Research by the Fall, 1998 class
Research by the Fall, 2002 class
Research by the Fall, 2004 class
The African Americans in Sport course at West Virginia University was implemented in 1994 in order to introduce students to the socio-cultural and historical contributions made by African American men and women in the sport arena in the United States. The course is taught by Dr. Dana Brooks, who also serves as Dean of the School of Physical Education and is a noted researcher and academician in sport sociology.
The objectives of the course
include the socio-historical discussion of groundbreaking legislature in
society and the affects it had on student/athletes on an intercollegiate and
professional level. The course provides its students with a broad base of
knowledge regarding the effects of NCAA legislation on student/athlete
eligibility, the prevalence of stereotypes within sport, and the effects of
segregation and integration of sports at West Virginia University and the
public schools within the state of West Virginia. Additionally, important time
periods such as the Pre and Post Civil War periods, the decades of the
nineteenth century, post World War II era and the Civil Rights Movement in the
1960’s are discussed. These various eras made major contributions to the
development of sports and participation of the African American
student/athlete. Also discussed are the relationship between sport
participation and upward mobility in American society. The students are
introduced to strategies that may be effective in the eradication of racism in
sports.
Click here for Dean Brooks' web page, including syllabus and PowerPoint presentations