Sports, competition and games are integral parts of societies. Humans have a biological need to move, as well as a social need to play and participate in group activity. Using examples from past and present cultures from around the world, this course examines sports from a biocultural perspective.  We will examine topics including: why we play; the evolution of endurance running; race and performance; gender and competitive sports; the commodification of sports; globalization and sports culture; and extreme sports and identity.

“The human mind needs monsters. In every culture and in every epoch in human history, from ancient Egypt to modern Hollywood, imaginary beings have haunted dreams and fantasies, provoking in young and old shivers of delight, thrills of terror, and endless fascination. All known folklores brim with visions of looming and ferocious monsters, often in the role as adversaries to great heroes. But while heroes have been closely studied by mythologists, monsters have been neglected, even though they are equally important as pan-human symbols and reveal similar insights into ways the mind works” (Gilmore, D. 2013).  Using a four-field approach, this course will explore monsters, from around the world, past and present, and why they are so ubiquitous in people's imaginations.

In every culture and in every period of human history humans have interacted with and adapted to the physical environment. In this course we will examine the relationship between culture and the environment across space and time.  What are the environmental, social and cultural consequences of our current resource consumption? How sustainable is global economic development?  Given the numerous environmental issues we face today, what might we learn from a cross-cultural exploration of the ways that people perceive, use, and care for the world around them?