Occasionally, controversies arise that remind us of the link between sport and politics. It was once common for leading figures in the sporting world to declare that sport was, effectively, a politics-free zone. Sport was cast as the perpetual innocent party, liable to be corrupted by any connection with politics. However, it has become increasingly clear that these assertions are fundamentally wrong and there are numerous examples where sport and politics mix only too well. This free course, The football World Cup: where sport and politics collide, examines how sport and politics exist, support and challenge one another through the contextual backdrop of the football World Cup. Interested in taking your learning further? You might find it helpful to explore the Open University's Sport and fitness courses and qualifications.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction and guidance
- Introduction and guidance
- Acknowledgements
- Session1Session 1: An introduction to sport, politics and political themes
- Introduction
- 1 What makes sport political?
- 2 When sport becomes political
- 3 Sport and international relations
- 4 Politics in sport: a football perspective
- 5 Summary of Session 1
- References
- Acknowledgements
- Session2Session 2: International politics and FIFA
- Introduction
- 1 Early developments in international football politics
- 2 How has FIFA responded to international politics?
- 3 What ‘sportwashing’ claims exist in football?
- 4 World Cup power dimensions: African resistance
- 5 People power: the World Cup and activism
- 6 Summary of Session 2
- References
- Acknowledgements
- Session3Session 3: The World Cup and national identity
- Introduction
- 1 Citizenship, nationhood and nationality: what’s the difference?
- 2 Citizenship: not as straightforward as it seems?
- 2.1 Migrants and diaspora
- 2.2 Nationhood: playing for a new flag
- 3 Nationality: a claimed win for diverse France?
- 4 Qatar: an opportunity for identity development?
- 5 Summary of Session 3
- References
- Acknowledgements
- Session4Session 4: Women and the World Cup
- Introduction
- 1 A brief outline of women’s football origins
- 2 Sepp Blatter: sexist leader or godfather of the women’s game?
- 3 Female fandom at the World Cup
- 4 What might make women’s football potentially more political than men’s?
- 5 Women’s World Cup inequalities: discrimination or just commercial reality?
- 6 Summary of Session 4
- References
- Acknowledgements
- Session5Session 5: Notable politically infused World Cup matches
- Introduction
- 1 How are rivalries influenced by political themes?
- 2 ‘Political’ World Cup matches: what’s your view?
- 3 England vs Argentina: the good, the bad and the ugly
- 4 USA vs Iran: grandiose claims of the most politicised World Cup match?
- 5 USA vs China PR: an iconic image emerges
- 6 Summary of Session 5
- 7 Bringing things together
- Where next?
- References
- Acknowledgements
