1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the meaning of celebrity culture, its origins and impacts on sport, entertainment and contemporary society. SG 3, 7, 9, 10 (Application, Communication, Knowledge and Understanding)

2. Critically evaluate the relationships between celebrity culture and gender, race and power, particularly within sport. SG 7, 9 (Analysis, Knowledge and Understanding, Learning)

3. Critically examine the central role of the media in promoting, diffusing and perpetuating interest in sporting celebrities. SG 6, 11 (Enquiry, Knowledge and Understanding)

4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the theories purporting to explain the motivations of fans and the likely effects of 'celebrity worship' on the sports landscape. SG 4, 5 (Analysis, Knowledge and Understanding)

A multidisciplinary analysis of the rise of celebrity culture and the impact this has on sport. The module evaluates links with the consumer society, the entertainment industries and the proliferation of media of communication. The scope of the module is wide, focusing on the meaning of fandom and the impact of 'celebrity worship', the major social changes that have facilitated the rise of celebrity culture and some of the effects suggested by scholars on such diverse phenomena as race, gender and power.

There are two elements of assessment and an overall pass is achieved by the average grade. Each element of assessment does not have to be passed.

A 15 minute presentation weighted at 40%. (LO's 1 and 3)

An essay of 1500 words weighted at 60% (LO's 1, 2 and 4)

Formative assessment:
The presentation will be supported via a demonstration on Blackboard. Plus practice sessions early in the module where students can receive presentation feedback.
The essay will be formally launched and discussed in class.
Extensive guidance will be provided in assignment briefs showing marking criteria.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (36 hours)
12 x 60-minute lectures plus 24 x 60-minute seminars comprising of presentations and discussions. 12 hours Lectures will provide the basis of the learning process: they will introduce students to a body of knowledge relating to sport and celebrity culture, the corpus of multidisciplinary literature and the central issues that demand scholarly attention.

In preparation for sessions, all students will be required to prepare through reading (articles, books, ebooks, newspapers and internet sites). a detailed subject-specific reading list will guide students preparation for the sessions and for the assignments.

Guided Independent Study: (114 hours)
50 hours assessment preparation
64 hours undertaking background reading, including books, journals, current newspapers and internet in order to prepare for seminars and assignments.

Lecture theatre, seminar room, OHP, VCR, Internet access.

Haynes, R & Boyle R. (2009) Power Play: Sport, The Media and Popular Culture, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
Rojek, C. (2012) Fame Attack: The Inflation of Celebrity and its Consequences. London: Bloomsbury
Turner, G. (2004) Understanding Celebrity. London: Sage.