- a) Who are Andrei S. Markovits and Lars Rensmann? What is their background (e.g
sports professional, analyst, etc)? In which century / time do they live? Why do
you think the authors’ experiences and educational / professional credentials in
the century and time they live in qualify them to write on the book’s subject? Why
so? Do you detect any biases that help or undermine the validity of the authors’
development of the themes in the book? You must justify any assertions or claims
you make in developing your responses with research evidence.
a) What is the authors’ hypothesis or point of view on the topic of the book? What
specific statement or phrase or assertion, for you, highlights the authors’
hypothesis or point of view? You must provide and underline this statement from
the book in your essay with the appropriate textual citation. (Essay will forfeit two
points if it fails to underline the hypothesis with the appropriate citation). - What four major ideas, pieces of evidence, etc, do the authors use to develop the
theme or hypothesis in their book? It is important to evaluate and reflect on the
evidence used by Markovits and Rensmann (evidence in the book for UNIT 4
include studies of countries, personalities, clubs / competitions, national and
ethnic traditions, dates, contested politics, etc.). Does the use of evidence help
explain, support, clarify, any assertions or claims that the authors make on the
subject and culture of football in the book and why? Do not merely applaud /
dismiss any evidence in the book without justification and sound reasoning. Simply
liking or disliking a particular type of evidence does not make a book’s assertions
or claims on its subject/theme/hypothesis strong or weak. You must demonstrate
you have a stronger argument of your own judgements beyond mere opinion. - a) What are your objections / contrary views on any of the authors’ principal claims
and assertions on the book’s theme/subject? Your objections should go beyond
mere generalizations and must be supported with alternative evidence from
Franklin Foer’s How Soccer Explains the World that you will analyse in your essay.
(This is where you demonstrate your research skills)
b) You will at this stage of your essay use Franklin Foer’s How Soccer Explains the
World on the subject of football and its global reach. You must introduce and cite
this book in the development of the essay. It is important you justify the use of
Foer’s book. You must explain how and why his views and use of evidence are
similar or different from Markovits and Rensmann.
c) Determine if there is any conflict in information or conclusion between the
authors of the two books you are writing your review on. You must explain your
reasons. What is the specific nature of the conflict and where do we see this in
Gaming the World and How Soccer Explains the World.