History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity

R. Scott Kretchmar, Mark Dyreson, Matt Llewellyn, John Gleaves

• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Year: 2023
• eBook ISBN:
  9781718212954
• Edition: 2
• Subtopic: Social Philosophy

History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity, Second Edition, seamlessly blends the historical and philosophical dimensions of the study of human movement. The text follows a chronology of human movement from our origins as hunter-gatherers to the present, offering philosophical and ethical analyses alongside explorations of cultural shifts that have emerged from different ethnic, racial, gender, and national traditions.

The second edition of History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity is ideal for instructors who teach history and philosophy in a single course. Each chapter provides a historical scaffolding that leads into philosophical discussions about the issues raised. The text eschews dense blocks of text in favor of accessible writing and an interactive student experience.

Updates to the latest edition include expanded coverage of diversity, equity, and inclusion topics; a deeper exploration of epistemology; a discussion of alternate forms of physical activity; and new material about the ethics of research. Contemporary topics of discussion such as the Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) movement, athlete biodata collection, and transgender and nonbinary athletes in sport are thoroughly explored.

Discussion questions and study questions at the end of each chapter challenge students to reflect on the course material and share their ideas. Historical profile sidebars throughout the chapters allow students to gain greater insight into historical figures and events. Throughout the text, students are prompted to access related online activities in HKPropel. These short exercises connect philosophical inquiry to historical events and modern-day issues and serve as important tools for improving students' reasoning skills. Instructors are supported with a comprehensive instructor guide that includes sample responses to the downloadable student exercises, section references for the downloadable study questions, and sample discussion and assignment prompts related to the discussion questions. The instructor guide also includes ideas and instructions for semester-long student projects.

History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Activity, Second Edition, presents a thorough integration of philosophy and history, capitalizing on the strengths of both disciplines.

Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook version but may be purchased separately.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Preface
• Introduction. History, Philosophy, and Kinesiology
• Chapter 1. Bodies, Brains, and Cultures: Human Origins and the Riddles of Why People Run
• Chapter 2. The Transition From Super-Endurance Predators to Farmers: The Birth of “Civilizations”
• Chapter 3. Ancient Greece and the Shape of Modern Sport and Physical Education: The Power of the Past in the Present and Future
• Chapter 4. Continuity and Change in Physical Cultures: From the Maturation and Decline of Classical Civilizations to the Middle Ages
• Chapter 5. The Expansion of the West and the Birth of the Modern World: Global Transformations of Physical Cultures
• Chapter 6. Great Britain and the Birth of Modern Sport: Economic, Political, Social, and Cultural Revolutions
• Chapter 7. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: The Development of Modern Sport
• Chapter 8. Games and Empires: Western Hegemony and Resistance to It
• Chapter 9. The Rise of International Sportsworlds: The Olympics, the World Cup, and Other Competitions
• Chapter 10. The West and the Rest: The Emergence of Critiques and Countercultures
• Chapter 11. The Golden Age of Modern Sport: Global Dramas and Global Influence
• Chapter 12. Snapshots From Our Times: Comparing the Globe’s Multiple Sportsworlds
• Further Reading and References
• Index
• About the Authors