Sport for development involves using sport as a catalyst to address a range of social, economic, political, and health issues. While a great deal of development occurs at a local level around specific needs or opportunities, sport has increasingly been utilized as a tool by policy-makers, philanthropists, and social entrepreneurs to develop marginalized groups. This course critically examines the intersections of sport, international development, and peace. In particular, various theories, concepts, and case studies are explored that contribute to understanding how international development practitioners, policy-makers, governments and donors may, or may not, be actively confronting norms and processes that make assumptions about intersections of race, colonialism, and other issues through developmental programming, policy, and practice.
Upon completion of this course, students achieve greater understanding of key theories in sport development and how social, cultural, and political landscapes might impact developmental policy, strategic operations, and managerial decision-making.
Understanding the greater context in which sport development exists assists a Christian sport management professional in creating opportunities and promoting interest and participation in sport, helping to revitalize sport within local communities, and to establish future growth and sustainability.
In our study of sport development, we draw on biblical principles and identify ways Christ-followers can work to impact local policy as a tool for peace.
Sport development offers an array of opportunities for Christian professionals to promote interest and participation in sport and provides many possibilities through which the Gospel can be shared.
Understanding the profound impact of how sport intersects with the larger context of economic, social, and political factors are key areas of focus for a sport development professional.
To develop and implement effective sport development policies, this course examines the cultural, social, and political landscapes that might impact decisions in the public and private sectors of sport.
In this course students learn how to design, formulate, and implement a sport development plan and to monitor and evaluate objectives.
Students are tasked with engaging in sport development as a volunteer so they can gain experience and interact with the course content.
