Soccer as Social Science

Soccer is more than a game—it is a reflection of global society, a mirror of cultural exchange, and a platform for activism, identity, and power. This course examines soccer through the lens of social science, exploring how it shapes and is shaped by globalization, politics, ethics, and media. From the sport’s colonial legacies and its role in nationalist movements to the ethical dilemmas of FIFA governance and the inequalities exposed by its global reach, students will investigate soccer’s profound societal implications. Through interdisciplinary analysis, case studies, and personal reflections, students will delve into topics such as soccer’s power to foster community and drive social change, its commercialization as an asset class, and its portrayal in media. Weekly journals, research projects, and debates will encourage students to connect their own experiences as fans to broader social dynamics, uncovering soccer’s unique capacity to unite and divide, challenge and transform. This course invites students to explore soccer not just as a sport but as a powerful lens for understanding the complexities of the modern world.