Sports, culture and development cooperation. The program will not be offered 2020-21, 2021-22. 

Program of study

Program coordinator

Language of instruction

Scope

Main goal

This study program was established in close collaboration with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Confederation of Sports (NIF). Since the 1980s, NIF has actively involved in various development projects in southern Africa. Today, a number of Norwegian sports and aid organizations use sport as a tool in their development, peace and reconciliation work. Within the field of sport and development, there has been the shift from material aid and financial assistance to a stronger emphasis on competence building and knowledge exchange. The establishment of SCDC is primarily centered on NIF’s project “the Sport Peace Corps” (Idrettens Fredskorps in Norwegian), and should be considered as a part of the aforementioned exchange of knowledge.

The purpose of the Sport Peace Corps is to facilitate the exchange of sport volunteers between various parts of the world. For Norwegian students, this entails a nine-month placement within a host organization in southern Africa. NIF is responsible for the practical and financial aspects of the exchange, while NIH is responsible for the academic content and the financial cost of the academic program.

It is possible for students to go on exchange through different sport- or aid organizations that use sport as a tool for development. The student will then carry the responsibility for organizing and financing the exchange themselves. The program officer must approve of the alternative exchange program. NIH can assist students in finding organizations operating in Africa or other continents.

A mandatory introductory course (IKU 201 - Sports for development) is arranged during the fall semester. The student must also participate in a course at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, which is financed by NIH. This accounts for 10 credits, and is a mandatory part of the program. This one-year academic program can be incorporated as 60 credits into a bachelor’s degree from NIH. 

Learning outcomes

The Candidate:

Knowledge

• Has extensive knowledge about the national and international history of sport and development”, the role of sport and development in domestic and international sport and the challenges that Norwegian sports and development actors face in their work.
• Has fundamental knowledge about the role of sports as a tool for development and the limitations sports and physical activity have in this regard.
• Has fundamental knowledge about sports as a cultural phenomenon in a multicultural Norway.
• Knows of the challenges and ethical research dilemmas faced when working with sports in a different cultural context.

Skills

• Can apply theoretical and practical knowledge in order to identify, formulate and analyze problem statements, as well as plan and carry out academic project.
• Has extensive practical competence and an understanding of various sports methodologies relating to development work.
• Can contribute to higher competence and innovative thinking in the development of sustainable sport and development projects.
• Is able to see the relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge about sports in different cultures, and the work being done in a multicultural Norway.
• Is able to independently update and apply his or her knowledge about sport and development.

General competence

• Is able to work with sports in different cultural contexts.
• Is conscious of the ethical problems associated with working as a sports volunteer.
• Is able to convey sports specific knowledge and knowledge about the impact of sports for personal and social development in various cultural contexts.
• Is able to actively participate in academic discussions and assist in the development of relevant aid projects.  

Compulsory courses