Sport and Management - BA (Hons)

Abertay University

This module builds on your existing knowledge of human resource management and deepens your understanding of HRM theory and practice. You will explore how HRM principles are applied in contemporary organisations, examining both strategic and operational perspectives, and develop the skills to critically evaluate HRM approaches in real'world contexts. Indicative content - Introduction to HRM : Theoretical perspectives to HRM; practical approaches to HRM. - Context and HRM: National, international, occupational, organisational and individual contexts of HRM in theory and in practice. - Strategic HRM: I ntroduction to strategic human resource management; ‘best fit’ and ‘best practice’ approaches. - HRM, work and wellbeing: Fair work; dignity at work; mental health and stress at work; the benefits and challenges of flexibility. - HRM, equality and diversity: Inequalities in the labour market and in the workplace; managing diverse workforce. - Managing conflict in the workplace : Conflict in the employment relationship; misbehaviour, discipline and grievance procedures; bullying and harassment; disputes. - Contemporary HRM trends and future challenges: Continuity and change in work and employment; gig economy; (ir)responsible HRM.

Explore the key concepts of sport and exercise psychology and how they apply to real-world settings. You’ll examine how thoughts, emotions and behaviours influence performance, participation and wellbeing in sport and exercise. You’ll also look at how personal and social factors shape, and are shaped by, people’s involvement in physical activity. Indicative content - Definition of the field of sport and exercise psychology - Fundamentals of sport and exercise psychology - Individual factors: The role of personality in sport; models of achievement motivation and competitiveness; motivational climates; stress, arousal, anxiety and other emotional processes. - Group processes: Group and team dynamics, group cohesion, communication, leadership. - An introduction to psychological skills

This module will give you the opportunity to lead, develop and/or support the delivery of physical activity sessions to school pupils in Dundee. You'll also have an opportunity to engage with a range of employers from the Sport and Fitness industry to gain insight into the requirements of particular roles. These experiences should enable you to develop a career plan for future employment. Indicative content - Planning and delivering activity sessions: Session planning; managing time/resources/people; working within a team; Active Schools/Positive Coaching Scotland training; physical literacy and the development of this in children, managing challenging behaviour; developing diversity competence; Growth Mindset; contemporary issues in the sport and fitness industry. - Personal Development Planning (PDP): Completing SWOT analyses; personal objective/goal setting; action planning; electronic PDPs. - Reflective practice: Application of models of reflective practice; guided reflection to highlight learning; making theory− practice links; career planning. - Articulating skill development: Using electronic platforms and oral media to promote knowledge and skills to external audiences in the context of employability; careers/external speaker workshops.

Explore how physical activity supports health and wellbeing across different populations. You’ll examine patterns and trends in physical activity and learn how to evaluate the evidence linking movement to physical and mental health. You’ll be introduced to the principles of exercise programme design and begin developing the skills to plan safe, effective and tailored interventions. You’ll also study behaviour change and motivation, learning how to help others start and sustain active lifestyles. Indicative content - The fundamental concepts and public health principles related to physical activity and health: 'Introduction to physical activity and public health - The role and importance of physical activity for health and wellbeing: Introduction to, and understanding the nature and quality of, evidence of how physical activity can impact both physical and mental health. - The introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles of exercise programme design: These include varying exercise modalities and their benefits for the maintenance of general health and wellbeing.

Please note: If you are a Direct Entrant (new student) to this year of study and have not previously taken module ABE101, then you MUST take ABE201 as your Term 2 microcredential module. If you have previously taken ABE101, then you are NOT permitted to take ABE201 in Term 2. Starting university brings new opportunities and challenges, and every student’s journey is different. This microcredential helps you settle into life at Abertay and build the habits that lead to success. You’ll hear from current students sharing their own tips, and reflect on the areas you most want to develop. You’ll get to know Abertay’s systems, explore what makes a successful student and practise core skills such as time management, referencing, academic writing style and using support services. By the end, you’ll have the tools and strategies you need to thrive at university. Indicative content - Navigating Abertay Systems: Get to know the key systems you’ll use at Abertay—such as MyLearningSpace, MS Teams, OASIS and MyAbertay—and learn how to use them effectively. - Expectations of University and You: Explore what’s expected of you as a student and what you can expect from the university. Topics include the code of conduct, independent and blended learning, how courses are structured, health and safety, and the Abertay attributes. - Abertay Discovery Tool: Complete the Discovery Tool to identify your strengths and areas for development across five themes: studying at university, academic skills, digital skills, careers and employability, and wellbeing. - Fundamentals of University: Learn how modules work, how assessments are set, and how to use assignment briefs and feedback to improve your work. - Understanding, Searching and Evaluating Information: Develop strategies for finding and assessing reliable information, building your confidence in research and study skills. - Successful Student Behaviours: Practise the habits that help you succeed: managing time, avoiding procrastination, effective note-taking, preparing for classes, developing a growth mindset, and making use of student support services. - Referencing: Understand academic integrity and why referencing matters. Learn how to avoid plagiarism, create in-text citations and reference lists, and use digital tools to manage your sources. - Sounding Academic: Discover what lecturers mean by “academic style” and how to use the right language in your writing. Learn the rules of academic writing, how to paraphrase effectively, and how expectations differ between school/college and university. You’ll also explore how assessments, marking and feedback work.

This module examines the financial imperatives involved in managing events and festivals, equipping you with the knowledge to plan and evaluate their economic viability. Alongside financial considerations, you will explore the wider social, cultural and economic impacts of festivals and events on host communities, developing a critical understanding of their role in both local and global contexts. Indicative content - Introduction: The Theoretical Background: Explore the basic concepts, ideas and principles of festivals, events and communities, including the Forces'Stressors'State'Impact'Response (FPSIR) model. - Types of Events: Examine the spectrum of events from local community gatherings to mega events and online formats. - Impact of Events: Analyse the nature of event impacts and assessment methods, covering economic, social, environmental, tourism, political and psychological dimensions. - Future of Events: Consider industry perceptions of the future of events, exploring emerging trends, issues and innovations such as live streaming. - Stakeholders: Apply stakeholder theory and Corporate Social Responsibility theory to understand the roles and responsibilities of event stakeholders. - Sources of Funding: Identify potential funding sources, policies and application processes, and learn how to demonstrate value to sponsors. - Budgeting and Breakeven: Understand different types of costs, prepare simple budgets, analyse complex budgets and conduct break'even analysis. - Controlling Finances: Apply financial control mechanisms before, during and after events to ensure accountability and sustainability.

In this module, you will gain an overview of successful event management, exploring the key phases from concept through to closeout. You will examine the current state of the events industry, the impact of technology, and the importance of stakeholder participation. You will also develop practical skills in digital presentation, event entrepreneurship, coordination of suppliers and staff, budget control, legislation and risk management. Working collaboratively, you will create communication plans for stakeholders, critically analyse recent events, and deliver a digitally presented end product. Indicative content: - Event Management as an Industry: Examine the current economic position of the events sector, recent developments, and the impact of technology on industry practices. Explore different types of events and the 5 ‘C’s of event management. - Digital Presentation: Develop skills in creating and facilitating online meetings (e.g. Microsoft Teams) and using digital tools such as Moovly, Prezi and video to present information effectively. - Concept: Understand event entrepreneurship by addressing the who, what, where, when and why of an event. Learn to define themes and branding, identify and reach target audiences, and consider how audience needs influence venue choice and expectations. - Coordination: Plan and schedule event activities, source and manage suppliers, recruit and train staff, and engage with stakeholder groups to ensure smooth operations. - Control: Ensure compliance with legislation and regulatory frameworks, including contracts, health and safety, and employment law. Manage budgets effectively, account for costs, obtain quotes, and explore sponsorship and revenue opportunities. - Culmination: Oversee final preparations for event opening, manage crowd movement and control, and implement contingency plans. - Closeout: Review event outcomes, reflect on successes and challenges, and identify lessons learned for future practice.

In this module, you’ll explore the key contemporary issues shaping sport and exercise today, with a focus on the challenges you’re most likely to face in your future career. You’ll develop the knowledge and confidence to understand these issues and learn how to navigate them effectively in professional practice. Indicative Content - Social Theory: You’ll be introduced to key aspects of social theory and discover how they can be applied to explain different behaviours, trends and issues in sport and exercise. This will give you the tools to think critically about the wider role of sport in society. - Inequality and Discrimination: You’ll explore the main sources of inequality and discrimination in sport and exercise, including those linked to gender, social class, ethnicity and LGBTQIA+ identities. You’ll examine real-world examples and consider how these issues affect participation, performance and opportunities in sport. - Sport and Politics: You’ll investigate how political systems, ideologies and governing bodies use sport and athletes as a means of influence and social control. This will help you understand the powerful relationship between sport, politics and society on both a national and global scale. - Ethics and Sport: You’ll learn about the moral and ethical issues that arise in sport and exercise, such as child protection and safeguarding. You’ll also consider how the unique culture of sport creates challenges and responsibilities for those involved in coaching, management and participation.

In this module, you’ll develop your understanding of research in sport, exercise, physical activity and health. You’ll learn how to critically engage with published studies and gain the skills to design and plan your own research project, preparing you to investigate real-world questions in your chosen field. Indicative Content - The Research Process: You’ll be introduced to the full research journey, from planning through to carrying out a study. By engaging with each stage, you’ll gain a clear understanding of how research is designed, managed and delivered. - Formulating and Refining Research Questions: You’ll learn how research ideas are generated and developed into clear, focused questions. This will help you refine your own ideas into questions that can be explored through research. - Research Methodologies: You’ll explore a range of research approaches — including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods — and develop an appreciation of how different methodologies can be applied to sport, exercise, physical activity and health. - Ethical Issues: You’ll build an awareness of the key ethical considerations involved in research, such as protecting participants and ensuring integrity, and learn how these principles guide good research practice. - Practical Skill Development: You’ll have the chance to develop hands-on research skills within your chosen discipline area, giving you the confidence to apply what you’ve learned in real-world research projects.

In this module, you’ll gain a critical overview of sport development and build the knowledge and expertise needed to design and deliver effective programmes. You’ll explore how sport development is shaped by current policies and strategies, and learn how to apply this understanding to create initiatives that make a real impact. Indicative Content - Sport Development: You’ll explore the different ways sport development can be understood, from elite performance pathways to sport for its own sake, and sport as a tool for wider social change. You’ll review real examples of sport development programmes, including those aimed at improving health, tackling inequalities, addressing unemployment and supporting talent development. - Sport Policy: You’ll gain a critical understanding of both historical and current sport policies that shape how sport is developed in the UK and internationally. You’ll also examine how these policies are put into practice and the impact they have on sport development in different contexts. - Organisations in Sport: You’ll take a closer look at how sport is structured and organised in the UK, with a focus on the role of power, influence and partnerships. This will help you understand how organisations work together to deliver sport at community, national and international levels. - Creating Sport Development Programmes: You’ll have the chance to design your own sport development programmes, applying your knowledge of strategic management, monitoring and evaluation, and funding. This practical element will help you develop the skills to create programmes that are both effective and sustainable.

You'll combine theory and practice to examine organisational change and transformation in times of uncertainty. Indicative content - Analysing change contexts and drivers: The change context: globalisation, technology, and changing market dynamics; change management and sustainability. - Theories of change and approaches to change management: Models of change and change management; transformational change and organisations; Critical discourse in change management. - Human resources issues in change management: Participative change; managing psychological contracts, social identity, stakeholder dynamics; voice, dialogue and rethinking resistances in change; Culture, habits and unlearning. - Change in context: (this will change each year and will form the basis of the guest lectures). - Leading and managing change: Transactional and transformational leadership; values and value-based systems in transformational change.

Sport is all about people—whether you’re playing, coaching, volunteering, or working behind the scenes. But recent reviews, such as the Sport Duty of Care Review, have raised important questions about whether wellbeing and welfare are truly being prioritised in sport. In this module, you’ll explore contemporary issues around welfare and wellbeing, giving you the chance to critically examine how sport can better support and protect those involved at every level. Indicative Content - Safeguarding: You’ll explore how sport can strengthen its role in protecting both young people and adults at every level, and consider what more can be done to ensure safe and supportive environments. - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: You’ll examine key aspects of duty of care in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion, and reflect on how sport can become more accessible and fair for everyone involved. - Injuries: You’ll learn how the risk of injury in sport can be reduced and look at ways to improve how injuries are managed, both immediately and in the longer term, to support athlete wellbeing. - Career Transitions: You’ll study the support available to people as they move through the sporting system, including the challenges of entering and leaving top-level sport, and how these transitions can be better managed. - Mental Health: You’ll investigate issues around the prevention, identification and management of mental health challenges in sport, and consider how athletes can be supported to maintain positive wellbeing. - Education: You’ll explore how sportspeople can be supported to balance their education alongside their sporting commitments, and why this balance is vital for long-term success. - Representation of the Participant’s Voice: You’ll examine how the voices of sportspeople are heard in decisions that affect them, and why involving participants in shaping sport is essential for fairness and progress.

You'll work in small groups to plan, arrange and manage a live event. Although delivery of the learning for this module takes place in Term 1 it is expected that the event will be scheduled during Term 2 and therefore assessment will be delayed until that point. Indicative Content - Concept development: Develop the concept for the event and determine the project schedule. - Identifying resources: Identify physical, digital, human and budgetary resources for the project and when they will be made available and needed. Determine how you'll raise funds for the event from sponsors and generate the necessary promotional materials. - Stakeholders: Identify the stakeholders in the event and any partners in the delivery. Analyse their requirements and create a communications plan. Use communication and negotiation skills in a professional manner. Consider how you'll promote your event to your customer group, create an appropriate plan and implement. - Health and Safety: Determine the health and safety requirements for the event. Create a H&S risk plan and mitigation strategy to reduce risk. - Digital streaming: Identify and practice the skills necessary to record and stream either the whole event or a proportion of the event. Negotiate with IS professionals within any stakeholder groups to ensure success of the streaming and the placement of recording. - Pre and On-day organisation: Develop a clear plan for administering the event on the day eg is booking required and how will this be done. On-day requirements such as signage, badges, participant lists, ticketing should be prepared.

This module gives you the opportunity to carry out your own independent research project. You’ll choose a subject area that reflects your degree pathway, allowing you to explore a topic that interests you while developing valuable research and project management skills. Indicative Content - Research Project Topics: You’ll choose your own research project topic in consultation with staff, ensuring it reflects your degree pathway and interests. Each student will be allocated a supervisory tutor within the Division to provide guidance and support throughout the process. - Supervisory Sessions: Through regular supervisory sessions, you’ll be guided step by step: from identifying a clear research question and designing your study, to selecting appropriate research methods and statistical analyses. You’ll also learn how to structure and write your research report, interpret your findings, and draw meaningful conclusions. These sessions are designed to help you develop independence while giving you the support you need to succeed.

In this module, you’ll explore how sport can be used as a powerful tool to tackle social issues. You’ll also look at some of the challenges that come with this approach and how they can be overcome. By the end, you’ll have both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to apply sport in meaningful ways within sport development work. Indicative Content - Community Development: You’ll be introduced to a community development approach to sport delivery, exploring how sport can be used to strengthen communities and create positive change. - Community Practice: You’ll learn about the community practice approach to sporting provision, gaining insight into how sport can be organised and delivered to meet the needs of different groups. - Sport for Development and Peace: You’ll explore how sport is used as a tool for international development, considering its role in promoting peace, inclusion, and social progress across the globe. - Sport, Globalisation and Development: You’ll examine how recent social changes and global trends affect sport and development, and what this means for the way sport is delivered and experienced worldwide. - Liberating Education and Critical Consciousness: You’ll develop an understanding of liberating education and how it can be applied to sport development work, encouraging critical thinking and empowerment through sport. - The Politics of Development: You’ll explore the political nature of development work, including the role of social movements and how they can be used to drive meaningful change through sport.