Olympic Games and Sports Mega Events

DESCRIPTION:
Planning, development, and organizational aspects of sports mega events; workforce issues, venues, marketing, promotion, leadership, fundraising, ethical challenges, as well as the sociological, economic, and political significance of bids for, and the hosting of, Sports Mega Events and the Olympic Games; historical development of the Olympic Games and their evolution to modern Olympics.

RATIONALE: 
Sports Mega Events, including the football World Cup and the Olympic Games, provide a public interest agenda that addresses issues across a wide spectrum of concerns and opportunities. By taking this module students develop thorough knowledge on planning, developing and managing Sports Mega Events, and a critical understanding of the challenges that arise from hosting such events. Students are also exposed to historical and socio-cultural perspectives regarding the Olympic Games and sports mega events.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this module, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of the managerial and organizational aspects of Sports Mega Events, including the Olympic Games, as well as the political and ethical ramifications arising from these.
2. Analyze the theory pertaining to contemporary issues in the organization of Sports Mega Events and the Olympic Games and connect critical debates and insights with the experiences from ‘real life’ cases of Sports Mega Events.
3. Employ social, economic and political theory to explain the development and distinctive character of the Olympic Games and Sports Mega Events throughout society.
4. Analyze the social and cultural meanings attached to Sports Mega Events and the Olympic Games, and their impact on sports participation and regulation.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Classes consist of lectures, discussions, collaborative in-class small projects and specialized video presentations. Throughout the lectures students develop knowledge and understanding related to the subject content. Discussions and collaborative in-class small projects reinforce students’ cognitive and key transferable skills. Specialized video presentations familiarize students with professional skills and further develop their cognitive skills.
- Major Written Project: A literature review of a contemporary issue of Sports Mega Events will be conducted, with extensive use of library resources.
- Office Hours: Students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours 
2 of their instructor in order to consult and discuss issues related to the course's content.
- Use of blackboard site, where instructors post lecture notes, assignments instructions, timely announcements, as well as additional resources.