Module: Sport, Media & Society

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sport, Media & Society
Module Code	MCO1024 (ITS: CM2001A)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module explores the increasingly convergent relationship between sport and media and its impacts on individuals, communities, and society in general. The module considers a range of theoretical perspectives, beginning with the concept of ‘media sport’, and equips students to think critically about the reciprocal influence of sport and media, the power interests underpinning this relationship, and how media sport is a site of ideological and political contestation. Students taking the module will examine a variety of topics, including broadcasting, nationalism, protest and fan practices.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe some of the power interests and financial considerations underpinning the increasingly convergent relationship between sport and media
2. Explain how media sport plays a role in representing people and places in the wider world and is a site of ideological and political contestation
3. Critically analyse and appraise news media reporting around international sporting events
4. Design and conduct their own studies of media sport

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	25	Weekly class contact
Independent Study	40	General research and reading
Directed learning	40	Preparation of Case Study (including library time)
Online activity	20	Use of course-related material on Loop
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10989	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Neil O'Boyle	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Mediasport Event Case Study	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Lecture 1
Introduction to the Module

Lecture 2
Sport, Symbolism and Psychology

Lecture 3
Media Sport

Lecture 4
Broadcasting and the Political Economy of Sport

Lecture 5
The Sport Media Content Economy

Lecture 6
Sporting Mega Events

Lecture 7
Sport and Representation in Television, Film and Print Media

Lecture 8
Working in Media Sport

Lecture 9
The Geopolitics of Sport

Lecture 10
Sport, Show Business, and Celebrity

Lecture 11
Sport, Activism and Social Justice

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Oâ€™Boyle, N. and Free, M.: 2020, Sport, the Media and Ireland: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Cork University Press, Cork,
Rouse, P.: 2015, Sport and Ireland: A History., Oxford University Press., Oxford.,
Houlihan, B.: 2015, Sport and Society: A Student Introduction., Sage., London.,
Cronin, Duncan and Rouse.: 2014, The GAA: A Peopleâ€™s History., Collins Press Dublin., Dublin.,
Rouse, P.: 2018, The Hurlers: The First All-Ireland Championship and the Making of Modern Ireland., Penguin Ireland., Dublin.,
Jarvie, G.: 2012, Sport, Culture and Society., Routledge., London.,
Free, Hughson and Inglis.: 2005, The Uses of Sport: A Critical Study., Routledge., London.,
Bairner, A.: 2001, Sport, Nationalism and Globalisation: European and North American Perspectives, State University of New York Press Albany., New York.,
Cronin, M. 1: 1999, Sport and Nationalism in Ireland: Gaelic Games, Soccer and Irish Identity since 1884., Four Courts Press., Dublin.,
Dunning, E.: 1999, Sport Matters: Sociological Studies of Sport, Violence and Civilization., Routledge., London.,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None