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This course provides a socio-cultural and historical overview of the contributions of African Americans (men and women) to sport in America. Focus is on the macro (patterns of behavior related to large-scale social structures and processes) and micro (behaviors we observe in society, often readily observable in the context of sport and exercise) level of sport analysis.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze and understand the experience of African Americans in sports including the pre-integration era, the Civil Rights era, and Black Lives Matter;
• Identify owners, coaches, players, and media personalities who have worked to either maintain white supremacy in sports or support equity and progress;
• Recognize the seminal figures in supporting inclusion in sports and how they helped lead progress through participation and other channels, like the media;
• Critical engagement and analysis of local, state, national, and international sports institutions, including their roots, and how their operation impacts the experience of African American athletes and sports figures;
• Understand the influence of politics and economics on African American athletes.
   

In this course, you will

   Examine the top African American sporting figures from the past and now including Jackie Robinson, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Lamar Jackson, Serena Williams and LeBron James to better understand their experiences and their influence;

   Hear and see the experiences of these athletes in their own words with materials presented through different media;

   Explore current events and issues in sports and better understand how much inclusion has progressed and what obstacles still exist in relation to race.

Meet Your Instructor

Jared Bahir Browsh

  Jared.Browsh@Colorado.EDU

Before earning their PhD, Dr. Browsh was a sports journalist covering high school and college sports before working in audio production and management, overseeing the student radio station at the University of Colorado for several years. Dr. Browsh’s research focuses on issues connected to political economics of the media, particularly as it pertains to the media system in the United States throughout history. This includes issues of representation connected to ownership and policy in popular culture, particularly in sports, television and animated content. Their current focus is representations of race, gender, sexuality, and disability on television and in sports coverage. Their first book, "Hanna-Barbera: A History" was released last year. Outside of teaching they enjoy watching sports with their dog Barkley, going to the beach, and running.