Sports and Literature
This course is an exploration of literary representations of sports and of sports as a physical depiction of literature. Storytelling and competition are uniquely tied together as acts in which humans attempt to express our nature, strive for improvement, and seek proper ways of behaving. Sports and literature are expressions of morality—they teach us how to live. And this course will examine both historical and fictional stories to seek ultimate truths and lessons for life.
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Lesson 1: Introduction
Narratives are so powerful, in literature and in sports, that they can change your life. Let’s start learning how. Welcome to the course!
Narratives are so powerful, in literature and in sports, that they can change your life. Let’s start learning how. Welcome to the course!
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Lesson 2: Meaning and Structure of Sports and Stories
We are all living narratives, so it’s important that we choose the best story for our lives. Sports can help us do that!
We are all living narratives, so it’s important that we choose the best story for our lives. Sports can help us do that!
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Lesson 3: How Sports Shape Us
Who influences us? Why do we look up to certain people? What are lessons we learn early in life that stay with us as we age?
Who influences us? Why do we look up to certain people? What are lessons we learn early in life that stay with us as we age?
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Lesson 4: The Hero's Journey
The structures of our most beloved stories are older than language itself. Let’s explore the ancient formula that turns athletes and literary characters into heroes that we never forget.
The structures of our most beloved stories are older than language itself. Let’s explore the ancient formula that turns athletes and literary characters into heroes that we never forget.
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Lesson 5: Bildungsroman and the Tragic Hero
We all start out as children and must find a path for our lives. Sometimes we make good choices and have positive influences; sometimes our lives can become a form of tragedy. This module is about trying to pursue the former and avoid the latter throughout the story of our life.
We all start out as children and must find a path for our lives. Sometimes we make good choices and have positive influences; sometimes our lives can become a form of tragedy. This module is about trying to pursue the former and avoid the latter throughout the story of our life.
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Lesson 6: The Warrior Archetype
We need tough and brave people for civilization to be protected and advanced. However, how far should aggression and duty go? The archetype of the warrior has a lot to teach us.
We need tough and brave people for civilization to be protected and advanced. However, how far should aggression and duty go? The archetype of the warrior has a lot to teach us.
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Lesson 7: The Warrior, continued
There are lots of different challenges in life, and they will require a lot from you. What are you willing to go through to defend your values and achieve your goals?
There are lots of different challenges in life, and they will require a lot from you. What are you willing to go through to defend your values and achieve your goals?
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Lesson 8: Pushing the Limits
The greatest athletes push themselves to accomplish amazing feats. But what if such goals are dangerous to themselves or others? What is the price of excellence?
The greatest athletes push themselves to accomplish amazing feats. But what if such goals are dangerous to themselves or others? What is the price of excellence?
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Lesson 9: Finishing the Race
Achieving the ultimate goal means pushing yourself all the way to the end. And what we find at the finish line should go beyond awards and fame. What is at the end of the hero’s journey?
Achieving the ultimate goal means pushing yourself all the way to the end. And what we find at the finish line should go beyond awards and fame. What is at the end of the hero’s journey?
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Lesson 10: The Lover Archetype
We can love in a variety of ways: toward family, friends, teammates, or our Creator. Use the materials in this module to consider how you might be able to demonstrate a more loving spirit toward others.
We can love in a variety of ways: toward family, friends, teammates, or our Creator. Use the materials in this module to consider how you might be able to demonstrate a more loving spirit toward others.
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Lesson 11: Punishment and Forgiveness
It’s never too late to apologize or to forgive. Whatever has been done, the world can be made right once again. We just need to ask.
It’s never too late to apologize or to forgive. Whatever has been done, the world can be made right once again. We just need to ask.
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Lesson 12: The Magician Archetype
Some people seem to have a special knowledge about the world. How can we harness that unique insight to help us on our heroic journey?
Some people seem to have a special knowledge about the world. How can we harness that unique insight to help us on our heroic journey?
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Lesson 13: The King Archetype
We need leaders who are worthy of our respect. What is it about some figures that we are naturally drawn to, and we want to follow them? And how is that trust earned?
We need leaders who are worthy of our respect. What is it about some figures that we are naturally drawn to, and we want to follow them? And how is that trust earned?
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Lesson 14: The Art of Losing
Losing is a normal part of life. In fact, we often lose more than we win. It’s what we do while and after losing that matters the most.
Losing is a normal part of life. In fact, we often lose more than we win. It’s what we do while and after losing that matters the most.
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Lesson 15: Rivalries
Why are fans so passionate in supporting their teams? Why do we bond with strangers over silly games? The answer is found deep in our biology.
Why are fans so passionate in supporting their teams? Why do we bond with strangers over silly games? The answer is found deep in our biology.
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Lesson 16: Resurrection
We all face dark times in our lives, but there is always a light at the end of those tunnels. We just have to be willing to see it and move towards it.
We all face dark times in our lives, but there is always a light at the end of those tunnels. We just have to be willing to see it and move towards it.
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Lesson 17: In the Ring
There are lots of things in life worth fighting for. What are you willing to do to go the distance?
There are lots of things in life worth fighting for. What are you willing to do to go the distance?
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Lesson 18: Final Assignment
We have learned a lot in this course, so let’s start putting it all together. This is where we tackle our final assignment.
We have learned a lot in this course, so let’s start putting it all together. This is where we tackle our final assignment.
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Lesson 19: Conclusion
What really matters when it comes to sports and stories (and life)? It’s cliche but it’s true: it’s how you play the game.
What really matters when it comes to sports and stories (and life)? It’s cliche but it’s true: it’s how you play the game.
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