AMST 275E Final, Fall 2007

AMST 275 E – Critical Geographies of American Sports Exam 1 On Tuesday, October 30, you will be given three of the following seven essay questions. You will then be able to choose two of those three to answer. You will not be able to use any notes, books, or other materials during the exam. 1. In what ways have American sports served as a site of hegemony? How have they served as sites for resistance? 2. Malcom X said that Jackie Robinson was a “white man’s Negro.” Evaluate this statement. Why do you think Malcom X said this? To what extent was he right or wrong? 3. In what ways did Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson align with the Black Freedom Movement? In what ways did they diverge from it? 4. How do sports contribute to the construction of gender? 5. Why do you think ESPN chose to broadcast its sports news program, “Sportscenter,” from Kuwait in September 2004? What were some possible effects of this location choice? 6. How is the hetero-sexism/homophobia of sports today similar and/or different to the racism with which athletes like Jackie Robinson and Muhammad Ali had to live? 7. How have things improved for American female athletes over the past 30-40 years? In what ways is it still an uneven, or even oppressive, environment for girls and women? Rules: • Mobile phones must be turned off and stowed away for the entire exam period; Reading or writing text messages or answering phone calls during the exam will constitute cheating and will not be tolerated. See the syllabus for the consequences of cheating. • Once you leave the room, you will not be allowed to reenter. Use the bathroom or do whatever you need to do before class begins. • You may not communicate with any other student during the exam. • You may not bring any food or beverages to the exam. • If you have a question for me during the exam, please raise your hand and then quietly ask it to me. • If you are quoting any of the readings, please make some sort of citation (at least acknowledge the name of the author you are citing). • Have more than one writing utensil on your desk during the exam in case your pen runs out of ink or the point of your pencil breaks. • Relax! It’s just an exam.