In this course, we will look at the role of sport, recreation, and play in various societies. In particular, the influence they have on societal systems, including religion, as well as how societal systems shape and influence sport and recreation. Areas of study will include; socialization, spiritual formation, competition, violence, and questions of race, gender and class.
Sport and recreation offer an environment within which it is possible to minister to the needs of people practically anywhere in the world but this does not happen automatically. Students in this course will examine how and why sport developed and how it interacts with other domains of social life such as education, politics, economics, religion and others.
Many institutions, including the Church, have tended to view “sport” and “recreation” as pure and positive endeavors while failing to evaluate them and offer constructive criticism. If we can understand, appreciate and engage them from a biblical perspective we will be well on the way to redeeming them and the people that inhabit them.
Relationship is a topic about which scripture has much to say. As we look at biblical instruction on how we are to relate to our fellow human beings, we are better able to identify the positive and negative aspects of the sport recreation environment.
To make the most of the opportunity that sport and recreation provides, we must understand the nature, structures, and societal influences of the environment that we are in. Knowing where they conflict and where they accommodate ministry is vital.
Current trends and challenges within sport and recreation will be examined and students will also be tasked with doing specific observation in a sport or recreation activity that they are currently involved with.
The social construct of sport and recreation is not singular but varies from sport to sport, country to country, from level to level. Important in this area of our study is how globalization and multiculturalism is affecting sport and recreation.
Based on our understanding of the people, the purpose and the place, what are best ways to meet needs of people within the activities we manage? Students will survey specific activities and their contexts and recommend appropriate missional practices.
Taking the missional practices they have proposed, students will implement them within their own sphere of activity.
