Life of the Mind Series
Dedicating 2010 to Sports, Culture  & Context

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We are dedicating the year to the significant role that sports play in creating individual and cultural identity.

With the World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 Olympic Games in London serving as a backdrop, we’ll examine the economic and political effects of hosting a large, international sporting event as well as the development and impact of regional and national identities, the commercialism, the hero-creation, and the unifying and polarizing dichotomous effects of team.

Highlighted Experiences

We’ll highlight unique, cultural games and the importance they have to one’s identity. Click on the countries below to find out more!

• Australia

  • January Term Program: The Power of Australian Summer: Integrating Sport, Culture & Society

    Learn about sport and its significance in Australian culture! Lectures, guest speakers, field trips and activities which focus on a range of sporting/recreation pursuits from professional elite sports to informal community events. Students travel and study in three major Australian cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Experience the Australian bush firsthand on the three day field trip.
    
    Learn More | Contact Program Manager
• Great Britain

  • Sports, Culture and Context Activities

    Students may participate in a tour of the Olympic Facilities, attend a football match in Liverpool, and join staff for an adventure weekend in Wales.
    
    Learn More | Contact Program Manager
• Greece

  • Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week in October

    
    Arcadia Center in Athens will cooperate with, and support the organizers of, this year's Action Week match.The event involves a football match involving several professional players and young people.
    
    Learn More | Contact Program Manager 
    
    
• Ireland

  • Sport in Ireland

    Activities will feature a focus on Irish field sports and issues of identity. Students can also focus on traditional and modern Irish sports at the University of Limerick.
    
    Learn More | Contact Program Manager 
• Italy

  • Discovering Nature in the National Park of Pollino

    Students will join Arcadia staff on a wilderness event in the Basilicata Region, exploring the Appenines, its ancient traditions and its terrain. Students will develop orienteering skills, enjoy local cuisine and traditional music, and take part in sports such as climbing, rafting and hiking.

    Learn More | Contact Program Manager 
• New Zealand

  • National Soccer Star to Meet with Arcadia Students

    Our New Zealand staff have arranged for soccer star Tim Brown, player for the Phoenix, the NZ All Whites, and the New Zealand National Team, to meet with students. The event will be an informal chat where students will have the chance to ask questions about Mr. Brown’s career as a professional soccer player, and events leading to to the World Cup in South Africa.

    Learn More | Contact Program Manager 
• Scotland

  • Rugby and More!

    Sports, Culture and Context event in Stirling, 12 – 13 November.
    Finishing with the Scotland v. New Zealand rugby game in Edinburgh!
     

    Contact Program Manager 
• Spain

  • New Course! BARC ISCS 310: Sports, Culture and Society in Europe: The Case of Spain

    This three-credit course will adopt a hands-on approach according to which theoretical, instructor-led sessions will be complemented by case studies, open debates, field trips, guest speakers and constant cross-referencing between Europe and the US. 

    Learn More | Contact Program Manager 

 Other 2010 Tentative Events Worldwide

• Recommended  Media—books and films
• Pre-departure emphasis on sport
• Introduction to unique in-country sports
• Quick Glance Guide to the FIFA World Cup in South Africa—rules, teams, tournament
• UK football—the teams and their locale
• NZ hosting Rugby World Cup 2011
• Co-Curricular Programming, Events, and Connections within the community