COM203: Introduction to Sports Media & Communication

Summer I 2025

START HERE: Introduction padlet (add yours!) | Link to Brightspace page 

The readings and assignments for each module is listed here on this site. More details, discussion boards, assignments and submission links are available only on Brightspace. (Do not email assignments!) 

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Mod 1: WHAT IS SPORTS MEDIA & COMM?
May 19-25
Readings

• "Study of Sport Communication: Revolutionary Change, Abundant Opportunities (Chap. 1)" -- from "Strategic Sport Communication" by Pedersen et al. 
• "Careers in Sport Communication (Chap. 2) " -- from "Strategic Sport Communication" ​by Pedersen et al.
• PODCAST:  The Work-in-Sports Podcast with Brian Clapp -- Your 4-Year Plan From College to the Sports Industry ​

Discussion questions and assignments on Brightspace

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Mod 2: HISTORY & GROWTH OF SPORTS MEDIA
​May 26-June 1
Readings

• "History and Growth of Sport Communication (Chap. 3)" -- from "Strategic Sport Communication" ​by Pedersen et al.
• "Sports Media: A Modern Institution" -- Robert V. Bellamy
• "How Digital Media Has Changed Sports Journalism" -- St. Bonaventure
• VIDEO: Why are sports rights deals getting so expensive? -- Yahoo! Finance​

Discussion questions and assignments on Brightspace

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Mod 3: GENDER, RACE & CULTURE IS MORE THAN GAMES
​June 2-8
Readings

• "Why Representation in Sports Matter" -- Susan M. Shaw, Forbes (you get four free articles in front of the paywall)
• VIDEO: Sports can start meaningful conversations -- Dr. Andy Billings, TEDxBirmingham
• "Gender in Sport" -- from "Communication and Sport: Surveying the Field" by Billings et al.
• "Race and Ethnicity in Sport" -- from "Communication and Sport: Surveying the Field" by Billings et al.

​                    ^ Optional: "How the 'natural talent' myth is used as a 
                                                weapon against black athletes" -- Andrew
                                                Lawrence, The Guardian

• "Politics and Nationalism in Sport" -- from "Communication and Sport: Surveying the Field" by Billings et al.

                    ^ Optional: "The NFL, the military, and the highjacking of 
​                                               Pat Tillman's story" -- Ryan Devereaux, The
​                                                Intercept

Discussion questions and assignments on Brightspace

Mod 4: DID MEDIA HOLD BACK WOMEN'S SPORTS?​
​June 9-15
Readings

• PODCAST: Good Game with Sarah Spain with Jane McManus -- Jane starts at the 3:10 mark (April 2025)
• "Broadcasting Gatekeepers (Chap. 5)"  -- from "The Fast Track" by Jane McManus
• Broadcasting: The Road Forward (Chap. 6) -- from "The Fast Track" by Jane McManus

Discussion questions and assignments on Brightspace

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Mod 5: WHAT IS NEXT IN SPORTS MEDIA & COMMUNICATION?
June 16-21
Readings

• ​2025 global sports industry outlook -- Deloitte
• How high can they go? What will continue valuation growth in women's sports -- Rachel Axon, Sports Business Journal​
• Caitlin Clark, Christine Brennan and how racial stereotypes persist in the media’s WNBA coverage -- Molly Yanity, The Conversation
• Double Dribble: The Stereotypical Narrative of Magic & Bird -- Patrick Ferrucci & Earnest Perry (You can access this through the URI libary site) 
• PODCAST: "They Can Hate Me" with Christine Brennan on "Good Game with Sarah Spain"

Assignments on Brightspace

Discussion questions and assignments on Brightspace