The Sporting Image: A personal journey utilising history to develop academic inquiry and creativity

Abstract

In 1997, an optional third year undergraduate module, The Sporting Image, was developed for sports studies students in which they scrutinized the portrayal of sport in popular and high culture; including literature, film, TV, art and music. Fifteen years later, this module, now compulsory for Sports Journalism students, continues to examine the portrayal of sport and ways in which it has become an integral part of popular culture and resonates with values and standards specific in time and place. This paper describes the evolution of the module and its successes and failures in obliging both the lecturers and students to move outside of their comfort zones and engage with creative writing, poetry, music and the visual arts.