Esports and Gaming Administration

INTRODUCTION TO ESPORTS MANAGEMENT ~ Between 2018 and 2019, the number of jobs in esports nearly doubled – growing a staggering 185%. In addition, there are numerous business jobs elsewhere in the games industry, including roles in distribution, research, sales, and marketing. The explosive growth in esports – and the attendant growth within the games industry which it has field – has created a demand for business professionals with a solid understanding of the nuances of the industry. This course provides students with an understanding of the complexities specific to managing esports teams and leagues.

INTRODUCTION TO GAMES ~ Of all the new media forms that have emerged since digital technologies have become ubiquitous in our social and cultural environment, videogames could be described as the form that is most fundamentally “native” to the computer. As a form of entertainment, they have introduced new relationships between audiences/players and the media with which they interact, and present unique challenges to producers, critics and the public at large. There are two broad goals for this course. The first is to provide an overview of digital games as a cultural form. This involves a historical account of their emergence in the mid-twentieth century, an enquiry into theories of play and their relationship to culture, the origins and evolution of game genres, and the changing nature of game-development and the game industry to the present day. The second is to learn contextual and formal methods for the analysis of digital games and gameplay. The coursework involves a number of activities: reading key texts and textbooks relevant to the topic, participating in small-group discussion exercises, occasional quizzes based on reading material, group and individual game history and analysis presentations, and finally a mock-pitch for an original game design. No programming or game design experience is required for this course.

CONVENTION, EVENT, AND TRADE SHOW PLANNING ~ One of the major ways in which games are marketed to consumers is the convention. Shows like the Tokyo Game Show, PAX and E3 attract audiences ranging from 60,000 - 300,000 and serve as one of the best opportunities for game studios to generate excitement and favorable word-of-mouth for upcoming projects. Successfully executing a company presence at one of these shows requires a working understanding of budgeting, goal-setting, demo creation, logistics, staffing, merchandising, and ROI evaluation, all topics covered in this course.

Prerequisite: ESPT 10500

DISTRIBUTION OF GAMES:THE ROLE OF THE PUBLISHER ~ The role of a publisher in the games industry is to ensure that a game can get in front of its audience successfully. To do that, a publisher must consider a variety of distribution strategies and channels. This course explains the role of a publisher in game distribution and details the various channels by which a game can be distributed.

Prerequisite: ESPT 10500 and MKTG 15500

INTRODUCTION TO SPORT MANAGEMENT ~ This course serves as an introduction to the field of sport management, offering a diversity of information pertaining to essential topics in the field of sport administration, including management and marketing principles, amateur and professional sport industry, international sport, facility and event management, sport broadcasting, and career preparation.

FACILITY AND EVENT MANAGEMENT IN SPORT ~ Principles and techniques of planning, operating and managing sport facilities and events. This course will emphasize the principles and concepts of organization and administration including communication, personnel management, management of physical resources, and risk management. This course will examine a variety of sport operations such as indoor stadiums, athletic field complexes, and managing recreation and intramural activities.

PRINCIPLES OF COACHING AND LEADERSHIP ~ This course is designed for those students preparing to enter a coaching career or be involved in the management and organization of an athletic program. Students will learn guidelines and principles for organizing a successful athletic program. Topics include, but are not limited to developing a coaching philosophy, evaluating theories in motivation, understanding team dynamics, communicating effectively, and improving player performance. This course will also emphasize an awareness of the demands of the coaching profession and explore issues and ethical considerations significant to coaching.

SEMINAR ~

INDEPENDENT STUDY ~ Open to all sport management majors with the consent of the instructor. It affords sport management majors the opportunity to design their own course of study in an area that is not currently taught. The independent study normally requires the students to write a research paper.

HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SPORT IN THE U.S. ~ This course covers the history of sport and physical activity in the United States (1776–present) to understand the field in a broader context. Students will learn how past events and issues influence current beliefs and behaviors as well as common themes permeating throughout sport history (e.g., social and political activism). The philosophy unit of the course will cover philosophical approaches to the practice of physical activity. Students will learn how one’s philosophy guides thoughts, emotions, and behaviors about relevant issues such as physical activity lifestyles and career choices.

SPORT IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY:UD ~ Sports are an integral part of social life in the U.S. with millions of people growing up playing sports and/or spending countless hours watching them. In many ways, the world of sports is an arena through which we can understand more about our society’s dynamics, values, and problems. This three-week course explores the intersections between sport and topics such as race, ethnicity, gender, social class, sexuality, and physical ability. Students will examine population subgroups in their historical context and how those groups have evolved over the years and how they have fared in society. The course will examine these groups from a sociological and legislative standpoint.

Core: Understanding Diversity Home

SPORT ETHICS & LAW:ES ~ This course provides an extensive overview of legal principles and ethical issues in sport. The different fields of law and issues (Federal Amendment, torts, contracts, labor relations) as they relate to sport will also be introduced. In addition, the basic philosophical issues concerning ethics and moral reasoning and how these issues relate to sport will be examined. Furthermore, this course is designed to help future sport administrators develop an ethical decision-making process. Potential topics may include concepts of morality, personal philosophy regarding social responsibility, theories of ethics, professional code of ethics, etc. Course restricted to sophomore level and above.

Prerequisite: SPMT 10100

Core: Meaning/Ethics/Soc Responsibil

SEMINAR ~ Includes various topics or upper-level specialty courses.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN SPORT ~ This course is designed to provide students with an overview of significant issues surrounding the world of sport in today’s society. This course is designed to enhance student’s comprehension of sport, its place on society, and possible changes it may need in order to maintain a positive future. Arguments for and against the inclusion of sport in our social institutions will be made. Relevant legal issues will also be addressed.

SENIOR SEMINAR ~ This course is the second piece of the capstone experience for the sport management major, and will provide students with the necessary information to integrate their specific area of concentration and internship or research experience into a portfolio and oral presentation as the culmination of the sport management program. The purpose of this course is to allow students to demonstrate achievement in competency areas and to engage in self-reflection and self-evaluation.

Prerequisite: SPMT 48100 (may be taken concurrently) or SPMT 49800 (may be taken concurrently)

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ~ The course is open to sport management majors with junior standing or above with the consent of the department. This affords junior and senior sport management majors the opportunity to design their own course of study in an area that is not currently taught. The independent research course would normally require the student to write a research paper.

INTERNSHIP ~ For a complete description of this program students should consult with a member of the sport management faculty.

ADVANCED COACHING AND LEADERSHIP ~ This course is designed for those students preparing to enter a coaching career or be involved in the management and organization of an athletic program. Students will learn guidelines and principles for organizing a successful athletic program. Topics include, but are not limited to developing a coaching philosophy, evaluating theories in motivation, understanding team dynamics, communicating effectively, and improving player performance. This course will also emphasize an awareness of the demands of the coaching profession and explore issues and ethical considerations significant to coaching.