This text is designed to help the reader develop an understanding of the socio-cultural foundations of developmental physical activity as they relate to the developing profession of physical education and educational sport. These foundations all lead in the direction of developing a better understanding of life and living. Such understanding should be of the past as well as the present. Additionally, it should continue on as we peer into an unknown future.
Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity explores the intersections between modern physical activity and society. The text surpasses the scope of sociological texts that focus solely on sports, covering a broad range of physical activities such as fitness, dance, weightlifting, and others. The authors emphasize the promotion of healthy individuals and a healthy body in the many movement settings where the body is active. Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity explores contemporary topics such as reducing disparities in education and income, increasing socioeconomic diversity in communities, the medicalization of fitness, the rise of cosmetic fitness, the promotion of physical activity as a requirement for health, and the globalization of the fitness industry. The text includes the following features to enhance student engagement: Chapter objectives help students achieve their learning goals Key points and terms to highlight important information throughout the text Active Bodies sidebars that offer context for concepts presented in the chapter and provide examples and applications Discussion questions that provide opportunities to reflect on chapter topics Part I of Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity examines political, educational, media, and economic institutions that influence the relationship between society and physical activity. Part II explores how an individual’s race, gender, social class, and ability are interpreted through a social lens. Part III of the text discusses the process of developing healthy populations as well as promoting public health and body positivity. Sociocultural Issues in Sport and Physical Activity offers a cross-cultural perspective of society, health, and the body in motion. Readers will finish the text with a greater understanding of social theory applications in physical culture.
More than any other field in education, the social and cultural foundations of education reflect many of the conflicts, tensions, and forces in American society. This is hardly surprising, since the area focuses on issues such as race, gender, socioeconomic class, the impact of technology on learning, what it means to be educated, and the role of teaching and learning in a societal context. The Encyclopedia of the Social and Cultural Foundations of Education provides a comprehensive introduction to the social and cultural foundations of education. With more than 400 entries, the three volumes of this indispensable resource offer a thorough and interdisciplinary view of the field for all those interested in issues involving schools and society. Key Features · Provides an interdisciplinary perspective from areas such as comparative education, educational anthropology, educational sociology, the history of education, and the philosophy of education · Presents essays on major movements in the field, including the Free School and Visual Instruction movements · Includes more than 130 biographical entries on important men and women in education · Offers interpretations of legal material including Brown v. Board of Education(1954) and the GI Bill of Rights · Explores theoretical debates fundamental to the field such as religion in the public school curriculum, rights of students and teachers, surveillance in schools, tracking and detracking, and many more · Contains a visual history of American education with nearly 350 images and an accompanying narrative Key Themes · Arts, Media, and Technology · Curriculum · Economic Issues · Equality and Social Stratification · Evaluation, Testing, and Research Methods · History of Education · Law and Public Policy · Literacy · Multiculturalism and Special Populations · Organizations, Schools, and Institutions · Religion and Social Values · School Governance · Sexuality and Gender · Teachers · Theories, Models, and Philosophical Perspectives · A Visual History of American Education
The purpose of this book is to help the prospective director or manager of physical activity education and educational sport develop an initial understanding of selected aspects of the organizational environment that he or she will face. Such self-education about both the external and internal aspects of this environment should occur because a managerial revolution occurred in the 20th century, the limits of which we in education today still envision dimly. True understanding of "organizational culture" in the related area of the fitness industry in Canada, for example, is in its earliest stages. In the first comprehensive study of its type by Macintosh, he found that organizational culture did significantly impact "the attitude and behaviour of client members and staff involved in fitness operations" (2007, p. iv). Further, the management of change is an ever-present reality, a social setting being transformed by the steadily increasing importance of ecology as a basic social force. Assessing society's rate of change that has brought this onrushing development may be literally impossible. However, the onset of so-called postindustrial society has alerted us to the importance of one fact: we must increasingly search for synthesis and consensus because of conflicting demands and trends in our lives. "second wave civilization placed an extremely heavy emphasis on our ability to dismantle problems into their components; it rewarded us less often for the ability to put the pieces back together again" (Toffler, 1981, pp. 129-30). What we need now in all aspects of (Third Wave) life is to put this all in greatly improved an apparent context (Toffler & Toffler, 1884). Today we must do all in our power to "eschew obfuscation" (i.e., to be clear, concise, and precise in what we say and do). We have so much to deal with that is so obsolescent, and which should be viewed simply as excess "cultural baggage." This is nowhere more true than in many of the managerial myths that surface time and again in the immediate, on-the-job environment. (An example of this is the dismal myth that the person who assumes the managerial mantle knows best about everything; see Hunt, 1979, p. 19). Management of physical activity education and educational sport is the professional accompaniment emanating from the ongoing importance of wholesome developmental physical activity in people's lives. We urgently need the knowledge from onrushing behavioral theory that will help us to understand the managerial structure in an ever more-insightful manner. Question: Is it too much to hope that search committees recommend men and women for managerial posts who are committed to the employment of sound management theory in accord with ethical practice? Further, it is unreasonable to expect that when mistakes are made in manager selection that people will be prepared to rectify an unproductive situation at the first possible legal and ethical moment? With a truly scientific, but hopefully still sufficiently humanistic approach to management, coupled with an increasing awareness of the social influence of ecology, the managerial team and key associated personnel should seek to develop, employ, and maintain power and influence that lead to the achievement of planned goals. Many people within the organization will be involved in one way or another in assisting with the implementation of the fundamental processes of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling the operation of the organization. Throughout this series of experiences, it is imperative that good human relations be employed by all through the use of effective and efficient communication techniques. The successful implementation of these various processes is extremely complex, of course. This is why a topflight managerial team is becoming increasingly necessary to move a complex organization ahead. We must keep in mind that the external environment relates typically to the still broader physical and social environment of the public, semipublic, or private agency that the manger is administering within the society. However, there are now ever-increasing indications that this external environment has now become worldwide in scope. This aspect of the environment therefore needs its own theoretical subdivisions. Also, a manager should plan to assist the larger community (i.e., the external environment) by personally assuming some direct responsibility for society's welfare over and above his or her own immediate professional task. Now that we are all quite aware of the Toffler's concepts (1970; 1981, 1994) of "future shock" and "third wave world" we must be ready for our own collision with the future. The world will never be the same again but, then, it probably never was
The American Crisis in Physical Activity Education was written because the author is terribly upset about what is happening to physical activity education and so-called educational sport within the education system. He lives in North America as a dual citizen, and he feels sad that we appear to be a large part of the world's problem! He thought that the world would be a better place for all people by the year 2000. Because now it definitely doesn't seem to be heading in that direction, he is forced to conclude: (1) that in many ways we are confused about what our values are at the present, (2) that we need to reconsider them and then re-state exactly what we believe they are in light of the changing times, and (3) finally that we will then need to assess more carefully, on a regular basis, whether we are living up to those values we have chosen and so often glibly espouse. Physical activity education, including what is called educational sport, is a field that in the 21st century is facing one more crossroad in its torturous historical development.
This text is designed to provide the sport and physical activity professional with an introduction to ethical decision-making. It can apply readily to the reader's personal, professional and environmental (or societal) lif--if such a division can be established in connection with ethics and morality in one's life pattern. (In the final analysis, of course, everything is "personal.") Any new book being recommended for use by a great many people needs solid justification. In Applied Ethics Sport and Physical Activity Professionals, an excellent case can be made for use of this basic, multi-phased (1-2-3-4) approach to ethical decision-making offered here. Faced with the prevailing "ethical chaos" of the early 21st century--and keeping firmly in mind the vital need to preserve our individual freedom and civil liberties, it starts in a relatively simple fashion in Phase One. Actually the three steps offered here might actually "do it" for the reader (and for the author too!) in most situations! Then it moves progressively and sequentially through Phases Two, Three, and Four that are assuredly desirable, but optional. Although it says "optional," it is true that using one or more of them could serve to confirm or negate the reader's Phase-One decision. Interestingly, and importantly nevertheless, all four phases of this approach to ethical decision-making can be carried out successfully by a reasonably intelligent person. (Phase Four, a case method technique, can be pursued best in a group discussion of the issue at hand by those concerned.) It is argued here basically, for several reasons, that the young person in society today is initially missing out completely on a sound "experiential" introduction to ethics and morality. This is true whether reference is mad to that which typically takes place in the home, the school system, or the church--actually an experience that doesn't take place adequately!. In fact, the truth is that typically no systematic instruction in this most important subject is offered at any time. (And the author refuses to accept the often-heard "osmosis stance"--i.e., that such knowledge is "better caught than taught!".) In Part I, in an effort to improve the prevailing situation, the reader learns initially how this all came about, how and why such a terrible gap exists. Where previously, for many at least, a relatively strong, orthodox, religious indoctrination prevailed--and was of some help--the situation has steadily deteriorated in our present multi-ethnic, secular culture to a point where "confusion reigns" as to ethical conduct (see Chapters 1). This topic will be elaborated still further through a brief narrative explaining how such a confusing miasma came into existence on the topic of ethical values and problems in our society today (Chapter 2). Next the "good" and the "bad" will be explained briefly in historical perspective (in Chapter 3). Next, because this subject can become confusing unless the terms used are understood and one's reasoning is sound, elementary reasoning (i.e., informal logic or "critical thinking" was planned for Chapter 4--but it is now in the Appendix (for ease of reference). So Chapter 4 offers now instead a quick look at six of the major ethical routes or approaches extant in today's confusing Western-world scenario. Finally, in Part I, it is explained how a person's ethical outlook should be an implicit/explicit experiential approach that necessarily moves daily from personal to professional ethics (Chapter 5). In Part II, one basic philosophic approach to applied ethics--a three-step one--is offered as Phase One of a total four-phase, experiential plan that may be applied to a specific problem-solving ethical situation (Chapter 6). This plan of attack moves sequentially from the time-proven thought of three great philosophers of the past (i.e., proceeds from Kant to Mill to Aristotle). Then, a second, legal or jurisprudential approach (Phase Two) is introduced as a (possible) follow-up to Phase One using a four-step technique). This can be employed by those who wish to consolidate and support their embryonic decision-making process of Phase One somewhat more with a (jurisprudential) law argument (Chapter 7). Next, in Phase Three, the reader is presented with the possibility of strengthening and supplementing (i.e., verifying) his or her (Phase One) decision by carefully superimposing or blending the results of the three-step, philosophic approach onto the (jurisprudential) law argument developed in Phase Two (Chapter 8). Finally, in Phase Four, if the reader wishes to carry this analytic process one step further, a more detailed case method approach to ethical decision-making has been added (Chapter 9). Here one sample case will demonstrate the possible progression through the four phases resulting in ethical decision-making of a personal nature. At this point, moving into Part III of the book, after a brief explanatory discussion, Chapters 10, 11, and 12 offer a variety of ethical problems for consideration and "laboratory" practice. It was decided to divide these ethical problems into three reasonably discrete categories: (1) personal, (2) professional, and (3) environmental. (Of course, we appreciate that each of these categories is "personal" in nature, in that it would be an individual who would be making ethical decisions related to the case problems offered under each category). However, every effort is made through initial consideration of the nature of the ethical problem at hand to have a specific problem be (1) "largely personal" (e.g., one's private sex life); (2) "largely professional practices" (e.g., one's professional conduct on the job); or (c) "largely environmental problems" (e.g., one's involvement in combatting environmental degradation). Of course, there is bound to be some overlap among these categories. Exercises will be provided with each category (e.g., professional). The case situation or problem will be explained briefly but succinctly. Then, after a brief analysis, the reader is asked to follow the same progression through the one or (possibly) more of the four phases resulting in the making of a defensible ethical decision. The author has observed that many books of this nature propose a number of different philosophical stances, often in a semi-neutral fashion, recommending that the reader ultimately make his or her own personal decision about which to follow. In this book it was planned initially to follow this "striving-to-stay-neutral" approach. But then the author decided, also, that first he would provide an "easy-entry" approach as well, one that can be used before a person makes a final decision (i.e., as more experience and maturation are obtained during life). In addition, in Part IV, the author felt also that he had a responsibility to make his own position on ethical decision-making known at some point (see Chapter 13). He did this because he felt--especially since the turbulent 1960s when most students demanded it as a right--that (a) he owed that to you, and (b) he felt that so-called "scientific ethics" possibly offers the best hope for the entire world in the 21st century (or as soon as possible thereafter). A final, brief concluding discussion (Chapter 14) will urge the reader to follow through and to take it from this point in your own personal, professional, and public life. The need for critical evaluation will be stressed as he/she strives to form an evolving, possibly fluid, basis for sound ethical decision-making in what are bound to be difficult years ahead in the 21st century. If time is of the essence in the resolution of a pressing ethical problem of either a person or professional nature, you may well decide that Phases No. 2, 3, and 4--which can be considered as optional--are not absolutely necessary for y
Includes articles on social change and sports development including the problem of doping and the responsibility of science, talent identification and promotion, the Olympic uideal and reality, the athletes' village, the development of world athletics, and what makes athletics valuable.
Tertiary text introducing the socio-cultural dimensions of exercise, physical education, physical recreation and sport. Covers psychological, pedagogical, philosophical, sociological and historical aspects. Includes Australian and NZ examples, ideas for assessment tasks, a bibliography and an index. May be used with the companion volume, 'The Biophysical Foundations of Human Movement'. Also available in hardback. The authors teach in the department of human movement studies at the University of Qld.
Sustainable development star ts with safe, healthy, well-educated children. Par ticipation in qualit y physical education (QPE), as par t of a rounded syllabus, enhances young peoples' civic engagement, decreases violence and negative pat terns of behaviour, and improves health awareness. Despite evidence highlighting the impor tance of QPE to child development, the world is witnessing a global decline in its delivery and a parallel rise in deaths associated with physical inactivit y.
Drawing on John Dewey and the later Ludwig Wittgenstein, this book employs philosophy as a conceptual resource to develop new methodological and analytical tools for conducting in situ empirical investigations. Chapter one explores the philosophies of Wittgenstein and Dewey. Chapter two exposits Deweyan ideas of embodiment, the primacy of the aesthetic encounter, and aesthetically expressive meaning underdeveloped in Wittgenstein. Chapter three introduces the method of practical epistemological analysis (PEA) and a model of situated epistemic relations (SER) to investigate the learning of body techniques in dinghy sailing. The concluding chapter introduces a model of situated artistic relations (SAR) to investigate the learning of artistic techniques of self-expression in the Swedish sloyd classroom.
