This paper discusses the problems of American television in the 1980s, television's cultural history, the postmodern television consumer culture as explored in DeLillo's "White Noise" and Wallace's ?Girl with Curious Hair", and television sports.
Abstract This paper explains that the decade of the 1980s is seen as the explosion of television culture in terms of the proliferation of networks and the availability of programming through the cable. The author points out that Wallace and DeLillo are both concerned with postmodern characters that are absent internal selves, or rather, characters that seem to be informed of behavior primarily through the use of television. The author believes that sports on television now seems to be as dysfunctional as the nuclear family: a series of different schedules with a lot of hype, dreams or delusions of grandeur, with no meaningful connection to the simple love of the game.
Table of Contents
Cultural History of American Television
The Postmodern Television Consumer Culture: "White Noise" and "Girl with Curious Hair"
Television's Impact on Sports
From the Paper "The FCC continued to be the regulating body that determined what would be permissible for the American public to view. However, the Reagan administration that preached supply-side economics, believed that deregulation was the best method of growing the economy given the many slow-downs that dominated the 1970?s. "For FCC chairman (Reagan appointee) [Mark] Fowler, the only kind of regulation that was legitimate came from the market itself, and he made this clear to gleeful industry executives from his earliest days in office" (Steyer 137). Fowler also acknowledged that such regulation should be at the hands of media and broadcasting executives because they had first hand knowledge of what Americans really wanted to see. Ironically, it seemed that the Reagan administration passively promoted a liberal media that looked for alternative methods of programming even though the business executives would assess its effectiveness and its decency."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the manner in which Nike has chosen to promote its "Shox iD" shoe. The paper analyzes Nike's Internet marketing strategy for the shoe, the message Nike tries to convey about the shoe, and how Nike continues to capitalize on its image as a great shoe company.
From the Paper "However, in terms of promotions, Nike still is masterful in conveying a strong message to a targeted segment of the running shoe market as well as eking out, if not dominance, then a still secure area of the sports apparel industry. One recently promoted shoe of great importance to Nike is that of the new Nike Shox iD running shoe. The Nike Shox iD running shoe has not been marketed in a general fashion, however, on television, Internet, and the print media in the same diffuse manner as, for instance, the Air Jordans of the past. This was because many non-basketball players wore Air Jordans to convey their solidarity with the great basketball player and themselves as his great fans."
Abstract This paper explores the issues behind the 2004 NHL lockout. It is an unbiased essay providing viewpoints from both the owners and the players. It also looks at the effect the lockout will have on fans and the general sporting community.
From the Paper "The National Hockey League's players are locked out and it seems that the 2004-05 season is in real jeopardy. It is a battle between the players and the owners, and a controversial question is who is responsible for the lockout? The owners, lead by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, are concerned with the rapid increase of player salaries and the subsequent loss of revenue. The players are represented by Bob Goodenow, the executive director of the NHL's Player's Association, and feel that they are not responsible for the current situation. It is the owners that have set their salary expectations. The athletes are willing to compromise on issues such as revenue sharing and initiate a luxury tax model; however, they are refusing to negotiate with the owner's about a salary cap. These conflicting sides have both contributed to the dire state of the game, but the owners and the players must also consider the impact the lockout will have on their fans and the sporting community."
Abstract This paper presents an examination of sports leadership. The writer explores what it takes to be an effective leader in the world of sports. Terms are defined, and literature is examined to present the most important characteristics in the role of coach. The paper provides several examples of successful coaches.
From the Paper "Sports can be the foundation for building a successful life. Whether the participant plays childhood league sports, school sports, or goes on to become a professional player the skills and traits that are developed during that time help shape the total person. Because of the important impact that sports can have on a person's total development the way a team is handled becomes a key factor in the sports industry. Most people who have had children participate in sports leagues have either experienced or witnessed both good coaches and bad coaches."
Attempts to understand and come to a conclusion as to whether or not criminal offenders are in fact 'mad', having psychological issues, or are just acting out.
Abstract This paper looks at the normal/pathological debate about criminal offenders to try to conclude whether or not criminal offenders have underlying mental issues or just commit crimes based on their environment and lifestyles.
From the Paper "The question of whether offenders are mad or bad and the normal/pathological debate is one that runs rife throughout not only the psychological community, but also society as a whole. To understand and decide whether or not offenders are mad or just plain bad, the defining of the terms "normal" and "pathological" and the basic outline of the debate is imperative. The psychological definition of pathological is to relate to, or manifest behaviour/s that are habitual, maladaptive and compulsive and on the other hand normal is defined as functioning in a natural manner, with no observable abnormalities (The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary: 2002). The basics of this debate in relation to criminal offenders is that genetics influence criminal behaviour and therefore cause pathological behaviour (Lefton, L.A:1979), that crime is a result of a disfunctioning biological systems involving physiological, biochemical, neurological and environmental factors, (Vold, Bernard and Snipes: ) and the theory that mental illness played a huge part in why criminals offend (Lefton, L.A:1979). On the other hand, moral development theorists view crime as normal and that a person's moral development will determine what crime they will commit and what excuses they will use for the crime (Thornton, D: 1987). However with a strong debate towards the relationship between pathological behaviour and crime, there is no other possibility to consider than that individuals offend due to pathological influences and are in fact mad with deeper psychological roots, rather than just bad and a normal member of society."
Tags: mental, hospitals, compulsive, damaging, behaviour, multiple, murderers, developmental, years
Abstract This paper examines the target markets for Nike products and explores how the company can achieve increased market penetration. The paper presents an overview of Nike, discusses the environment in which it competes, and analyzes how it can best achieve its organizational goals through a strategic global marketing approach. A summary of the research and relevant findings are presented in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Phil Knight turned his MBA project into a multinational corporation which continues to dominate the sports shoes industry today; however, there have been significant rough spots along the way. Knight joined his former track coach whose hobby was handcrafting lightweight athletic shoes to create Blue Ribbon Sports. Blue Ribbon arranged for a Japanese manufacturer to produce the new shoes and gained an early following. After changing their name to Nike and adopting the now globally recognized "swoosh" in 1971, the company moved its manufacturing operations to other Asian countries. In the early 1980s, Nike researchers developed several additional types of athletic shoes which transformed the industry. Following a period of rapid growth in the nineties - including receiving increasing global criticism for its "sweatshop" employment practices in developing countries, Nike emerged to become a multinational that sells athletic shoes, accessories and sports equipment, together with offering a clothing line for men, women and children. Today, Nike's products are sold to approximately 20,000 retail accounts in the U.S. (including department stores, footwear stores, and sporting goods outlets), as well as through independent distributors, licensees, and subsidiaries in 110 countries."
Abstract This paper examines the proposed reasoning behind the plans to build a stadium in New York, dubbed the "New York Sports and Convention Center," proposed financing for the project, and public opinion of the issue. Additionally, this paper examines ways in which the government responsible for the plan can build the stadium, while still keeping local residents and businesses content.
From the Paper "When any new stadium is built in large cities across the nation, there are always two sides to the situation. Generally, politicians or businesses in the area want to increase revenue by the creation of a large stadium capable of accommodating many events, including sporting events, conventions, and trade shows. However, local businesses may fear the loss of their own revenue and local residents may oppose tax increases to fund the building, so may oppose the issue."
Tags: summer, olympic, games, mayor, michael, bloomberg, convention, center, football, team
Abstract This comprehensive paper examines the effects of steroids on baseball. It looks at the problems that major league baseball has had, states the effects of steroids, shows the changes in the numbers of the games, and finds major fault with major league baseball's testing policy in contrast with Olympic testing. Furthermore, the paper gives evidence of student athletes who have died because of the steroid 'nandrolone decanoate' and presents evidence to support the theory that rich players, such as Barry Bonds, will never be caught because the current policy does not take into account masking agents.
From the Paper "Major League Baseball is testing. However, its testing like much of the legal system in the United States of America is both arbitrary and capricious. The current policy hones in on the poor steroid users if you will. It catches the young players who are trying to make it to the big leagues, the ones who do not have the money to afford expensive creams. The prime examples of this are the numerous players from the Seattle Mariners farm system who got caught using steroids. Are these minor leaguers, these men who are not chasing any records but whom are trying to make it to the big show, are these the only players in all of Baseball using steroids? Probably not, but at thirty thousand dollars a year its pretty hard to buy those expensive creams that can not be detected."
Abstract This paper explains that Nike began in the 1960s when Bill Bowerman handcrafted track shoes for his team at the University of Oregon and Phil Knight developed a business plan at Stanford University business school; Nike started exporting of its product in 1989. The author points out that Nike is developing a golf equipment company and its soccer boots became the biggest seller in the largest five European countries in the 4th quarter of 2004. The paper concludes that it is vital that Nike continues to make progress in improving the working conditions in its third-world country manufacturing plants as well as adjusting the labor costs to a range that is "fair" for these employees.
Table of Contents
Statement of Thesis
Introduction
In the Beginning - Nike Corporation
Growth and Expansion
Financials
Nike Corporation Strategy
Community Service
Complications in Production
SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
Competitors
Future Outlook
Recommendations
From the Paper "Nike owned subsidiaries are Converse, Inc. a designer, marketer and distributor of footwear, apparel, equipment as well as accessories for an array of fitness and sports activities. Bauer NIKE Hockey Inc. is a leader in the design and distribution of hockey equipment; Cole Haan is a leading designer as well as marketer of designer luxury shoes, purses, accessories as well as coats; Hurley International LLC is a designer, marketer and distributors of athletic footwear as well as designing and marketing apparel for the value chain retail."
Abstract This paper looks upon key issues society faces with the issue of athletes using performance-enhancing drugs. The paper argues that it is cheating when an athlete uses shortcuts to achievement when using performance-enhancers. It concludes that the wrong message is sent to our youth.
From the Paper "What if an athlete could ingest a chemical that would help him or her win an Olympic medal? There may or may not be a lot of responses to this question. Put it in another way maybe there would be more response. What if one of your classmates could brew up a concoction that would allow him or her to come up with academic papers with little or no work involved? Would this be fair? What kind of academic example would this be setting? Athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs are not only cheating, they are being bad examples."
This paper examines the use of steroids in sports, while citing several cases in the areas of professional, college and high school athletics across the U.S.
Abstract This paper explores the issue of steroid use in sports which is not only a problem in the professional circuit, but has crept its way into high schools and colleges across the nation. The writer of this paper focuses on the use of steroids in these areas while examining the various solutions to this growing problem. This writer details the current professional sports climate which does little to help this situation. Kids see athletes as role models and when they see them using steroids, they perceive it as an endorsement. This paper defines steroids as a medicine synthesized to perform like human hormones, mostly testosterone and to a lesser extent human growth hormone. The writer discusses the current punishments for steroid use, which are lenient by expert standards. This paper examines the various efforts to stop the use of steroids in sports. The writer contends that the underlying path to stopping the use of steroids in sports will come when the young athletes are stopped and held accountable for their actions.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Why it is Happening
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Currently the punishments for steroid use are lenient by expert standards. A professional baseball player has to be caught four times before anything serious happens to him. The first infraction can get a 10 day suspension, while subsequent uses can get up to a quarter of as season on the bench. This sends the message to young sports enthusiasts that the use of illegal steroids is not that big of an issue.
One of the first things that needs to be done to stop the use of steroids is to change the public perception of winning and the importance of doing so. As long as children and adults are being conditioned that winning at all costs is acceptable steroid use is going to be an issue in sports."
Abstract This paper analyzes the use of performance enhancing drugs in baseball. The paper argues that the use of such drugs by athletes is dangerous to children. The paper also asserts that it lowers the integrity of the sport and demonstrates a lack of accountability on the part of professional athletes.
From the Paper "Recent Congressional hearings and testimony from major league baseball players revealed that a number of professional baseball athletes are guilty of using performance enhancing drugs, like steroids and..."
Tags: Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, steroids, amphetamines, MLB
Abstract This paper presents a research proposal for studying the effects that high school sports have on students' academic performance and study habits. The paper includes a statement of problem, background information, significance of the problem, a research hypotheses, research questions, the theoretical orientation of the study and limitations of the study.
From the Paper "Research has provided evidence that athletic participation promotes growth and change in high school students. For example, Marsh and Kleitman examined athletic participation in high school students with data from the National Education Longitudinal Study database. Team sports, individual sports, student backgrounds, school outcomes and other extracurricular activities were examined along with standardized test scores, academic grades, homework, educational aspirations and other variables such as self-esteem. Marsh and Kleitman reported findings that school athletic participation increased school identity and commitment to school..."
Tags: high school sports effects on academic goals and study habits, research proposal
Abstract This article looks at the importance and influence that exercise has on weight loss. The paper uses reputable scientific journals to document the relationship between exercise and sustained weight management. The writer discusses how regular physical activity can lower the risk for certain diseases. The writer examines the importance of exercise in achieving and maintaining weight loss.
From the Paper "The majority of people who lose weight with diet, gain the weight back. People often gain body fat back due to yo-yo dieting. Drastically reducing calories can slow one's metabolism and hinder the weight loss process. An article on dieting in the Mayo Clinic Health Letter explains that any change in metabolism can cause weight gain. Therefore it is best not to go on crash diets that may upset the metabolism. Regular physical activity is an essential part of effective weight loss."
Abstract In this article the writer examines the use and abuse of steroids in the baseball game. The writer describes the current problem regarding such drugs in the sport field. Testing procedures and the subject of cheating are examined in this paper. The writer also discusses the reasons that athletes take these dangerous drugs.
From the Paper "According to a medical expert quoted in an article in Sporting News written by Dave Kindred, most users and suppliers are so sophisticated that only the stupid, careless and foolish professional baseball players get caught using banned substances. Kindred reminds readers that steroids cause acute acne liver dysfunction, renal failure, testicular atrophy and brain cancer. Other known side effects of steroid abuse range include violent behavior, kidney cancer, infertility, baldness and even transmission of HIV, if the syringes used to inject the drug are shared ... "
Tags: abuse of performacne enhancing drups steriod abuse, baseball, banned substances, health consequences
