The Scandinavian Sport Model – Past, Present and Future

About

Scandinavian sport is characterized by its embeddedness in civil society associations and reliance on voluntarism. Historically, other sectors of society such as the educational system and the for-profit market have played secondary roles. Furthermore, within the population of Scandinavian societies a relative high number engage regularly in sport and physical exercise activities. However, this picture is about to change as commercial providers gradually expand, new political interests are articulated, and some socio-economic groups are less inclined towards sport and physical activity. Furthermore, despite a shared history related to a Scandinavian welfare state model political and organizational differences and similarities regarding the role of sport in Sweden, Denmark and Norway exist.

Therefore, this course introduces the historical development of organized sport and exercise in Scandinavia. It illustrates and debates the current state and organization of sport and exercise, and exposes future tendencies, development potentials as well as constraints for the Scandinavian sport model. Simultaneously, this knowledge will be compared to national contexts beyond Scandinavia

Course leader

Ulrik Wagner

Target group

Master

Course aim

Knowledge:

The student gains research based knowledge about the historical background of the organization of Scandinavian sports. The student can demonstrate knowledge regarding the current state of sport and exercise in Scandinavia, and achieves insights into future challenges, potentials and constraints facing sport and exercise in Scandinavia for instance by looking at the roles of the educational system and the commercial market.

Skills:

The student will be able to use skills based on research based literature to identify and analyze historical and political backgrounds of Scandinavian sports. The student is able to systematically compare the past, present and future organization of Scandinavian sport and exercise, thereby generating insights into future challenges and possibilities of the Scandinavian model.

Compentencies:

Based on obtained knowledge and skills the students will be able to gain competencies to critically reflect on the past, present and future role of Scandinavian sport. Hereby the student will have the competency to develop a deeper understanding and relate this to other national settings beyond a Scandinavian context

Fee info