HIST 340: Basketball and the American Experience

HIST 340-001: Basketball and the American Experience
(Fall 2023)

12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW

Music Theater Building 1007

Section Information for Fall 2023

Basketball and the American Experience explores the history of basketball in the United States. Students will examine why the game was invented and trace its development since the late 1800s. Students will also examine how basketball has reflected issues of race, ethnicity class, gender, urbanization, and national identity, and how the game has informed peoples’ attitudes toward these issues. Subjects include: basketball and the YMCA movement; the Jewish influence on the game; college basketball in the 1930s; racial segregation and basketball; international politics and basketball; the evolution of a black aesthetic; the popularization of high school basketball; the history of women’s basketball; the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird; the phenomenon of Michael Jordan; and the professionalization and commercialization of the game.

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Explores history of basketball in the United States since the late 1800s. Examines how basketball reflects and informs attitudes toward race, ethnicity, gender, and national identity. Possible topics include YMCA movement, Jews in basketball, racial segregation, growth of college basketball, international politics, evolution of black aesthetic, ABA-NBA merger, women's basketball, Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry, Michael Jordan, and basketball's professionalization, commercialization, and globalization. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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