HIST 240 - History of America through Sport

The course will provide a social history of America from the middle of the 19th century through the present day through the lens of sports. The technological advances in transportation and later communication allowed for the development of organized sports which quickly came to reflect the prejudices, aspirations, values and character of the nation. The goals of the course will be to examine major trends in the United States in relation to ethnic and gender relations, economics, technology, and government in order to understand not only the trends as they occurred but also how professional sports reflected and impacted these issues. (Offered fall semester, alternate years.) 3 credits