Introduction

INTRODUCTION

This web site contains the general instructions and lessons for T339 470B: Sports Aesthetics.

An analysis of the aesthetic in sport by viewing various works of art when sport serves as the subject of the artist and by observing sport when sport is the medium for creating aesthetic expression.

Study the inter-relationships between sport, aesthetics, and art. By viewing sport as the subject of the artist as well as looking at sport as a medium for aesthetic expression an attempt will be made to analyze the relationships between sport, aesthetics, and art. It is intended that the student will gain new ideas and insights about the sport aesthetic through interdisciplinary study and the synthesis of concepts.

Course Goals

To define the meaning of sport and identify the aesthetic in sport
To view sport as a medium for aesthetic expression (note: Form sports, in particular, will be considered in greater depth)
To examine various works of art including film in order to understand the aesthetic potential for sport
To propose changes in traditional sport in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal
To explore scholarly questions raised by aestheticians and sport theoreticians and seek answers to these questions that reflect upon the potential of sport as an art form
To provide the opportunity for students to analyze selected works of art with sport as the theme
To analyze the aesthetic appeal of a contemporary elite athlete

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

No text required. Readings are available on course site.

LESSON ASSIGNMENTS

The course consists of nine lessons. All lessons must be completed to receive credit. Each lesson consists of a reading assignment, the text of a lecture, a list of references and a submitted writing assignment.

Submission of Lessons

Each lesson is to be submitted using email.
Be sure to use the corresponding question number for each of your answers.
The LESSON NUMBER along with your NAME should be included in each lesson submitted.
Send each lesson separately and do not combine more than one lesson into a single email.
Send your answers in the body of an email NOT as an attachment.
Be certain to answer all questions in each lesson to avoid an INCOMPLETE lesson and point deductions. Incomplete lessons cannot be resubmitted.
Unless otherwise indicated all answers are to be written in complete sentences.
Emails received with no text (re: answers not included) are tagged as being "no lesson received" and given a "0" score or a 2-point deduction.

Completing the Course

IDL courses have been designed to allow interaction between us and feedback on your assignments. You will make the best progress if you set a regular schedule to work on your lessons and submit your assignments. In order to benefit from my comments, you should normally wait to submit a lesson until the previous one has been graded and returned to you.

In a classroom environment, this course takes ten weeks. You should consider taking at least the same amount of time to complete the work. If you work too slowly, you may lose some of the information you have gained; too quickly and you may get lost in the details. Make sure you take enough time to learn the material well.

EXAMINATIONS

This course does not have examinations.

GRADING CRITERIA

A maximum point total has been assigned to the lessons and assignments. The points earned by the student in relation to the maximum allowed are used to calculate a percentage. The percentage determines the letter grade for the course.

The point value for each of the requirements are as follows:

Lessons	=80 points
Elite athlete analysis (lesson #3)	=20 points
Total	=100 points

A percentage is calculated using the number of points earned in relation to the number of points possible. The percentage is used to determine the letter grade based upon the following scale:

92-100	=A	72-77	=C+
90-91	=A-	70-71	=C-
88-89	=B+	68-69	=D+
82-87	=B	62-67	=D
80-81	=B-	60-61	=D-
78-79	=C	below 60	=F

Each lesson is awarded points according to the following letter grades:

A	=10 points	C	=7.5 points
A-	=9 points	C-	=7 points
B+	=8.8 points	D+	=6.8 points
B	=8.5 points	D	=6.5 points
B-	=8 points	D-	=6 points
C+	=7.8 points	F	=0 points

NOTE: Lesson scores will be posted on 'Blackboard' in 'Gradebook'.

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty results in automatic failure in the course. You must submit your own work. There are NO warnings!

Communicating with the instructor

If you have questions or problems related to the content of this course, you may contact your instructor at cooke@ohio.edu. Be sure to put the lesson number in the subject line of the message.

Please remember that your instructor does not handle administrative questions, such as exam supervisors or procedures, extensions, withdrawals, etc. Such questions must be directed to the IDL office at: independent.study@ohio.edu