course syllabus

Final Exam Questions:

Choose one of the first two and answer the last (roughly 11/2 pages per answer).

Question 1 (if not 2): To what extent do racial differences play themselves out in competitive sport? Is research into such differences philosophically or culturally justifiable or is it a matter of engendering racial prejudices? 

Question 2 (if not 1): Should women try to integrate themselves in male-designed sports or should they try to bring something new to competitive sport? Explore fully the philosophical implications of each option in your answer. 

Question 3 (non-optional): Critically evaluate Suits' definition of "game-playing". Does it seem to capture what we normally mean by playing a game?

The ol' man, in younger, less lean days, popping up 450 in the bench.                More recently, carrying 200 lbs. for over one lap around the track (over 1/4 mile)

TEAMS

TEAM A: "Master Debaters" (5)

Captain: Tony Giuffrida

Players: Nicholas Lutz, Chris Mayerski, Mike Reyes, Matt Stephens

TEAM B: "Shamrocks" (5)

Captain: Mari Gabriel

Players: Alissa Lindner, Matt Pisarcik, Ashley Yob, Tim Partridge

TEAM C: "Flying Monkeys" (5)

Captain: Amanda Gruszewski

Players: Kathy Bennie, Mike McAndrew, Keith Rhinehammer, Kyle Yorke

TEAM D: "Team Ramrod" (4)

Captain: Bill Rummel

Players: Geof Miller, Mike Pasco, Eric Wetzel

TEAM E: "Too Easy" (5)

Captain: Rocky D'Aconti

Players: Matt Mauro, Amanda Tilley, Jena Warzecha, Tony Fortunato

REGULAR-SEASON GAMES

Jan. 24: Game 1 (A vs. C): Critically discuss the various efforts aimed at defining sport. What precisely is at stake here?

Jan. 31: Game 2 (B vs. D): Critically discuss the two theses of the aesthetic described by Kaelin and Best. Which is preferable and why?

Feb. 7: Game 3 (C vs. E): Critically discuss Arnold’s three approaches to sportsmanship. Which is preferable? Does Simon’s approach fit in or does he offer a fourth approach?

Feb. 14: Game 4 (D vs. A): What is the place of winning in formal athletic contests? Draw critically from the two readings.

Feb. 21: Game 5 (E vs. B): Why is violence such an acceptable part of athletic competitions? Ought it to be?

Feb. 28: Game 6 (C vs. B): Ought performance-enhancing drugs be allowed in formal athletic competitions? Address Brown’s liberalist defense and Holowchak’s reply.

Mar. 13: Game 7 (E vs. D): Is the human admiration of athletes as heroes fascistoid? Follow questions 1 and 2 (p. 370) in your answer and examine both destructive and constructive phases of Tamburrini’s argument as a reply to Tannsjo’s thesis.

Mar. 20: Game 8 (A vs. E): To what extent should allowances be made for physical differences in women and men in their respective sports?

Mar. 27: Game 9 (D vs. C): Critically assess Burfoot’s defense of “racial” differences in sports and Mosley’s reply to Burfoot and other like-minded thinkers.

Apr. 3: Game 10 (B vs. A): To what extent can and ought sport to be used as a vehicle to engender moral and cultural reforms?

THE PLAYOFFS

Apr. 10: Game 11 (Seed 3 vs. Seed 4): Critically discuss Suits’ notion of game-playing through analysis of his many justifications and illustrations from sections 4 through 8.

Apr. 17: Game 12 (Seed 2 vs. Seed 5): Critically discuss Suits’ notion of game-playing through analysis of his many justifications and illustrations from sections 9 through 13.

Apr. 24: Game 13 (Winner of G 11 vs. Winner of G 12): Critically assess Suits’ vision as game-playing as human utopia. Discuss the book from a larger metaphysical perspective.

THE COLONEL'S CUP

Apr. 20: Game 14 (Winner of G 13 vs. Seed 1): To what extent has Hales shown that there is littel to being in the zone in athletic competitions?