About Sport, Culture and Community, MA, PG Dip, Postgraduate Certificate - at Sheffield Hallam University
The study of sport and popular culture are two of the main growth areas in higher education.
This course is for people from academic backgrounds seeking further study and research. It is also suitable for practitioners in sports and cultural industries wanting a wider understanding of related social, economic and political issues and their effect on sports policy, process and practice.
The nature of sport and related cultural ideas and practices is complex and changing rapidly. As such you will approach the study of sport in the wider context of popular culture and the course uses various new perspectives as well as more orthodox theories and ideas associated with the sociology of sport and cultural studies.
The course focuses on present-day issues to bring appropriate social theories to life. This is important to understanding sport’s place in popular culture. It is this approach that distinguishes the course from other UK MAs related to the sociology of sport.
As well as providing a sound grasp of appropriate social theories the course addresses important issues associated with method, policy and practice in relation to the study of sport in popular culture.
Attendance full-time study – 12 months. Four taught modules per semester followed by a dissertation. Delivery of the taught modules is timetabled two days per week.
Attendance part-time study – minimum of 24 months, maximum of 60 months. Precise modes of study are tailored to the specific needs of the student where possible. Taught modules are followed by a dissertation. Delivery of the taught modules is timetabled one day per week.
Associated careersPotential careers are available in sports media, sports policy and community sports. If you already work in this area it allows you to deal more effectively with contemporary social, commercial and policy developments in the sports and cultural industries.
It also prepares you for further doctoral study.
AssessmentIncludes
coursework assignments
essays
management projects
problem solving exercises
group work
dissertation
formal examinations
Course contentModulessport, popular culture and social theory
sport and consumer culture
researching sport in popular culture
sport and celebrity culture
sport, community regeneration and social inclusion
applied research methods
contemporary formations of sport in popular culture
project
Successful completion of the MA is based on the submission of a project of between 15,000 and 20,000 words.
We supply an induction pack which includes a full reading list, before the start of the course. These introduce you to the general management and specialist modules.
There is a full induction programme at the University which prepares you for the course. During the induction we assess your existing study, IT and language (for international students) skills. This assessment leads to an individual learning plan to improve and develop your skills.
Entry requirementsNormally a good honours degree in a relevant discipline or an alternative qualification with appropriate relevant experience.
The course leader and/or members of the course management team interview applicants with non-standard qualifications to discuss their individual cases. Acceptance in this case may require you to complete a tailored programme of required reading before joining the course.
You may claim entry for credit or exemptions through accreditation of prior learning (APL) on the basis of your existing qualifications, knowledge and experience.
If your first language is not English you must provide evidence of competence in English such as TOEFL 235 or 570, or an IELTS 6.
