During this course, students will examine the history of the United States and how sports have reflected, influenced, and mirrored the nations' culture, traditions and important events. 
The United States has had a unique and varied relationship with its sports since colonial times. Each session of my course will have self-contained theme connecting sports and American history.

Session One:     Early America-Agricultural Society, Lacrosse, horse racing and sports of the leisure class.
Session Two:     The Civil War and Western Expansion-Rodeo, baseball and circuses
Session Three:   Immigration, boxing and baseball.
Session Four:    The Industrial Revolution, radio, football and baseball
Session Five:     Sports and War
Session Six:       The Television Age: Football, Wrestling and Roller Derby
Session Seven:  The Cold War, the American Sports System and the Olympics. 
Session Eight:    Bread and Circuses: How modern American Sports parallels Ancient Roman Games
Session Nine:     Basketball and Globalization
Session Ten:       Sports in Today's America

I will use a combination of lecture, discussion, historical photographs and films to teach the impact of sports on America and the impact of America on sports.