Friday, December 21, 2007

RESOURCE: Sports Digital Library - Italy

The Italian Olympic committee CONI announces the "Sports Digital
Library" project to coincide with the centenary of its establishment.
The project originally aimed to preserve, through digitisation, the
archive of Italian sports journals, such as Il littoriale, La ginnastica
and Annuario sportivo.

It has now evolved to provide enhanced access to the digitized copies of
many historically significant newspapers published between 1868 and
1970.

This searchable database will be permanently maintained by CONI's
library services and be freely accessible via the Internet.
An accompanying newspaper directory of bibliographic and holdings
information on the website will direct users to the newspaper titles
available.

CONI will continue, in the following years to digitize a significant
number of newspaper pages drawn from its own collections.

The website is reachable directly at http://emeroteca.coni.it or through
the banner inserted in the CONI website http://www.coni.it for any
further information on the project please contact the National Sports
Library at bns@coni.it.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

CONFERENCE: 2008 ISSA - 5th World Congress of Sociology of Sport

This is a preliminary announcement for the 2008 International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA) conference (5th World Congress of Sociology of Sport) which will be held July 26-29 in Kyoto, JAPAN.

The conference theme is “Sport and Society At the Crossroads” and there is a very inclusive range of session themes.

Kyoto is a beautiful city and beyond an excellent academic program the conference hosts are organising some wonderful social events.

The conference website is:

http://jsss.jp/issa2008.html

and will soon be accepting abstracts.

Deadlines - important dates:

29th February 2008: Submission of abstracts
31st March 2008: Notification of acceptance of contribution
30th April 2008: Deadline for reduced registration fee
26th July 2008: Arrival and registration
29th July 2008: Departure

Questions about registration can be addressed to the Congress coordinator at:
overseas@jsss.jp
or you can contact the ISSA General Secretary at:
steve.jackson@otago.ac.nz.

Note: Further information will soon be available on the conference website as well as the ISSA website:

http://www.issa.otago.ac.nz/conferences.html.

Friday, December 07, 2007

GRAD PROGRAM: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Graduate Study in Human Movement Sciences

Announcing an opportunity for those with degrees in kinesiology and/or
sociology of physical activity.

The Department of Human Movement Sciences (College of Health Sciences)
at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is seeking motivated graduate
students for our M.S. Kinesiology and Ph.D. in Health Sciences programs.
These multidisciplinary programs provide instruction and research
opportunities for students interested in studying the biopsychosocial
aspects of human movement from the perspective of five sub-disciplines
represented by faculty in the program (sociology of physical activity,
sport and exercise psychology, motor behavior, exercise physiology, and
biomechanics.

Students would also have the opportunity to work with new UWM faculty
members who bring strong backgrounds in nutritional science to the
college of Health Sciences. Examples of currently ongoing research
involves sociology and epidemiology of nutrition and body weight.

Department of Human Movement Sciences and MS Kinesiology program
information, including admissions criteria, can be found at
http:///www4.uwm.edu/chs/academics/graduate/hmsgraduate/. Please
direct MS Kinesiology questions to Dr. Barbara Hart (414.229.5678) or
hart@uwm.edu

The college of Health sciences Ph.D. program information can be found
at http://cfprod.imt.uwm.edu/chs/academics/doctoral/hs_phd/. Please
direct Ph.D. program questions to Ms. Linda Miller (414.229-3226,
ljm@uwm.edu)

Graduate teaching assistant (GTA) positions are available in a number
of areas. For full consideration for a GTA appointment, materials must
be received by January 15, 2008. A limited number of fellowships and
free standing awards ($5K-$20K) may be available to outstanding students
as a stipend supplement. In addition, research or project assistantships
may be available pending individual faculty funding cycles. Only
students admitted to the MS or PhD programs will be considered for a GTA
appointment. Candidates may individual their interest in being
considered for a GTA within their documentation for admission to the
program.

Appointments begin in mid/late August and are for one academic year (9
months), renewable and dependent on funding. GTA appointments are
half-time (Approximately 20 hours per week) and carry a waiver of
tuition plus a stipend of approximately $11,000 per academic year.
Students are responsible for paying fees.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

CFP: Fun and Games: The Principle of Pleasure in Art and Architecture

23rd Annual Graduate Art History Symposium, 7-8 March 2008
The University of Iowa School of Art and Art History, Iowa City, Iowa

Keynote Speaker: Margaretta Lovell, University of California, Berkeley

Art and architecture are serious stuff. We have no time for fun and games. Or do we? References to play, entertainment, and leisure abound in the discipline-- from an Athenian amphora adorned with dice players and signed by Exekias to enigmatic Maya "ballcourts"; from Judith Leyster's paintings of comic figures to woodblock views of festivals by Utagawa Hiroshige; from Marcel Duchamp's "malic" chessmen to much of Claes Oldenberg's entire oeuvre. In the last half a century or so, an interest in the subject has permeated the scholarly literature and become integral to a range of methodological approaches. Robert Venturi offered lessons on the forms of the Las Vegas Strip, while T.J. Clark drank in the leisure activities of modern life. And Jacques Derrida took pleasure in jouissance, while Henry Louis Gates "signified" a provocative reading of African American trickster figures.

The graduate students of The University of Iowa Art History Society have decided that it is high time we made time to consider this zenith of "lowbrow" subject matter. AHS hereby solicits applications for participation in our 2008 graduate student symposium on Fun and Games: The Principle of Pleasure in Art. Papers may treat works of any genre, historical period, or geographical designation. Proposals must take the form detailed below. Final papers must be 20-25 minutes in length. Proposals must be postmarked by December 7, 2007. Topics might include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Art that treats, or relates to, pleasure, play, leisure, and entertainment (subjects might include tourism, sports, reading, shopping, games, dancing, music, gardening, or humor)
  • "Entertainment architecture"?spaces and places created for amusement,sport, or leisure activities (for example, museums, opera houses, festivals, world fairs, tourist attractions, and gardens)
  • Artists/architects as entertainers
Proposals must include the following components:

  • A 1-2 page, double-spaced abstract conforming to Chicago Manual of Style guidelines
  • A copy of the applicant's curriculum vitae
  • A brief letter of support from the applicant's graduate advisor

Proposals should be sent, as hard copies, to the following address:

Attn: Megan Masana
University of Iowa
School of Art and Art History
150 Art Building West
Iowa City, Iowa 52245-7000

With the authors' permission, a selection of participants' papers will be published in Montage, the online journal of The University of Iowa graduate Art History Society (http://www.uiowa.edu/~montage/). AHS will provide a small honorarium to accepted participants, as our final budget permits; further information will be provided upon acceptance.
Participants will be required to submit their papers, in full, four weeks prior to the event.

For more information, please contact symposium chairwoman, Megan Masana,
at masanam@aol.com.

CFP: Sport, Communication, and the Culture of Consumption

Call for Papers
American Behavioral Scientist
Special Issue
"Sport, Communication, and the Culture of Consumption"

Guest Editor
Lawrence A. Wenner
Loyola Marymount University

Extended Submission Deadline
February 1, 2008

American Behavioral Scientist, one of the world's preeminent interdisciplinary journals in the social and behavioral sciences, published by Sage Publications, is pleased to call for papers for a special issue focused on "Sport, Communication, and the Culture of Consumption." From media events such as the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games to global sport celebrities such as Tiger Woods and David Beckham to the transnational media and advertising corporations that drive them all, it is easy to recognize that the communication of sport has become a large engine of consumer culture. Such mega-phenomena combine with the constant drip of sports communication, not only in specialty sports networks and in print and web publishing, but in interpersonal and group settings where we make sense of what sport and its promotional culture means. Through communication, the sensibilities of sport are often intertwined with decisions about what we drink and eat, what we drive, what we wear and the activities we choose to value. Because such decisions circulate meaning themselves, the influences of sport and its commodification become more even more ubiquitous and naturalized. Towards understanding such phenomena, this special issue seeks to examine emerging concerns and trends associated with the increasingly large social and cultural footprint of sport and its commodification. The issue explores the role and impact of communication and media in enabling sport and its culture to serve as an engine of consumer culture. The special issue especially seeks studies that examine how the shadow of sport fans out via marketing, advertising, and other promotional strategies to make connections with audiences and consumers. Also of interest are studies that shed light on the role that norms and values that come with the commodification of sport play in interpersonal and group communication settings. There is special interest in hearing from scholars from diverse disciplinary and geographic quarters on topics that assess the forces of globalization in the consumption culture of sport and consider its impacts in relation to race, gender, class, religion, age, and disability.

Manuscripts should not exceed 30 pages, including text, references, notes, tables, and figures, and must conform to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th edition). In order to facilitate the blind, peer review process, no material identifying the author(s) of submitted manuscripts should appear anywhere other than the title page. The title page should include:
(a) the title of the paper;
(b) the author's name, position, institutional affiliation, address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address;
(c) any acknowledgments, including the history of the manuscript if any part of it has been presented at a conference or is derived from a thesis or dissertation;
(d) a word count.
The first page of the manuscript itself should include the title of the paper, an abstract of not more than 200 words, and up to six key words for indexing.

Manuscripts must be received via email attachment in either MS-WORD (.doc) or Rich Text (.rtf) formats by September 1, 2007 at lwenner@lmu.edu. In the subject line of the email message, authors should specify "ABS Submission." In the text of this email message the submitting author should provide:
(a) complete contact information (address, telephone, fax, and email);
(b) brief biographical summaries (full name, highest earned academic degree, institution granting that degree, and present academic or professional position) for each author;
(c) the title of the manuscript; and
(d) a statement that the manuscript is the author(s)'s original work, that it is submitted for consideration for this special issue of American Behavioral Scientist, that it is not presently under consideration at any other journal nor published elsewhere; and that the reference list is complete and in appropriate form.

Monday, December 03, 2007

JOB: Department Chair, West Virginia University

West Virginia University
Associate Professor & Department Chair
School of Physical Education

The West Virginia University School of Physical Education invites applications and nominations for Chair of the Department of Coaching & Teaching Studies. This is an Associate Professor position in the newly created department that includes the following academic disciplines (graduate and undergraduate degrees):
* Physical Education Teacher Education (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.)
* Athletic Coaching Education (B.S., M.S.)
* Basic Instruction Program (a University service program)
The Chair will report to the Dean of the School of Physical Education and serve on an administrative team that includes the Dean, Associate Dean, and Budget Officer.
Appointment: August 15, 2008 - Nine-month appointment. Summer school teaching available.

Associate Professor Responsibilities:
1. Teach graduate and undergraduate classes.
2. Write, submit, and receive external grants to support the School's research mission.
3. Advise students.
4. Serve on appropriate University and School-wide committees.
5. Engage in a consistent and focused line of research.
Department Chair Responsibilities:
Provide academic and professional leadership, including strategic planning, student recruitment and retention, budget management, curriculum evaluation and development, and faculty evaluations for programs in the department.

Professional Qualifications:
An earned doctorate in Athletic Coaching Education, Physical Education Teacher Education, Kinesiology, or related area, with a record of teaching excellence and scholarly record that warrants appointment at the rank of associate professor at West Virginia University. Preference will be given to applicants with (1) administrative experience in higher education; (2) a broad perspective in the field of physical education including familiarity and/or experience with the other academic programs in the department; (3) evidence of the ability to obtain external funding, and (4) coaching experience. Ability to teach Sport Movement Analysis, Techniques of Coaching, or Human Movement. Excellent written and oral communication skills, and leadership skills are required.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications.
Review of Applications: Begins January 15, 2008, and will continue until the position is filled. Letter of Application/Nomination and Credentials:
Send application with supporting credentials (letter of application, curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of a minimum of four professional references) to the address below. Letter of application should speak to (1) ability to teach designated courses; (2) broad perspective on the field of physical education including a familiarity and/or experience with the other academic programs in the department. Visit our Web site at: http://www.wvu.edu/~physed/.

Search Committee Chair
c/o Debra Ann Hardesty WVU School of Physical Education
P.O. Box 6116 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 26506-6116

Electronic or faxed applications are acceptable. e-mail: debra.hardesty@mail.wvu.edu; fax: 304-293-4641. Please indicate "CATS Chair." in the subject line.
Direct specific application questions to: Dana D. Brooks, Professor and Dean, West Virginia UniversitySchool of Physical Education, PO Box 6116, Morgantown, WV 26506-6116. dbrooks@ mail.wvu.edu West Virginia University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Women and minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
This announcement is available in alternative format (e.g., large print, Braille, audio tape, disk) by contacting, Robin McKinney at 304-293-3295 ext. 5284 or WVU School of Physical Education, P.O. Box 6116, Morgantown, WV 26506-6116.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

CFP: 2008 Undergraduate Student Essay Competition

2007 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ESSAY IN SPORT STUDIES COMPETITION

Research Centre for Sport in Canadian Society (RCSCS)

University of Ottawa, Canada

www.rcscs.uottawa.ca/award.htm



The RCSCS takes this opportunity to launch the


2008 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ESSAY IN SPORT STUDIES COMPETITION



Description:

Each year, the Centre gives out two prizes of $400 each for the best undergraduate essays in Sport Studies. Normally, one award will be given for the best essay in French and one award for the best essay in English. The names of the winners are posted on the Centre’s web site and are communicated to the Listserv of several North American scientific societies. Their essays are made available on the Centre’s website.



The essays of approximately twenty to thirty pages in length, and they focus on an issue connected to sport in Canadian society. More precisely, the essays tackle social, managerial, economic, cultural, historical, ethical or philosophical sport issues.



Goal:



- Promote student interest for Sport Studies.

- Promote the image of Sport Studies in Canadian universities.

- Encourage undergraduate students to enroll in graduate studies in Sport Studies, most preferably in a Canadian university.



Eligibility:



The contest is primarily aimed at students registered in Canadian universities in programs such as Human Kinetics, Canadian Studies, Women’s Studies, as well as in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Students registered in non-Canadian universities are also eligible, as long as the essay is on a Canadian subject.



The paper needs to be the sole creation of the student, meaning a professor’s involvement cannot exceed that of reviewing the paper for a University course. A written confirmation to that effect may be requested form the student’s professor.



Deadline:



- Friday, May 30, 2008

- The essay should be submitted in the form of a printed copy (accompanied by an electronic version on a CD or DVD). It must be mailed on the day of the deadline at the latest, the post office stamp serving as proof.

- Winners will be chosen during the course of the summer term. The choice will be made public in September 2008.



Members of the Selection Committee:



Dr. Alex Dumas

Dr. Michael Robidoux

Dr. Lucie Thibault





PRIX ÉTUDIANT DE PREMIER CYCLE EN ÉTUDES DU SPORT 2007

Centre de recherche sur le sport dans la société canadienne (CRSSC)

Université d’Ottawa, Canada

http://www.crssc.uottawa.ca/prix.htm



Le Centre de recherche sur le sport dans la société canadienne (CRSSC) est fier d’annoncer la gagnante et le gagnant du Prix étudiant de premier cycle en Études du sport au Canada 2007

Prix du meilleur essai en langue anglaise:

Ava Baker (McMaster University). “Pedagogy of the front float: A reflection on dialogue, aquatics programming and research in Taloyoak, Nunavut”.
Prix du meilleur essai en langue française:

Sébastien Courchesne-O'Neill (UQÀM). « Le sport chez Bourdieu : éléments théoriques pour l’analyse sociologique du cas d’un boxeur québécois ».

Les deux essais sont disponibles à l’adresse http://www.crssc.uottawa.ca/prix.htm. Ces deux personnes recevront un prix en argent de 400 $.



Le CRSSC profite de cette occasion pour annoncer le



PRIX ÉTUDIANT DE PREMIER CYCLE EN ÉTUDES DU SPORT 2008



Description :



Chaque année, le centre offre deux prix de $400 chacun pour les meilleurs essais de premier cycle en études du sport. Normalement, seront alloués un prix pour le meilleur essai en français et un prix pour le meilleur essai en anglais. En outre, les noms des gagnants sont affichés sur le site web du centre et sont acheminés aux listes d’envois de diverses sociétés scientifiques nord-américaines et de la Francophonie pour diffusion. Leurs essais sont également rendus disponibles sur le site Internet du centre.



Les essais de vingt à trente pages portent sur une question relative au sport dans la société canadienne. Plus précisément, les essais portent sur les aspects sociaux, administratifs, économiques, culturels, historiques, éthiques ou philosophiques du sport.



Objectif :



- Promouvoir l’intérêt des étudiants à l’égard des études du sport

- Promouvoir l’image des études du sport dans l’université canadienne

- Inciter les étudiants de premier cycle à entreprendre des études supérieures en études du sport, de préférence dans une université canadienne.



Éligibilité :



Le concours s’adresse surtout aux étudiants inscrits dans des universités canadiennes en sciences de l’activité physique, en études canadiennes, en études des femmes, dans les disciplines des sciences sociales ou dans toute autre discipline apparentée. Les étudiants inscrits dans des universités étrangères sont aussi éligibles, dans la mesure où l’essai porte sur le Canada.



L’article doit être le fruit exclusif du travail de l’étudiant, c’est-à-dire que l’implication d’un professeur ne doit pas excéder l’équivalent de la révision d’un travail réalisé dans le cadre d’un cours universitaire.



Échéance :



- Le vendredi 30 mai 2008.

- L’essai doit soumis en version imprimée (accompagné d’une version électronique sur CD ou DVD). Il doit être mis à la poste au plus tard le jour de la date d’échéance, le sceau postal faisant foi.

- Les gagnants seront déterminés au cours de la session d’été et leurs noms seront rendus publics en septembre 2008.



Membres du comité de sélection :



Alex Dumas, PhD

Michael Robidoux, PhD

Lucie Thibault, PhD

CFP: Play: Towards a Critical Concept

The graduate students of the Department of Comparative Literature at UCI
invite submissions for its annual conference.

Play: Towards a Critical Concept

University of California, Irvine
April 3-4, 2008

Because play is undecidably split between seriousness and unseriousness,
it thus remains for us an ambiguous concept. It is often associated with
frivolity, waste, and childishness, and in this way becomes a dismissed
or marginalized concept. At the same time, however, it has also been
intimately connected with creativity, diplomacy, and the sacred. We ask
to what extent play can become a critical point of engagement in the
fields of critical theory, literary studies, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and rhetoric.

In what ways can play intersect with, intervene in, and inform the
critique of politics, culture, and society?

Possible topics include but are not limited to:

- commodification of play (uses and abuses of free time)
- play of the signifier
-child's play
-play as resistance
-leisure (leisure time, social activity)
-institutionalized play (professional sports, war games and training,
education)
- games (board games, social games, head games, games of chance, games
of the everyday)
- play and simulation (representation, legitimation, ritual, magic)
-serious play
-play and the body
-foreplay
-power plays (from coup d'etat to corporate takeover)
-play as fantasy and imagination
-play and politics/diplomacy
-play of boundaries
-rules and laws
-language games (translation, play between languages)
-animal play
-play and survival
-the history of play
-the philosophy of play
-ecology of games
-mapping play
- play as socialization (object relations, psychic and material
processes)
- toys, dolls, automata

The deadline for the submission of 250-word abstract is January 15,
2008.
Presentations are to be 20 minutes in length. Send proposals to
playatuci@gmail.com. Please include your name, email address,
institution
and phone number with the abstract.