Studying Sport In Higher Education

This is a subject specific unit that builds on the knowledge and understanding that students gained in semester one of their foundation year. The unit is focused on developing students’ skills and applied knowledge relevant to their future degree study of sport. During this unit students will gain knowledge and understanding of sport in a higher education environment through exploring a range of topics and activities reflecting the variety of sport degrees within the University. The students will produce assessment work that demonstrates the development of sport specific knowledge and academic skills that are applicable in a higher education environment. This unit aims to extend students’ confidence to explore new research topics and themes relating to studying sport in higher education.

Individuals In Society (Sport)

This unit has been designed to enable you to develop your understanding of some of the core intellectual themes and issues that you will encounter as part of your degree study within the Faculty of Education and Sport.

Within the unit you will be studying aspects of current Government policy and consider how it is influencing sport, health and wellbeing. To support this you will be introduced to aspects of sociological and psychological thinking. You will use this knowledge of the underpinning theories and concepts that relate to: you as an individual; the society in which you live; the subject area that you will be focussing on during your degree.

The unit content serves the combined purposes of developing knowledge and understanding that will form the foundation for your degree studies; developing the ability to apply theory to real world examples while becoming familiar with some of the issues, skills and techniques that you will meet in your degree studies.

Studying For He (Sport)

In this unit you will be introduced to what academic study in Higher Education involves both generally and related to studying specific subjects. You will be given opportunities to develop the skills, attitudes, confidence and strategies to help you succeed in the course meeting the entry requirements for university study. 

You will be supported in identifying where you have scope to develop skills and abilities using planning for your on-going personal development, through exploring what works best for you. Tutors will guide you towards the options best suited for the subject area you are hoping to study in your degree.

As you go through the year you will notice that you will be able to link the learning that you do in this unit with other parts of the course and apply the learning to the assessments you will be doing.

Examining Research (Sport)

This unit applies subject knowledge and critical thinking that you have developed during the course. It will give you the opportunity to think about what research is and how different people in your subject area develop the research process. You will examine some research that has been done in relation to a subject that you will be studying on your degree. This is your chance to analyse what the researchers have done and assess its strengths and weaknesses

You will learn about the process of developing a small scale research project from the point of view of students and staff who have experience of doing it. You will get the opportunity to think about the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most commonly used research tools by looking at how others have used them.

 As this is an introduction before you get the opportunity to study research design and methods in more depth, the aim is to give you the opportunity to look at a variety of examples to develop an informed understanding of different approaches.

The project that you produce will demonstrate the development and application of your subject knowledge through using the academic skills that you have gained in the other units of the course. This will give you the confidence to know that you will be able to develop your skills and in future participate in work of this kind on your degree studies.

Working In Sport

This unit will introduce you to the multiple career pathways available within the Sport & Physical Activity industry. 

The unit will start by introducing the key agencies and organisations within the sector and consider the current situation within the industry. You will explore the challenges facing the sector and review examples of best practice.

The unit will help you consider your pathway into the sector and allow you to recognise your skills and experience as well as providing opportunities for you to consider your personal development needs.

In doing this, the unit will enable you to plan for your on-going personal development and consider your future employability. The unit will help you prepare for applying for both volunteering and potentially paid employment opportunities within local schools and community based sports clubs.

Academic Writing Skills

In this unit we will help you to find the answers to the following questions:

What do I need to do to produce academic work to a higher education standard?

What are some of the key ideas that underpin my subject area and how can I write about them academically?

This unit will equip you with the skills you need to succeed in higher education and will introduce you to the key concepts and knowledge base that underpin your field of study. It will act as an extended induction programme to your degree. You will take an active approach to constructing knowledge in the unit. All sessions are workshops where you will take part in learning activities including discussion, information gathering, analysis, evaluation, debate and written exercises. In the sessions you will complete, share, discuss and develop work. You will undertake guided, focused discussion and analysis of literature and concepts. The assessments will be approached in a step-by-step basis to ensure you are confident in what is required to complete a successful assessment at university.

Introduction To Research Methods

This unit introduces you to quantitative and qualitative research, consequently serving as a foundation stone for either the BA or BSc research methods units at Level 5. The knowledge and skills gained are essential for successful degree study. The research concepts and skills in this unit apply to each of the disciplines encountered on the Sport and Physical Education degree programme.

It introduces the concept of research methodologies and overviews basic quantitative and qualitative paradigms, research designs, data collection methods, sampling, analysis and validity/trustworthiness. You will also consider the overlaps between these approaches. Overall, the unit aims to:

Provide an introduction to the concept of methodological approaches to research and basic qualitative methods

Provide an overview of basic quantitative research methods

Introduce students to designing and undertaking research projects that apply to contemporary issues in sport and physical education disciplines

Foundations For Football Coaching

This unit seeks to:

• Introduce you to the theory and application of how to develop a positive learning environment that enables the performer to develop fundamental physical and technical skills.
• Help you to develop your practical coaching skills in relation to the design and delivery of practice to meet the needs of their performers.
• Encourage an understanding of self in the role of an assistant coach.

The Football Industry

Football is the most popular game in the world. In many ways, what happens on the field of play is of less importance than the wider significance of the game. This unit aims to introduce students to the processes by which football has an enormous impact on contemporary society.
Consideration is given to the historical foundations underpinning the modern game of British football and the ways in which the game’s development can be linked to broader aspects of society change, and commercialisation.
In addition, the unit will also focus on the causes of fandom - what makes us become a fan of a particular team? Why do some only support successful teams yet others continue to support unsuccessful teams?

The unit also examines the various governance and economic factors which have shaped football into a global cultural phenomenon and industry.

Introduction To Football Studies

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a broad understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the football industry. Both current and relevant research will be used during all teaching sessions to deliver content on a wide range of topics. The relevance of this unit is to prepare students for the subjects covered at both levels 5 and 6.

Sport In Action: Management

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the practical application of management principles within sport organisations.

The unit examines the nature of the sport industry and the role of the state, non-profit and professional sectors in sport. It also focuses on core management principles and their application in a sporting context, highlighting the unique challenges faced in a career in sport management.

The unit is ideal for students studying sport management related courses as well as those focussed on physical education courses who are seeking an overview of sport management principles.

Sport, Physical Activity And Life Story

The central question that this unit aims to address is:

How do elite athletes actively make and re-make social structure which shapes and conditions their sport experiences?

The syllabus is based on current biographies of some famous sports figures and informed by recent research in the area of sports sociology.

Social Psychology Of Sport

This unit builds upon the foundations developed in the Level 4 Sport Psychology unit. The unit employs social-psychological theories, principles and concepts to understand behaviour in a variety of sport and physical activity contexts. Throughout the unit, the link between theory and practice is emphasised. The implications of the material for coaching, teaching, programme development and your own sport participation will be explored.

 The unit aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding based on relevant research in the following areas...

the social psychological factors influencing participation and performance in sport

group dynamics models and principles and their application to a variety of sport and activity contexts

the role of sport and physical activity in the psycho-social development of participants

the development and application of  strategies to promote positive experiences for participants

Performance Analysis (Player And Match)

This unit aims to build on an understanding of the fundamentals of performance analysis (player and match) within sport. The unit will focus on the practical application of a range of analysis techniques for use with performers and coaches and the ability to provide appropriate feedback from the findings.

The unit also aims to encourage individual and group creativity and critical thinking and collaborative learning in a community of practice

Applied Football Coaching

This unit aims to build on the level 4 unit, Foundations for Football Coaching. You will develop your understanding of coaching football by considering two key elements of football coaching that relate to a) understanding yourself and your role as a coach as well as b) understanding the player. You will also develop an understanding of how the two interact and use this understanding to apply your knowledge in a practical coaching setting.

The unit draws on underpinning research related to coach education and development.

Dissertation Preparation

The unit is fundamental to help develop the skills necessary for reading and understanding research and you will specifically design and complete a comprehensive dissertation proposal with accompanying ethical documentation. Key research areas will be discussed and students will be encouraged to read a range of peer reviewed research articles in the area they are writing a proposal in. 

Football Development

The identification and development of talented young players has become a concern for football clubs at all levels, as well as for national and international governing bodies. This unit provides an assessment of youth development programmes in football around the world, to highlight best practice and to offer recommendations for the future.
The unit also examines the various governance and economic factors which have shaped the football development and transfer industry.

Simultaneously, you will have the opportunity and scope to develop the personal and academic skills sets necessary to successfully progress into your 3rd year of study in a supportive environment.

Literature from long term athlete development, football development, football industry, football development and sport development is used as the research basis for this unit

Football In The Community

Football is not just about developing players, this unit addresses the challenges facing those seeking to use football in a development setting namely: football-for-social change (football as a ‘social instrument’ through which personal, community, national development objectives may be achieved).
This unit also aims to enhance student awareness of the vocational opportunities available in football development and the associated desirable skills; allowing students to develop reflective practice, critical evaluation and work based compentancies.
Simultaneously, you will have the opportunity and scope to develop the personal and academic skills sets necessary to successfully progress into your 3rd year of study in a supportive environment.

Literature from sport development, strategic sport management and football industry is used as the research basis for this unit

Research Methods For Sport, Exercise And Physical Activity

This unit will expand upon the knowledge of the basic qualitative and quantitative methods and analysis covered during the Introduction to Research Methods unit at level 4. During this unit you will examine and conduct research using a range of methods of data collection and analysis within the field of sport, exercise and physical activity. The unit is fundamental to help continue develop the skills necessary for reading and understanding research.

Football Governance

Football Governance provides a comprehensive guide to the practical application of governance principles to grass roots and professional football organisations operating at all levels
The unit presents a balanced view between accepted practice and academic theory.
The unit is essential for those wishing to work and volunteer in the football sector and those seeking to undertake research into the governance of football organisations

Literature from sport management, sport governance and strategic sport management is used as the research basis for this unit

Dissertation For Sport And Physical Activity

This unit aims to:

 
Enhance your research knowledge (gained in L5 and 6) with a personally chosen topic focus, using your choice of research methods

Explore a key issue in sport and physical education and critically examine it through the use of current research that underpins the knowledge base of your academic curriculum

Select and use appropriate research methodologies, designs and analytical strategies that underpin a sustained piece of work

Critically discuss and explore your findings and relate them to the wider knowledge base for your chosen topic, with insightful conclusions

Work Placement Project

This unit aims to enhance student awareness of the vocational opportunities available in their chosen subject discipline and the associated desirable skills alongside opportunity for project development in a specific topic related to the work experience. Students will develop reflective practice, critical evaluation and work-based competencies as well as undertaking a project requiring data analysis. In order to achieve this, students are expected to find and maintain a suitable work placement for a minimum of 60 hours. The placement project topic chosen should relate to some aspect of the content and issues within an appropriate discipline, and should examine a limited area in depth rather than attempt any wide-ranging generalised investigation. You will be required to meet your supervisor on a regular basis to discuss your progress. You will be required to complete ethical documentation before you start your data collection. This will be reviewed by the Undergraduate School Ethics Committee via specific meetings throughout the unit. 

Performance Coaching

This unit firstly seeks to enable students to understand the distinctions between coaching for participation, development and performance. It then aims to enable the student to understand and apply current key concepts and practices in performance sport coaching. Lastly, it aims to develop the student’s ability to practically apply this knowledge.

Advanced Coaching For Football

This unit aims to build on the level 4 unit, Foundations for Football Coaching and the level 5 unit, Applied Football Coaching.

You will develop your understanding of coaching football by considering two further key elements of football coaching that relate to a) How we support and b) understanding the game. You will also develop an understanding of how the two interact and use this understanding to apply your knowledge in a practical coaching setting.

Coaching Alternative Populations

This unit aims to build on knowledge gained in units at level 4 and level 5 unit
The unit is designed to give football coaches and development students ideas and practices for the inclusion of disabled, hearing impaired or visually impaired players in football, whether in mainstream or impairment-specific sessions
You will develop your understanding of coaching football by considering the key elements of football coaching that relate to a) How we support members of alternative populations b) understanding the game.
You will also develop an understanding of how the interact and use this understanding to apply your knowledge in a practical coaching setting.

You will be required to relate theory to practice in your coaching. Within this, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate judgement with respect to which principles apply to a given coaching situation. Tasks will be centred on current research and applied practice.

Performance Analysis For Football

This unit aims to build on an understanding of the fundamentals of performance analysis (player and match) applied to football. The unit will focus on the practical application of a range of analysis techniques for use with players and coaches and the ability to provide appropriate feedback from the findings.

The unit also aims to encourage individual and group creativity and critical thinking and collaborative learning in a community of practice. 

Player Potential And Development

Spotting football playing potential has become increasingly important. Football clubs are desperate to try and recruit the best young football players to help them succeed and this process begins from a young age. A good recruitment process can also bring financial rewards in the transfer market.

Drawing on research into youth football across the globe, this unit will examine what player potential in football might look like at various ages and the ways in which this might be best identified. It will also examine the best ways to develop this potential in a footballing context.

Psychology For Football

Psychology is one of the four corners of player development and as such needs to be understood by those with an interest in player development. This unit aims to relate psychological theory covered at levels 4 and 5 to practice in relation to learning and playing football.

it draws on the growing body of research related to the psychology of football.

Professional Practice Year (Sport Science And Physical Activity)

This unit aims to provide appropriate work experience based learning and experience in the responsibilities of the work place. This unit will allow students to develop their professional and transferable skills in the work place and will assess individuals reflection based on key models of reflective literature and examination of professional behaviours.

Applied Sport And Exercise Psychology

The unit explores how sport and exercise psychology can be utilised to enhance performance in a range of physical activity contexts. Drawing upon psychological skill training (PST) and other interventions, the unit will provide a comprehensive insight into how practitioners can use a variety of techniques in their work with athletes. The unit will combine the growing body of research informed knowledge from empirical evidence with established and novel applied techniques.

Dissertation For Sport Science And Physical Activity

This unit is a structured independent study which involves selecting a topic that is approved by an appropriate staff member of the School of Sport Science and Physical Activity who will subsequently become your supervisor. You will conduct an in-depth scientific study of that topic. The topic chosen should be one that is of interest to you and is also deemed to be an important topic within the field of Sport Science and Physical Activity. You will be expected to engage in considerable independent scholarly activity, building upon the initial topic and reading material discussed with your supervisor. The topic chosen should relate to some aspect of the content and issues within an appropriate discipline, and should examine a limited area in depth rather than attempt any wide-ranging generalised investigation. You will be required to meet your supervisor on a regular basis to discuss your progress. You will be required to complete ethical documentation before you start your data collection. This will be reviewed by the Undergraduate School Ethics Committee via specific meetings throughout the unit. 

Work Experience For Sport Science And Coaching

This unit provides students with the opportunity to gain work experience within a suitable sport science and/or coaching environment. It will provide an invaluable opportunity for students to understand the cultural or employment context of their academic discipline and to enhance awareness of skills that are required in such applied or vocational settings. Other benefits include improving their work experience portfolios to support their subsequent pursuit of employment or promotion, enhanced communication skills, and networking opportunities.