Significance of “context” in the history of women’s sport

Towson University KNES 441 – The American Women in Sport Context Research Project One of the key arguments made in this course is the importance of situating the experiences of women athletes within their historical, social, political, and economic contexts. “Context”, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, refers to “the situation within which something exists or happens, and that can help explain it.” One cannot fully understand the experiences and significance of women athletes without understanding the contextual factors that shaped their experiences (including, but absolutely not limited to prevailing gender, racial, and other social norms). Using the “sociological imagination” and “intersectionality” as our guiding principles, we are studying the ways in which women athletes have been impacted by public issues, forces, and processes in U.S. society, as well as the ways in which women athletes have worked to impact those issues, forces, and processes through their own everyday choices and actions. Thus, to better understand the importance of women’s sport, we need to spend some time and examine the role of “contexts” in shaping women’s sport in U.S. history. For this research assignment, students are tasked with writing an 8-page (minimum) essay on the significance of “context” in the history of women’s sport. The goal of the essay is to examine the historical and cultural politics that shaped women’s sport in U.S. society, rather than a specific athlete or event. Each essay needs to devote at least a page of discussion to the following historical periods: the turn of the twentieth century (the period that witnessed the rise of modern athletics); post-World War II U.S. society (i.e., the 1950s and “re-feminization”, the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, Women’s Liberation, and Title IX); and contemporary U.S. society. Each of these eras will be discussed at length in the Jaime Schultz book and in class and will provide students with a basis on which to begin their own analysis. Each essay must address the following research questions: What was/is the significance of “context” in terms of its impact on women’s sporting experiences in U.S. society? To what extent have women athletes challenged and disrupted prevailing social norms through sport? What role did gender politics play—specifically in its intersection with race, class, sexual, national politics, etc.—in shaping the experiences of sporting women in the aforementioned periods of U.S. history? Though the lectures and assigned readings will provide students with a basis of information upon which to build their essay, students will also need to conduct some original research on the history and sociology of women and gender in U.S. society using online and library resources. It is highly recommended that students find sources (articles from academic journals, books/ebooks) that can help them speak to the contextual issues within each historical period. In other words, the sources do not and should not be solely about sports, but should speaks to broader issues within U.S. society during each historical period. 1 Towson University KNES 441 – The American Women in Sport Context Research Project There is one main component to this research assignment: 1. An 8-page (minimum) formal essay: The essay must include the following sections: title page; introduction; history of gender in sport and U.S. society; sport and gender politics in contemporary society; conclusion; reference list. The reference list MUST be in correct APA style and formatting. The title page and reference list do NOT count towards the 8-page minimum. The essay must be double-spaced, with Times New Roman 12-pt. font and 1-inch margins. Points will be deducted if these requirements are not satisfied in the student’s formal submission. In their essay, students must use, cite, and reference at least four scholarly, peer- reviewed sources. None of these sources can be materials from the course. A peer- reviewed, scholarly source is a journal article, a book, or book chapter. Students are expected to utilize on-campus library resources and databases for this portion of the assignment. In addition, students must cite at least three popular or online sources. The popular or online sources will typically address the student’s chosen topic, while the scholarly sources will typically address the context of the topic. Webpages can be used as a popular source, but typically will NOT count as a scholarly source (for specific questions about this see the instructor). Look for full-length articles from a reputable magazine or published outlet (for example, New York Times, The Atlantic, or Sports Illustrated). Avoid referencing Wikipedia and other encyclopedia or reference sites. Make sure toinclude a reference list both with the essay and on the final slide of the presentation (follow APA style and format). You can use quotes from your sources in your paper and presentation, but YOU NEED TO USE QUOTES SPARINGLY. Do not overindulge in the use of direct quotes, and do NOT use block quotes. Your “voice” should lead the paper and your analysis. Within the relevant sections of the essay, students must include and explain at least three specific concepts/ideas from the course lectures and readings. Content from the introductory lecture of the course does NOT count towards this requirement. The essay must use, cite, and reference at least three lectures from the course (the lectures can be cited and referenced as PowerPoint presentations).    2 Towson University KNES 441 – The American Women in Sport Context Research Project Project Deadlines: Reference List – Due 11:59pm, Friday, November 6th, 2020 On November 6th, each student will submit on Blackboard a reference list of their academic and popular/online sources. The reference list must be a Word document and must be in correct APA style and formatting. These sources MUST be directly relevant to the assignment prompt and MUST be directly applicable to the paper. Students will earn points based on the strength of their source lists. The Reference List is worth 4% of the student’s semester grade. Research Papers – Due 11:59pm, Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 Each student MUST submit their completed paper on Blackboard by 11:59pm, Thursday, December 3rd, 2020. Late submissions will NOT be accepted. The submission must be a Word document or pdf, and must satisfy the requirements explained in this guide. The Research Paper is worth 16% of the student’s semester grade. Specific information on the logistical requirements of the assignment: Essays MUST be double-spaced and consist of Times New Roman 12 point font, 1 inch margins All sources (including course material) MUST be cited and referenced in APA style (https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_g uide/general_format.html) Essays MUST be submitted as a .doc/.docx file (pdf files will also be accepted) Submit the paper electronically via Blackboard using the appropriate submission portal See the rubrics below for further details on how your formal paper and presentation will be evaluated, based on the following logistical and content requirements:    3 Towson University KNES 441 – The American Women in Sport Context Research Project CONTEXT PAPER GRADING RUBRIC: EVALUATION CRITERIA – CONTEXT PAPER PERCENTAGE WORTH Page length/Title Page/Style & Formatting/Citations and Refences (APA) *Failure to satisfy these requirements will result in a failing grade.* Introduction (Organization/Content) /10 History of Gender in U.S. society (Organization/Content) /25 Gender and Sport in Contemporary Society (Organization/Content) /25 Relation to Course Materials (Organization/Content) /20 Conclusion (Organization/Content) /10 Spelling/Grammar/Mechanics /10 Total   /100