The Olympic Games – Sport in the UK Module ... - Study Abroad

The Olympic Games – Sport in the UK
Module Outline
Leeds International Summer School 2013
Module description
Great Britain has a long tradition of sport and continues to be one of the World’s foremost
nations – finishing 4th in the 2008 Olympic medal table and hosting the Olympic &
Paralympic Games in 2012. You will be taken through the origins of the ancient Olympics
through to the modern day and gain knowledge and understanding of Olympic sports
through participation, observation and skills acquisition.
What are some of the key characteristics that make an elite sportsman? We will focus on
speed, accuracy and distance. Those concepts will be introduced through practical sessions
in typically British sports of Fencing and Archery.
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminar discussions, debates and visits.
Course assessment
Poster & Presentation (% TBC), Assessed Debate (% TBC)
Assessment 1: Thursday 18 July
Assessment 2: Thursday 18 July
Module Leader: Will Patterson

WEEK 1
Monday 8 July
9:30am - Introduction to the module and the structures for sport in the UK from grass roots to
elite. Patrick Craig & tbc
11:00am – The legacy of London 2012. What London and the UK are getting from the
Games (TBC).
3:30-5:00pm – Fencing practical session 1. Tom Exeter
Tuesday 9 July
9:30am – Coaching in the UK and Coaching for Elite Athletes. Gareth Tyler
11:30am – Making and improving elite athletes and limits to human performance. Including
practical training and coaching. Mike Ferrandinho & Danny Mills.
Wednesday 10 July
11:00am - Introduction to Poster Presentation & Debates topics – including selection of
groups & topics (TBC).
3:30-5:00pm – Fencing practical session 2. Tom Exeter
Thursday 11th July
11.00am – Claire Cashmore. 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Swimmer (TBC).
PM – Fencing practical session 3. Tom Exeter
7pm – Live Interactive Debate - Drugs in Sport, public debate with presenters Dr Dave Lewis
– Senior Lecturer in Scientific Ethics, Grace Robinson – Philosophy Practitioner
Friday 12th July: Field Trip to Manchester Sports Venue
WEEK 2
Monday 15 July
9:30am Ethics in Sport – Dr Dave Lewis
11:30am Gene Doping – Dr Dave Lewis
Tuesday 16 July
2:00-4:00pm Technology in Sport – Dr Dani Strauss
*Debate themes & roles to be confirmed after this session.
Archery session – 6-8pm
Wednesday 17th July
AM - Directed Study to prepare poster and debate presentations.

Archery session – 5:30-7:30m
Thursday 18 July
10:00 – 12:00 – tbc /Dr Dani Strauss
The assessed debate, to be based on a subject/topic set during the week.
Each student is required to make a presentation in the mini-debate, either for or against the
proposal from the perspective of a chosen interest group.
14:00-15:30 - The poster presentation.
Group presentations of work on poster presentation. Will Patterson/tbc.
Friday 19 July: Trip to Oxford or London (all modules) (TBC)
Pre-Arrival research
- Watch at least one of the Jim Parry lectures listed on the VLE.
- Research from the Leeds Olympic website www.leeds.ac.uk/olympics.
- Computer based research on the legacy of 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Research some iconic Olympic moments; including Black Power Salute (Mexico
1968), the boycott’s of 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games, Major drug cases (Ben
Johnson, Marion Jones, Greek sprinters in 2004); The physical athletes/major world
records or winning performances (Bob Beaman, Mark Spitz, Steve Redgrave, Usain
Bolt, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Nadia Comaneci, Birgit Fischer Schmidt etc).
Potential topics for the Poster Presentation Assessment
- Legacies from recent Olympic Games including London 2012.
- The impact of high-profile failed drugs tests on a sport.
- Does the modern Olympics still maintain Pierre De Coubertain’s principles.
- Case-studies of some major Olympic Icons and their physical attributes that assisted
their success.
- Prepare a case study to justify the inclusion of a new sport in the Olympics.
- What are the social and political benefits of hosting major sporting events.
- Compare one of the sports venues you visited on the field trip and compare to similar
venues in your home country.