South African sport of late...

So lately SA cricket, rugby and the olympic team seem to be having not the best of times...
Conisdering the first two were doing so well untill recently, and in the latter case, SA's performance at the Olympics was its worst in 50 years.

We will unpack these issues in class this week, so give them some thought.

The ultimate sociological issue of our time in SA, is transformation. It affects not only sport but every aspect of society.
General thinking is that SA will either have to be happy with a focus on performance or transformation - both are not possible at the same time, or are they?
Will more money solve the problem? Have we been so engaged in our own transformation, that we have lost sight of how international sport has gone 'supersonic'.
Has this problem been around for a longer while, we just havent been aware of it beacuse of some brilliant individuals who brought home medals and kept opinion postive about the SA team in general.

Bring your opinions, but be sure to know facts.

The Oympics are over...what do you think?

Welcome back from your holiday.
on Monday we will be discussing some recent issues and how they relate to aspsct we have learnt so far about sport sociology.
Read the following articles and bring to class you opnion of what you think;
Read the follwing articles by clicking on the links below:
1. http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4577045&fSectionId=552&fSetId=662
2. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca146104-70ad-11dd-b514-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1
Enjoy

Mark

Readings from todays subjects...

Hello, here are a readings that relate to topics we covered today.

On designers jeans, and the rise of indivualism

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designer_label

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordache

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designer_jeans

On group behaviour and group dynamic:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_behaviour

On holligans and group violence:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooligan

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuals

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_hooliganism

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_Effervescence

Enjoy! and best of luck for next weeks exams

You are witness to Olympic History...

Two day ago, Michael Phelps, made history by winning the most medals of any Olympian in the modern era.

In the next couple of days he aims to win another 3 medals, to add to the five he has won in this Olympics alone. By doing this he will set another record that may not be broken in your lifetime, namely the most medals won in any one abled-bodied Olympics.

Firstly, I encourage you to watch this story unfold. It is history in the making.

Then what effect do you think this will have on the different societies of sport, swimming, and the Olympics. Why is this?

The following articles will give you some background:

1. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/13/sports/AS-OLY-SWM-Swimming.php

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Spitz

3. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,994874,00.html

Rising costs for 2010!!!

Read the following articles:

http://www.sa2010.gov.za/news/071120_moleketi.php

http://www.southafrica.info/2010/2010_wc_thoughts.htm

http://www.southafrica.info/2010/worldcup-overview.htm

It confirms the point made in class the other day, that such world events always cost more than originally budgeted for. This was one of the arguments against the Worldcup taking place here, and against the new stadium being built in Cape Town

What do you think are the arguments of a society for and against the World Cup, in light of these cost increases? Why are such costs worth it to a society, and why may they be problematic?

Which part of society is affected and how?

How would a Marxist approach view the situtaion. how would a functionalist approach view the situation?

South Africa's Performance at the Olympics

So far SA has no medals, and doesnt look like getting any, anytime soon.
Why do think this is?

Research the situation that has lead to some controversy and disatisfaction within the SA team. Look at pressclippings on IOL, News24 and others.

Now, from a sociological perspective:
1. What effect will this situation have on the greater society?
2. How will functionalists think the problem is? How will Marxist theories see the problem?
3. What effect will this have on the political and economic realms if any. What effect will it possibly have on greater society? Why?

You can also submit your thoughts on the blog.

Take care

Mark

Updates

Hello everyone, a couple of notices:

First, the Stentorians are now on 10 points, other teams you have yet to get off the mark.
Second, i have adjusted the setting fo this blog, so that you can make a comment much easier. try it an you will see.

Finally, see the next and ponder its question. We will discuss the issue sometime.

Thanks

Mark

Your assignment for Wed 6th August

Hello, as mentioned I am away this week on course at UCT.
Your homework is as follows:

In your groups, you must put together a 5 minute presentation on one of the theories of Sociology. The task list is below, ie which group does what theory.

You will conduct next times lesson, and present to the class what the theory is all about.
Start by reading you manaul, but then naturally search online for simple, easy to use information that helps you know what the theory is all about. Ask your librarian for assitance

I am not looking for some read out presentation. You will not be allowed any notes. I want to see that you understand the topic or have attempted. You can decide how your group will presentation, who will present. You can get as creative as you want and have fun with it. Pictures, music anything, but the class must be able to understand what the theory says. Also the class will be able to ask questions.
Winning team gets 20 points. No shows get -50 points. Team scores are all zero at moment

Ps Margeurite Hill the ADC may be popping in to see the presentations

Group 1: Marxism
Group 2: Interactionalism
Groups 3: Symbolic Interactionalism
group 4: Structuralism

Best of luck, Mark

Writing guide and Harvard Referencing

Hello all, please click on this link to take to you to UCT Library's Information literacy guide.
This was put togethere by the Westen Cape Education Consortium. The site is simple, easy to search and pretty straighforward.
For Harvard referencing follow the links under 'Communicate', then 'Compiling the Bibliography. If you are still struggling, enquiry at your campus library, they will help you.

http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/infolit/index.html

Thanks, Mark