Hosted by two Rockford College professors and featuring guest speakers from five universities, the first Sports Studies Symposium at Rockford College brings together a panel of scholars to discuss philosophical themes or issues arising in the study of sport and to discuss themes or issues arising in the study of the rhetoric of sport, including “Tebowmania” and the recent Penn State Scandal.
The symposium is free and open to the public and takes place on Saturday, April 28 in Grace Roper Lounge, located on the first floor of the Blanch Walker Burpee Center, Rockford College, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.
The morning panel, held from 10 -11:30 a.m., will focus on sports ethics and the philosophy of sport and will be hosted by Rockford College Assistant Professor of Philosophy Shawn Klein, Ph.D. The afternoon panel, held from 12:30 -2 p.m., will focus on the rhetoric of sport and will be hosted by Rockford College Assistant Professor of English Michael Perry, Ph.D. Both professors have done research on the study of sport and are avid sports enthusiasts themselves.
Here’s a bit more about a few of the topics that will be presented:
On the Suárez Handball: When, if ever, is it appropriate to violate the rules of a game? Can a soccer player use an illegal handball to prevent a certain goal and loss?
On what running could be: Oscar Pistorius, the fastest man on no legs, is a double-amputee who regularly competes with abled-bodied runners and is close to qualifying for the London Summer Olympics. But if Oscar has no legs, is what he is doing really running?
Virtuous Victory: Is running up the score in a sports context always wrong?
You can read more about the Sports Studies Symposium: an Interdisciplinary Conference on the Study of Sport on Rockford College’s website.
