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Duke University

Sports and Society

Sports play a giant role in contemporary society worldwide. But few of us pause to think about the larger questions of money, politics, race, sex, culture, and commercialization that surround sports everywhere. This course draws on the tools of anthropology, sociology, history, and other disciplines to give you new perspectives on the games we watch and play. It's the new and improved version of Professor Orin Starn's original "Sports and Society" for Coursera, which drew more than 40,000 students. We will focus on both popular sports like soccer (or “football,” as anyone outside America calls it), basketball, and baseball, and also lesser-known ones like mountain-climbing and fishing. You will never watch or think about sports in the same way again.

Status: Economics
Status: International Relations
Course13 hours

Featured reviews

RC

5.0Reviewed Jul 23, 2017

Orin Starn has a unique and interesting way of communicating his ideas and knowledge. The course has helped me to deepen my knowledge about the relation of sports and society.

CL

5.0Reviewed Oct 26, 2020

Informative, rich, all-embracing. I wish I could take it again! Fortunately, it left me with so many things to think about that it will stay with me for a long time.

MM

5.0Reviewed Nov 11, 2016

I loved this particular course. The topics are relevant. Each topic is supported by historical facts and examples and how is it relevant in the present time. It was a great learning experience!!!

MO

5.0Reviewed Sep 28, 2023

This course is RAD! I loved learning the entire time. The professor was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable! The concepts presented are both clear and fascinating.

VM

5.0Reviewed Jun 22, 2020

Loved every Bit of this course!Sports illustrated with so many different perspectives, this course is a must for anyone who want to strengthen their bond with sports..

MR

5.0Reviewed May 9, 2020

Videos were awesome and readings were still applicable even in 2020. Only feedback would be update some of the readings to more current and a section on E-Sports.

EG

5.0Reviewed Sep 27, 2019

I absolutely loved this course. This is my favorite course I've taken with Coursera by far. The instructor was phenomenal and relatable. I highly recommend this course.

RP

5.0Reviewed May 11, 2020

An excellent course! Learned a lot! Genuinely disappointed that it's over. Wish the course was longer. I hope there is a part 2 or something like that. Brilliant!

LS

5.0Reviewed Dec 9, 2018

Professor Starn gives insight into the sports world and explains complex topics using anthropological reasoning in a way that makes sense to the average person. Great class!

LA

5.0Reviewed Mar 20, 2018

I really got some new insights about sports and how the climate of sports has changed and some really good facts about sport.Thanks for the lovely lectures Mr. Orin!

MM

5.0Reviewed Nov 27, 2020

Great Course on Sports and Society, Excellent insights into the History and Culture of popular sports across the globe. Thank you Duke University and Prof. Orin Starn

BY

4.0Reviewed Mar 17, 2025

a very interesting course..... I hope it might be updated someday to discuss all the changes in sports that have occurred to date (I took this course in March 2025).

All reviews

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