Critical Sports Studies - Certificate

Critical sports studies—which examines sports and their social, cultural, historical and economic contexts—is a rapidly growing interdisciplinary and intersectional field that engages cultural studies, the humanities, social sciences and professional fields such as business, journalism and law. At CU Boulder, critical sports studies is a multifaceted discipline that addresses the growing interest in examining social and cultural issues in sport today. Critical sports studies is focused on understanding how sport and play function in society, how United States and global society is impacted by the economic and cultural influence of sport and how it can be harnessed to support social and cultural change. 

The certificate in critical sports studies is open to all degree-seeking undergraduate students pursuing any major at CU Boulder. The program framework demands that students analyze race, gender, politics and economics as they study sport, preparing students to engage in an increasingly diverse and globalized society. Students also participate in co-curricular and experiential activities to augment their understanding of the history, development, focus, functioning and future of sport in society. 

Requirements

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission into the certificate program will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Contact the director of the program to apply. Degree-seeking undergraduate students may apply before they begin coursework, while they are engaged in required courses or after they have completed certificate requirements.

Required Courses and Credits

A total of 18 hours of coursework are required to complete the certificate. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the interdisciplinary course offerings based in cultural studies, political science, history, study abroad, journalism, philosophy, communications, business, and writing and rhetoric.

All students are required to take ETHN 3024 Introduction to Critical Sports Studies. At least 6 additional credits must be taken within the Department of Ethnic Studies for a minimum total of 9 credits.

The remaining 9 credits must be taken in other departments and disciplines. Alternately students may take 6 credits in other departments plus 3 credits from an experiential learning course such as the Education Abroad Summer Seminar: ETHN 3704 Athlete as a National Symbol: Nationhood/Nationalism, Sport (offered annually).

A grade of C- or higher is required to count a class toward the certificate. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in certificate coursework in order to earn the degree. Courses not on this list may count toward the certificate with program director approval. Syllabi for courses not listed must be submitted to the the director for approval.