Communication in Sport – SMGT 310

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This course is a macro analysis of the field from personal, organizational, and external perspectives. Special attention is given to historical and theoretical features of the field, personal and organizational processes, sport media, services and support systems, and sociological and legal aspects of sport.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Communication is ubiquitous and sport managers must demonstrate competent communication skills. Moreover, managers must understand the theoretical foundations for effective and adaptive communication that underpin the successful functions of planning, organizing, and administrating sport organizations. However, competent communication also involves a critical assessment of the public sphere as a discursive space where beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors are mediated by all forms and levels of communication. By viewing all prospective sport managers as sport communicators, this course seeks to develop both cognitive understanding and pragmatic skills.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations (MLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 400–500 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and include at least 1 outside resource. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 200 words. (CLOs: C, D, E)

Jung Typology Assessment Assignment

The student must complete the Jung Typology Assessment using the link provided in Canvas. Once the assessment has been completed, the student will research his/her personality type and write an assessment which should include general information about his/her personality, how his/her personality will impact interactions with coworkers, supervisors, and subordinates, and how to best utilize his/her personality in the sport industry. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

College GameDay Segment Assignment

The student must develop a segment for the television program College GameDay. The segment may cover any sport, but must follow the format of segments appearing on the show. Human-interest stories must be given high consideration for use. The student will choose an appropriate segment topic and script the segment. (CLOs: C, D, E)

Organizational Crisis Response Analysis Assignment

The student will select 3 unique crisis situations involving sport organizations and/or athletes associated with a sport organization. The crisis situations must have occurred at least 12 months prior to the start of the term (i.e. no crisis situation can be utilized that has occurred within the last calendar year). After selecting 3 crisis situations, the student must provide a thorough background/explanation of the situation, identify key PR elements, outline the organization’s response, assess the appropriateness and effective of the response postures taken, and make recommendations on improved response techniques for similar situations in the future. The analysis must be at least 6 pages and follow current APA format. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E)

Press Conference Assignment

The student must arrange a date and time during Module 6: Week 6 of the course to conduct a Press Conference Simulation with the instructor. A signup sheet with available time slots will be provided at the beginning of the term. Sign-ups will occur on a first come, first serve basis. The student will be given a crisis scenario within 48 hours of his/her presentation time. The student must then construct a Press Release which will be submitted in Canvas no later than 12 hours prior to his/her Press Conference. The student will then conduct a Press Conference via WebEx with the instructor. The instructor and any students who would like to join will act as the media and ask journalistic questions. (CLOs: C, D, E).

Quizzes (2)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week(s). Each quiz will contain multiple-choice, true/false, and essay questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLOs: A, B, C, D, E).