BA (Hons)
International Sports Management with Men’s Football
Degree Programme

YEAR 1

Courses

• MGT 3200 Foundations of Business

  An introductory survey course designed to introduce students to the principles and functions of a business. The various functional areas of business will be discussed, including economic systems, small business, management, human relations, marketing, accounting and finance. The course will also review the role of businesses in society and business ethics.

• MTH 3111 Functions with Applications

  This course is designed to provide students with the necessary mathematical background for calculus courses and its applications to some business and economics courses. It covers the fundamentals of real-valued functions, including polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions and introduces students to the concepts of derivative and integral calculus with its applications to specific concepts in micro- and macro-economics

• MGT 3201 Foundations of Computer Applications

  This is a foundations course comprised of a broad overview of information systems and technology, as principally used in support of business processes and decision-making activities. An in-depth discussion of the relationship, between organizations and information systems is a fundamental element of the course. Topics include: computer hardware and software, operating systems, the use of excel in management practice, social issues related to information systems. The use of excel provides a common thread in the topics covered throughout the course.

• SPT 3200 Sport and Society

  This course introduces students to the various ways in which social science disciplines attempt to understand key cultural and ideological issues in sport from an international perspective. This will be achieved by utilising social theories that explore how dominant understandings of race, gender, class and disability are both reinforced and challenged through sport. Analysing these key issues will help students critically understand how global sport has been used as a political tool both historically and in contemporary society.

• GEP 3105 Tools for Change

  In this course, students will discuss and respond to social issues in the local area through group work, reflecting on how they can become both collaborative and independent learners. They will research the context of and plan for service learning in the local area. They will learn to use a range of digital platforms for individual and group project work, focussing strongly on effective communication, including oral presentation and written reports using a range of relevant primary and secondary sources.

• GEP 3180 Research and Writing I

  This core course concentrates on developing the students’ ability to read and think critically, and to read, understand and analyse texts from a range of genres. How do you successfully negotiate a path through a sea of information and then write it up? Using essential information literacy skills to help with guided research, this course develops the ability to produce effective and appropriate academic writing across the curriculum. This is the first course in the Richmond academic research and writing sequence.

Plus one of the following:

• GEP 3150 Visual Thinking

  This course provides an interdisciplinary grounding in the practice and theory of critical visual thinking. Through theoretical frameworks such as semiotics, it explores predominantly photographic images, from across a range of cultures and contexts: the arts, politics, science, sport and technology. Through visual analysis, it considers digital forms of observation and image making, as well as building understanding by visual practice. It examines questions concerning curating, circulating and making public the images we produce. It asks: What are the values and truths hidden in images? How can the practice of image production advance our thinking around images? How, in the context of a range of disciplines, can we learn to communicate ideas visually and verbally?

• GEP 3170 Narratives of Change

  This course considers a landscape of global ideas through the lens of contemporary literature. Students will be introduced to pivotal moments of recent thought surrounding gender, race, environment and technology, exploring how literature both shapes and responds to our changing world. Students will analyse literary, political, and theoretical texts from a variety of cultures, exploring the relationship between written form, content and context particularly the ways in which social change might play out in literature. There will be the opportunity to produce both critical analysis in essay form and creative writing that responds to the texts studied.

YEAR 2

Courses

• ACC 4205 Managerial Accounting

  This course introduces students to the generation of cost data for the preparation of proper, representative financial statements, and for optimal planning and control of routine operations and long range organizational goals. It focuses on the uses of formal cost accounting systems and quantitative techniques to make managerial decisions. Topics include: direct absorption income statements, job and process costing, allocation and proration, pro-forma and capital budgeting.

• ECN 4105 Introduction to Microeconomics

  An introduction to basic economic methodology. Within a framework of supply and demand analysis, the behavior of producers and consumers is examined in the context of the efficient allocation of scarce resources in society.

• ECN 4110 Introduction to Macroeconomics

  This course introduces students to a theoretical treatment of national income and its key component parts. Macroeconomic models are used to examine policy issues and contemporary problems relating to output, income, spending and employment as well as inflation and growth.

• SPT 4100 Introduction to Sports Business

  An introduction to basic economic methodology. Within a framework of supply and demand analysis, the behavior of producers and consumers is examined in the context of the efficient allocation of scarce resources in society.

• SPT 4200 Introduction to Sports Psychology

  This course introduces students to a theoretical treatment of national income and its key component parts. Macroeconomic models are used to examine policy issues and contemporary problems relating to output, income, spending and employment as well as inflation and growth.

• MTH 4120 Probability & Statistics I

  An introductory course in probability primarily designed for business economics and psychology majors. The course coverage will include: descriptive statistics, elementary probability theory, random variables and expectations, discrete probability distributions (Binomial and Poisson distributions), continuous probability distribution (Normal distribution), linear regression analysis and correlations, elementary hypothesis testing and Chi-square tests, non-parametric methods and SPSS lab sessions targeting applications of statistical concepts to business, economics and psychology and interpretations of hardcopies. All practical work will be produced using SPSS statistical software.

• GEP 4105 Social Change in Practice

  This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to analyse London-based social and environmental needs. Students will discuss key texts related to service learning and apply a range of planning and research techniques to deliver a community-based project related to a chosen social or environmental issue. Students will use local resources when available including registered not-for-profit and community-based organizations and reflect critically on their ability to create a positive contribution to society. Students will engage in community-based service learning, with guided academic tasks and reflection.

• GEP 4180 Research and Writing II

  How do you train your critical research and writing skills to be effective in the academic and professional arenas? How do you design and structure an argument that is convincing? This core course focuses on the principles of good scholarship and academic practice that will be required throughout the students’ studies and in the workplace. These skills are developed throughout the course so that students may, with increasing confidence, produce well-researched writing that demonstrates critical engagement with a self-selected academic topic. This is the second course in the Richmond academic research and writing sequence.

YEAR 3

Courses

• FNN 5200 Corporate Finance

  This course examines the financial needs of corporations and the range of mechanisms available to meet them. The key concept of the time value of money is studied and applied to several decision models in capital budgeting and investment valuation. Other basic theories of Finance examined include risk versus return, modern portfolio theory, and basic financial statement analysis. Different financial requirements are considered with some emphasis in comparing internal and external sources of funds, their relative availability, and costs. Other topics considered include capital structure and dividend policy.

• MKT 5200 Principles of Marketing

  Concentrates on the legal framework within which most business takes place. Topics include corporate problems of raising and maintaining capital by shares; relationships of board of directors to shareholders; respective rights and obligations; relationships of companies to third parties; control and the principle of majority rule. Examples are used of the way statute and judge-made case law has dealt with these problems.

• SPT 5100 Sports Economics

  An introduction to economic principles and methodology applicable to sports. To provide students with the opportunity to explore the way in which economic theory and evidence can be used to analyse important policy issues in sports on the local, regional, national, and or global level.

• SPT 5210 Sports Events Planning & Promotion

  This course introduces students to the principles, concepts and steps involved in planning and executing successful events. The focus is on event project management skills needed to research, design, plan, market, and co-ordinate and evaluate a professional event. The special needs of different types of events will be discussed. It explores the new industry standards being set for event organisation and spectacular entertainment and ceremony and examines the penetration of special events on everyday lives, and the cultural importance attached to those events.

• SPT 5215 Sports Management

  This course introduces students to the principles, concepts and steps involved in planning and executing successful events. The focus is on event project management skills needed to research, design, plan, market, and co-ordinate and evaluate a professional event. The special needs of different types of events will be discussed. It explores the new industry standards being set for event organisation and spectacular entertainment and ceremony and examines the penetration of special events on everyday lives, and the cultural importance attached to those events.

• SPT 5200 International Sports Governance

  This course examines the governance of international sport with a focus on regulatory functions and organisational structures. Students will evaluate the role of national and international sports governing bodies and analyse ways in which good governance frameworks are embedded in corporate and non-profit sports organisations. The course also explores the role of stakeholding in sports governance and practices of social responsibility within various international sports settings. Students have opportunity to critically reflect on the strategic organisation of sport in different countries and engage with a variety of contemporary issues and challenges facing international sports organisations.

• MGT 5200 Research Methods and Data Analysis

  This course provides an overview of how research in business and economics can be conducted. Topics covered include research philosophies, critical literature review, and quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. This course prepares students for their Senior Projects.

Plus one of the following:

• GEP 5101 Service Learning: Digital Collaboration

  This Digital Collaboration Service-Learning course is a student community engagement course that aims to provide students from all disciplines and majors with the intellectual, professional, and personal skills that will enable them to build professional links and function well in culturally diverse communities both locally and globally, in a digital capacity. In addition to the hours of field work (typically 30 hours*), the student will also produce a critical reflective progress report of their experience (a learning log), a ‘community action’ portfolio (analytical essay), and a final oral presentation, based on their own creative project. These assessments have been designed to help the student reflect on the application of their specialist knowledge, the skills they are learning, and the benefits gained from the service-learning experience. During this service-learning course, the faculty supervisor work closely with each student to ensure that the community engagement is a successful one.This course enables students engage with organizations and communities outside of the university. Over two semesters, students will devise, plan and construct their own digital project for Charities, NGO’s and non-profit organisations via digital engagement and media networks. This course expands theories from digital global service learning, across different employment sectors, and aspects of society. It equips students to identify the ranges of opportunities for innovation and employment that digital skills offer, using digital resource and community building for physical and mental health. The course examines decolonial theories of global digital community. It is highly recommended that students have access to the use of a laptop and a smartphone for the duration of the course.

• GEP 5102 Service Learning: Leadership in a Changing World

  This is a Service Learning course that focuses on emerging forms of leadership. It aims to introduce students from all majors to the professional, intellectual and personal skills to enable them to understand different approaches to leadership and function well in culturally diverse communities globally. In addition to the hours of field work (typically 30 hours* depending on the organisation), the student will also produce a critical reflective progress report of their experience (a project log), and a portfolio of their work (potentially as an analytical essay, or a video or a Report or an oral presentation). These assessments have been designed to help the student reflect on the application of their specialist knowledge, the leadership skills they are learning, and the benefits gained from the critical experiential service-learning. It will also help them determine if their current career goals are the correct fit for them.This course enables students to engage with organizations and communities outside of the university. During the semester, students will consider topics such as negotiation and behavioral influence. They will devise, plan and carry out their own engagement project for Charities, NGO’s and non-profit organisations. This course combines design thinking and behavioural design theories with global service learning theory, across different employment sectors and aspects of society. It equips students to identify opportunities for influence, leadership and employment both in and adjacent to their field. The course is underpinned by JEDI approaches to justice, equality, diversity and inclusion across the global community.

• GEP 5103 Service Learning: Environment and Society

  This Environmental Service Learning course is a student community engagement course that aims to provide students from all disciplines and majors with the intellectual, professional, and personal skills that will enable them to build professional links and function well in culturally diverse communities globally and within an Environmental perspective. In addition to the hours of field work (typically 30 hours* depending on the organisation), the student will also produce a critical reflective progress report of their experience (a learning log), a ‘community action’ portfolio (analytical essay), and a final oral presentation. These assessments have been designed to help the student reflect on the application of their specialist knowledge, the skills they are learning, and the benefits gained from the service-learning experience. It will also to help them determine if their current career goals are the correct fit for them. During this service-learning course, the faculty supervisor will work closely with each student to ensure that the community engagement is a successful one.

• GEP 5104 Service Learning: Global Citizenship and Migration

  This course examines the theoretical, political and sociological conceptions of citizenship and their limitations. It looks at both the theoretical constructs and the concrete policies that have shaped the experience of the citizen and of the migrant. The course therefore considers the development of the nation state and the establishment of legal and social citizenship. It also examines the border as a mechanism of control and security. The course further addresses the intersection of experiences of citizenship across economic, racial and gender differences in the context of international governance as well as the globalization of economies and environmental issues. This is a Service-Learning student community engagement course that aims to provide students with the analytical and inter-personal skills to support key non-governmental and policy-making actors around the broad theme of citizenship and migration as well as to build an understanding of the needs and challenges faced by key stakeholders and local communities globally. Through consultation with key stakeholders, students will produce analytical written assessments on key questions around the theme of global citizenship and migration, they will also produce a range of work introducing them to a range of key employability skills in a range of key sectors related to citizenship, these might include: the local and global charity sector, local and national policy-making, as well as regional or international organisations. Students will be required to maintain a progress report that tracks learning and can act as a reference point for problem solving in the future.

YEAR 4

Courses

• SPT 6102 Talent Identification: Principles & Practice

  This course explores key factors and issues in contemporary sport, including, genetics, secondary factors such as birth date, cultural context and population size, perceptual motor skill acquisition and expertise, sports development policy. It uses in-depth case studies, including European soccer, East African running and US professional sports, with an emphasis throughout on practical implications and processes for all those working in sport.

• SPT 6105 Sports Finance

  This course examines the importance of finance within professional sports. It grounds students in the ‘real world’ of financial management in sport, illustrating how to apply financial concepts and appreciate the importance of finance in sound sport management and operations, and distinguishes the skills and principles of finance from those of economics

• SPT 6104 Sports Marketing

  The course introduces students to the core philosophy and process of sport marketing. It examines the essential practices of effective sports marketing including, marketing strategy, product development, segmentation, targeting, pricing, and consumer behavior. Learning activities include in-depth analysis of case studies, sport markets and consumers, market research and sports market segmentation, and sport marketing plans.

• SPT 6391 Senior Project in International Sports Management I

  Senior Project in Sports Management I is the first constituent of the senior project, which is the culmination of a student's studies in the business major. The course consists of developing a research project through engaging with instructor-led seminars, in which various research practices are explored. The project requires a significant level of enquiry and research sports management, and students will typically investigate a hypothesis or issue on a relevant topic. Students will develop a critical framework for their senior project by establishing clear research aims and objectives, evaluating existing research on the topic through the production of a significant literature survey, define methodological approach, and designing an appropriate research tool for the senior project. Students will conduct extensive research and locate appropriate data sources within sports management industries. Research process and practice is supported by regular-scheduled meetings with supervisor(s) throughout the course. At the conclusion of the course, students will present the critical framework to faculty for approval before progressing to Sports Management Senior Project II

• SPT 6392 Senior Project in International Sports Management II

  Senior Project in Sports Management II is the second constituent of the senior project, which is the culmination of a student's studies in the business major. The course consists of conducting a research project by employing the critical framework, research methodologies and research tools developed in Sport Management Senior Project I. Students will focus upon the practical methods for collecting data from appropriate sources within sport management industries; and analyse the data by using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches. The course prioritises development of scholarly research practices for the processes of analysing, interpreting and presenting research findings. Students receive support throughout by regular-scheduled meetings with supervisor(s). At the conclusion of the course, students will present the research findings to faculty and complete a senior project report.

Plus one of the following:

• SPT 6103 Team & Leadership Dynamics

  This is an applied leadership course with focus on case studies, projects, and group interactions; it includes theoretical background on group dynamics, small group behaviour and motivation, power, types of groups, verbal and non-verbal communications skills, and teambuilding. Emphasis will be placed on sociological and psychological dimensions of inter-group and team relations, including analysis and problem solving through simulations, cases, and similar activities.

• SPT 6101 Coaching & Team Management

  This module explores the science and practice of coaching. The coach and coaching are at the core of sport and sporting experience. In this course the foci are the coach as a person and coaching practice as a complex social encounter. In the course students will examine practical, vocational and scientific principles that underpin the sports coaching process. This course is practice-oriented and will provide students with skills, knowledge and scientific background needed to prepare athletes and sports people technically, tactically, physically and mentally. This module helps to bridge the gap between coaching theory and from coaching practice enabling students to develop and extend their coaching expertise.

Integrated Internship

• SPT 6901 World Internship in Sport Management

  This module explores the science and practice of coaching. The coach and coaching are at the core of sport and sporting experience. In this course the foci are the coach as a person and coaching practice as a complex social encounter. In the course students will examine practical, vocational and scientific principles that underpin the sports coaching process. This course is practice-oriented and will provide students with skills, knowledge and scientific background needed to prepare athletes and sports people technically, tactically, physically and mentally. This module helps to bridge the gap between coaching theory and from coaching practice enabling students to develop and extend their coaching expertise.

• SPT 6902 Internship in Sport Management

  This module explores the science and practice of coaching. The coach and coaching are at the core of sport and sporting experience. In this course the foci are the coach as a person and coaching practice as a complex social encounter. In the course students will examine practical, vocational and scientific principles that underpin the sports coaching process. This course is practice-oriented and will provide students with skills, knowledge and scientific background needed to prepare athletes and sports people technically, tactically, physically and mentally. This module helps to bridge the gap between coaching theory and from coaching practice enabling students to develop and extend their coaching expertise.