Sports as Social and Global Phenomena (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

Weekly sequencing
o Weeks 1–2: Introduction, key concepts, launching teamwork assignment with international partners
o Weeks 3–4: Theoretical perspectives and case studies, joint online sessions with partners
o Weeks 5–6: Teamwork supervision
o Week 7: Joint seminar and workshop with international partners

Objective

Having completed this study unit,
· You recognize the importance of sport to communities and the benefits of sport participation for individuals.
· You can identify the globalisation and nationalisation of sport, and the extent to which sport has been used in social activism.
· You can identify the complex nature of sport, race, gender, culture identity and the sports world.
· You know the impacts of global sport movements (incl. The Olympics).

Competences: Learning to learn Competence, Ethics Competence, International and multiculturalism Competence

Content

Theme 1. Discover the important role sport plays in communities.
Theme 2. Sport at all levels, locally, nationally and globally.
Theme 3. Sport and social benefits
Theme 4. Discover the Olympic movement

Location and time

Most of the lectures and learning activities take place in class (about 80%), while several sessions can be are carried out online, typically with the participation of lecturers and students from partner universities abroad. The on-site sessions are held at Lapland University of Applied Sciences, Rovaniemi campus.

Materials

The learning materials used in the course include online materials, articles related to the topic, and books. The learning materials will be announced in Moodle online learning environment at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Teaching employs a range of pedagogical methods to support diverse learning needs and active engagement. The course combines lectures, teamwork, problem and project -based learning, practice-based workshops, and independent study to foster both theoretical understanding and practical application. Project- and practice-based learning activities are integrated throughout the course, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in real or simulated contexts and to develop collaborative and problem-solving skills.

The course uses Teams, Moodle online learning environment

The course will be assessed based on the completion of course assignments and the project work.
Course completions are assessed within one month after the course ends.

This course follows the Arene’s recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence for universities of applied sciences. Use of AI is allowed during the course — you may use it, but you must disclose it (yellow). However, its use is prohibited in the final exam — you may not use it (red).

Employer connections

Problem based learning : students work in teams on a project case related to their specific field of operations, focusing on the development of solutions to real-life challenges. Inquiry-based learning – Students search for relevant information from various sources and develop new perspectives.The course further incorporates company challenges and case studies, including visits to partner companies to enhance practical understanding and contextual application.

Exam schedules

Examination is based on course assignment portfolio.

Students have to complete the course assignment portfolio in order to complete the course. The portfolio includes:
- Course project and presentation in teams
- Real life business challenge assignment in teams
- Self-reflection and peer-reflection on entire course learning journey and collected experiences, individually and in teams
- Learning diary, individually
- Active participation in joint seminar and workshop held with international partners on 23-24 February, 2026

It is possible to improve the course grade by the end of the following semester. The method for improvement will be determined on a case-by-case basis, together with the teacher responsible.

A failed grade can be retaken by the end of the following semester. Retaking will be done according to the teacher’s instructions, and the performance criteria will be agreed upon on a case-by-case basis, reflecting the objectives of the course.

International connections

During the course invited lecturers from international partner universities will provide theme lectures and will supervise the teams during the course project.
Partner universities include: Turiba Business School (Latvia), FH Aachen (Germany), Fontys UAS (Netherlands)

Completion alternatives

There is no provision for alternative completion methods. Alternative completion methods are discussed with the responsible teacher in particular case-by-case situations.

Student workload

The course is worth 5 credits, which corresponds to approximately 135 hours of total work.

The student workload is distributed on average as follows:
- Face-to-Face on-campus/online study and workshops: 60 h (e.g., lectures and exercises, project work, reporting, presentation)
- Independent learning and preparation: 40 h (reading materials, exercises, learning assignments)
- Group work and collaborative learning: 35 h (project work, peer feedback)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Level 1
Sport as a Social and Global Phenomena:
You are able to describe the importance of sport to commu-nities and the benefits of sport participation for individuals.
You are able to name the global-sation and nationalisation of sport, and the extent to which sport has been used in social activism.
You are able to name the complex nature of sport, race, gender, culture identity and the sports world.
You know the impacts of global sport movements.

Level 2
Sport as a Social and Global Phenomena:
You know the importance of sport to communities and the benefits of sport participation for individuals.
You know the globalisation and nationalisation of sport, and the extent to which sport has been used in social activism.
You know the complex nature of sport, race, gender, culture identity and the sports world.
You know and are able to describe the impacts of global sport movements.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Level 3
Sport as a Social and Global Phenomena:
You understand the importance of sport to communities and the benefits of sport participation for individuals.
You understand and are able to describe by using examples the globalisation and nationalisation of sport, and the extent to which sport has been used in social activism.
You understand and are able to describe by using examples the complex nature of sport, race, gender, culture identity and the sports world.
You understand and are able to describe by using examples the impacts of global sport movements.

Level 4
Sport as a Social and Global Phenomena:
You have a command of the importance of sport to communities and the benefits of sport participation for individuals.
You have a command of the globalisation and nationalisation of sport, and the extent to which sport has been used in social activism.
You have a command of the complex nature of sport, race, gender, culture identity and the sports world.
You have a command of the impacts of global sport movements.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Level 5
Sport as a Social and Global Phenomena:
You have a command of the importance of sport to communities and the benefits of sport participation for individuals as a whole.
You have a command of the globalisation and nationalisation of sport, and the extent to which sport has been used in social activism as a whole.
You have a command of the complex nature of sport, race, gender, culture identity and the sports world as a whole.
You have a command of the impacts of global sport movements as a whole.

Further information

method of implementation:
Project or /and Work-Life Based; working-life projects, RDI projects, case studies, practical projects, networking and collaboration with industry, active participation in work places, real-life problem solving, hands on learning, team work