INDEPENDENT STUDY TOPICS
PSE 4UI
WOMEN IN SPORT/SEXISM IN SPORT
1. Exercise during pregnancy. Is there too much, too little?
2. The female cheerleader? What is the image? Is it titillation or sport? What is their
role? Is it taken seriously as a mainstream sport?
3. The female athlete triad. What is it ? (keywords:kari fasting,eating
disorders,osteoporosis, amenorrhea)
4. Games boys play. Is there inequity in funding and opportunity for Canadian
female athletes? (keywords: laura robinson, Canadian human rights act, Justine
blainey)
5. What is the effect of extensive training on young female athletes? ( keywords:
amenorrhea, eastern bloc gymnasts, growth plate fusion, bella karoli)
6. Can females compete with men at THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL? (keywords:
Danika Patrick, Hayley wickenheiser, Manon Rheaume, Nancy Lieberman, Billy
jean king)
7. Nike’s “ If you let me play “ Campaign. Fact or fiction? ( keyword: Melissa La
France)
BUSINESS OF SPORT
8. The shoe industry. Who really makes the money? Is it slave labour? Are we to
blame? (keywords: globetrotting sneaker, Cynthia Enloe, sweatshops)
9. The Scholarship System. Could it work in Canada ECONOMICALLY ?
10. “ I work for Nike”- Lebron James, 2003. Athletes are employed by their sponsors first,
and their team second. Discuss the role of corporate America in pro sports.
11. Professional athletes are NOT paid fairly for their work ( keywords: fair market value,
compensation )
RACE AND SPORT
12. In the wake of the Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice incidents, discuss the perception that
professional athletes commit more violent acts than average, away from the playing
field. Do you think race is an issue?
13. The Native Canadian Athlete. ( keywords: Jordan Tootoo, Simon, hockey violence/native
Canadians)
14. Examine the history of the black hockey player. Why are there so few, yet a
disproportionate number of them are goons. Agree or disagree.
15. Nature v.s nurture. How have African Americans come to dominate certain sports.
Discuss the concepts of genetics, and/or cultural/sociological development.
16. If 2 NHL players fight, they are “ good old boys” and “ policemen” for their teammates.
If 2 black NBA players fight, they are “ thugs” or “ gangstas” . Discuss the idea that race
influences perception to a largely white, upper middle class fan base in pro sports.
GENERAL ISSUES
17. Blood doping and EPO. What are they, who does it, does it work?
18. Culture of homophobia? Are the locker rooms and playing fields still a place of
discrimination for gay/lesbian athletes? (key words:Michael Samm, John Ameche)
19. Head injuries: a result of technology and better protection or simply bigger athletes?
20. Physical Education programs should be taken out of schools.
21. Physical Education programs should not be taken out of schools.
22. The culture of violence in hockey. How and why is it accepted in hockey, but not in any
other sport? ( keywords; thugs on ice, Bertuzzi, Fanelli/Liambis, James Deacon )
23. Hitler 1936. Munich 1972. Soviet Union 1980. America 1984. The Olympic Games are
about world politics first, athletic excellence second. Dicuss
24. Is there truly financial support for our amateur athletes? Canadian Olympians are
expected to win medals, but are there enough resources ?
25. How does the media influence or manipulate our feelings and perceptions toward sport
and athletes?
26. Is there a place for handicapped sport?
27. The increased incidence of knee injuries in female athletes- why?
28. Technology in sport: how has it allowed world records to be shattered? Is there a limit?
29. Discuss the drug testing policies of both amateur athletes ( olympics) as well as that of
MLB, NHL, NBA and NFL. Should marijuana be included still?What really happens, and
is it fair, or a joke?
30. Is there a connection between brain trauma and depression/ suicide?( keywords: Junior
seau, Wade belak, Ray Easterling,Jovan Belcher, OJ Murdoch,C.T.E)