympic Games as Legacies and the Legacies of the Olympic Games, “International
Journal of the History of Sport, 25, 14, (2008): 2117-2129

John J. MacAloon, “Olympics 2020 and the Olympic Movement,” Sport in Society, 19,6, 2016,
767-785.

Group discussion and class debate. Reflections no 4.

WEEK 12: ‘GETTING UP CLOSE TO OLYMPIC EVENTS: GROUP
PRESENTATIONS (20 mins)

Tues Mar 19 Groups 1-4

Thurs Mar 21 Groups 5- 8

WEEK 13: GROUP PRESENTATIONS

Tues Mar 26     Groups 9-12

Thurs Mar 28 Groups 13- 16

WEEK 14: GROUP PRESENTATIONS

Tues April 2 Groups 16-20

Thurs April 4 LAST DAY OF CLASS – DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF THE
OLYMPICS?