Focusing on sociopolitical issues in a secondary sports literature class: opportunities and experiences
English Teaching: Practice & Critique
ISSN: 1175-8708
Article publication date: 7 June 2021
Issue publication date: 2 September 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Following recent scholarship promoting the study of sports-related texts as a vehicle for examining sociopolitical issues, this study aims to identify methods and materials used to facilitate the extended exploration of sociopolitical issues in a secondary sports literature class and to establish how students describe their experiences taking up such activities.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study stems from a greater investigation into the teaching of secondary sports literature classes. Data collection involved conducting interviews, observing instruction and gathering artifacts. Driven by guiding research questions, data analysis was conducted in an iterative and recursive manner and multiple validation strategies were used to enhance trustworthiness.
Findings
The methods and materials used to facilitate the extended exploration of sociopolitical issues included a whole-class reading of Season of Life (Marx, 2003) and small-group research into “controversial topics” in sports culture. Student-participants described engaging with those methods and materials as relevant to their personal interests and experiences and revelatory in terms of learning about sociopolitical issues in sports and society.
Originality/value
Scholarship promoting the potential for sports-related content to support literacy instruction has grown in recent years. This study covers new ground, for it documents classroom research to build understandings about the methods and materials used to facilitate the extended exploration of sociopolitical issues in a secondary sports literature class and the ways students describe their experiences engaging in such activities.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research was supported in part by a grant from the Office of Academic Affairs at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
Citation
Rodesiler, L. (2021), "Focusing on sociopolitical issues in a secondary sports literature class: opportunities and experiences", English Teaching: Practice & Critique, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 341-353. https://doi.org/10.1108/ETPC-06-2020-0058
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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