1. Summer Enrichment at Penn State Sports Figures and Society 3 ½ - Week Session
Mon-Fri; July 1st –July 23rd Class Meeting Hours: 1:10pm – 2:10pm
Aaron Sauer Class Location: 110 Borland Building
asauer36@gmail.com
Overview: The effects of athletes and the sports industry as a whole have a wide and long
lasting impact on their respective sport and society. Sports have permeated news and business
while providing talking points for society’s views of gender, violence, and drugs. Athletes are
often put in the limelight for better or for worse and have to deal with the consequences of their
actions. We will look at crucial moments in the evolution of sports as they relate to their impact
on the ideology and social changes on the world.
Objectives: By the end of this course students will be able to identify and discuss historical and
current issues in the sports industry. Students will also examine the role of prominent sports
figures within the context of their respective societies.
Classroom Procedures:
Attendance Policy: It is expected that students attend each class and arrive promptly ready to
learn.
Professionalism Policy: Per university policy and classroom etiquette; mobile phones, iPods, etc.
must be turned off during class. Those not heeding this rule will be asked to leave the classroom
immediately so as to not disrupt the learning environment. Please arrive on time for all class
meetings. Students who habitually disturb the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and have been
warned may suffer a reduction in their final class grade.
Academic Conduct Policy: Cheating and plagiarism is not tolerated. Incidents will be reported to
the Director.
Course Requirements:
Supplies Needed: Students will need a writing implement and a notebook. Classroom supplies
can be purchased at the on campus Bookstore or downtown at McLanahan’s.
Format of Assignments: Homework assignments will be on a hard copy to be handed in the
following class day. All work must be handed in by deadlines. If late, there will be a deduction in
grade. An opportunity will be available for missed work. Students must notify me in advance if
they will miss class.
Each student, either individually or in a group, will be asked to do a 10 minute presentation on a
current event in the world of sports. This should include either a PowerPoint or video
presentation along with a written assignment.
Acknowledgement to Professor Michael Poorman for COMM 170, Introduction to the Sports
Industry class from Spring 2015.

2. Grading Policy:
Criterion Percent Final Grade
Homework Out of 20
In Class Assignments/Presentation Out of 20
Classroom Participation Out of 20
Progress/Effort Out of 20
Attendance and Punctuality Out of 20
Out of 100
Grading Scale (%)
97-100 A+
94 - 96 A
90 - 93 A-
87-89 B+
84-86
80-83
77-79
74-76
67-69
60-66
0-59
B
B-
C+
C
D+
D
F

3. Course Outline
7/1/15 Course Introduction
Student Introduction
Discuss Syllabus and Class Presentation
7/2/15 Athletes and Sports Figures
The List – Sports Illustrated, 1954-1994
HW: Write five athletes who you would add to a list of the most influential athletes
and sports industry men and women from 1995 to 2015, and why you have chosen these
figures.
7/3/15 NO CLASSES IN CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY!
7/6/15 MLB Free Agency – Marvin Miller and Curt Flood
Rights of Athletes
HW: Does baseball free agency benefit the player, organization, or both?
7/7/15 Connecting to the Viewer – The Rise of Television, Sports, and News
Munich Olympics Hostage Crisis
The Cold War and Sports
HW: How and why do sports bring the world and countries together? Do you feel a
connection to a specific sport, team, or athlete because of his or her nationality or their
influence on society?
7/8/15 The Beginning of Marketing of Athletes
Mark McCormick and Arnold Palmer
The Arnold Palmer Drink
HW: Choose a television ad or product endorsed by a professional athlete. Does the
athlete make you want to buy the product he or she is selling? Why or why not?
7/9/15 Money and Sports – Forbes Richest Athletes
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao
HW: Is it fair that athletes, in particular Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, earn
such a large amount of money while others in the world struggle everyday to live
comfortably? Would you change the way in which athletes are paid?
7/10/15 The Business of Sports - Nike
Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight
HW: After learning more about the Nike Brand, would you now reconsider buying Nike
products? Why or why not?
7/13/15 The Jordan Brand and Bo Jackson
The Billion Dollar Man

4. MJ at 50
HW: Other than Michael Jordan, which current athlete, past or present, can be seen as a
global sports icon and how has he or she been able to make a worldwide impact?
7/14/15 Women and Sports
Title IX
Billy Jean King and Ronda Rousey
The United States Women National Soccer Team
HW: What has happened to coverage of female athletes and athletics in news and
highlight shows since 1999? Has it increased or decreased? Why do you think this is?
7/15/15 LAST DAY OF CLASS FOR 2 ½ - Week
Class Presentations
7/16/15 NFL Domestic Violence
NFL, No More
Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, and Adrian Peterson
HW: If you were the commissioner of the NFL, how would you have dealt with the
domestic violence situation? Would your punishments be more lenient or more harsh?
How can the NFL change its culture to prevent these actions and educate society?
7/17/15 Steroids and Performance Enhancing Drugs
Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds
HW: If you were an athlete and had someone offer you steroids or PED’s, would you
accept them if you knew you would not be caught? Why or why not? Does the use of
steroids affect the sport overall by damaging or lessening the skill or importance of the
sport?
7/20/15 Sexuality and Sports
Michael Sam, Jason Collins, and Brittney Griner
HW: At what point, if any, do you think that being a gay athlete will not be a factor in an
athlete being drafted or being discriminated against in the locker room? Why will this
change happen or not happen?
7/21/15 The NCAA
Penn State Scandal
7/22/15 NO CLASS! HERSHEY PARK TRIP!
7/23/15 Final Day of Classes!!!
Wrap up Day