SPM104 Sport and sustainability (10 ECTS) 

Course facts

Introduction

In this course, students get knowledge on sustainability and its relevance to sports. This knowledge will enable the students to apply in various roles at various workplaces, such as sport organisations, public administration, private sector businesses, and schools. The course handles social, economic and environmental aspects connected to sustainability. A central aspect are the sustainable development goals formulated by the United Nations (UN).

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student will be able to

• describe different viewpoints of sustainability and sustainable development comprising historical, ethical and organisational perspectives.
• explain the UN sustainable development goals, and connect these to national and international sports
• illustrate Norwegian and international environment- and climate goals, and reflect on the impact that sports have on the environment
• reflect on how Norwegian sports can enhance sustainability regarding social, economic and environmental aspects
• discuss opportunities and challenges with specific measurements with the aim of making sports more sustainable

Learning styles and activities

Online teaching is built on six modules. The modules consist of written text and video-clips which also include tests and encourage the students to reflect on the topics.
Even though this course is online, and the students can steer the learning process by themselves, the students are encouraged to create discussion groups.

Mandatory assignment

• All pages in each module must be completed. The online-learning platform "Canvas" will automatically control the progress.
• At the end of every module, the student must submit a reflexion-note about a topic assigned by the academic responsible. The reflection note will be evaluated with pass/fail. 
  • All reflection notes must be passed in order to take the final home exam.

Assessment

The final home exam exists of three or four different questions. 3500 words. Given grade A-F.

Tasks submitted via Wiseflow will be run through plagiarism control. 

Core material

Parts from 2 books:
To open the electronic books off campus, you need to install a VPN client.

Casper, J. M., & Pfahl, M. E. (Eds.). (2015). Sport management and the natural environment: Theory and practice. Routledge.
Read chapter 1, 4 and 8. You may borrow the book from the library.
This book is also available electronic.

McCullough, B. P., & Kellison, T. B. (Eds.). (2018). Routledge handbook of sport and the environment (Routledge international handbooks). Routledge.
Read chapter 1, 2 and 3. You may borrow the book from the library.
This book is also available online/electronic.

9 electronic articles:
To open the electronic articles off campus, you need to install a VPN client.

Barbier, E. B. & Burgess, J. C. (2017). The sustainable development goals and the systems approach to sustainability. Economics: The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal, 11(2017-28), 1-23. http://doi.org/10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2017-28

Barker, D., Barker-Ruchti, N., Wals, A. & Tinning, R. (2014). High performance sport and sustainability: A contradiction of terms? Reflective Practice, 15(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2013.86879

Bucur, M. M., Macovei, S. & Margineantu, G. S. (2015). Sustainable development in the context of the Olympic Games. Science, Movement and Health, 15(2), 111-116. https://analefefs.ro/anale-fefs/2015/i2/pe-autori/5.pdf

Gammelsæter, H., & Loland, S. (2022), Code red for elite sport: A critique of sustainability in elite sport and a tentative reform programme. European Sport Management Quarterly, 23(1), 104-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2022.2096661

Müller, M., Wolfe, S.D., Gaffney, C. (2021). An evaluation of the sustainability of the Olympic Games. Nature Sustainability, 4, 340–348. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00696-5

Robinson, J. (2004). Squaring the circle? Some thoughts on the idea of sustainable development. Ecological Economics, 48(4), 369-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2003.10.017

Smith, A. (2009). Theorising the relationship between major sport events and social sustainability. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 14(2-3), 109-120. https://doi.org/10.1080/14775080902965033

Taks, M. (2013). Social sustainability of non-mega sport events in a global world. European Journal for Sport and Society, 10(2), 121-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/16138171.2013.11687915

van Wynsberghe, R., Derom, I. & Pentifallo Gadd, C. (2021). Legacy and sustainability in the Olympic movement’s new norm era: When reforms are not enough. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2021.1898442