History of Sporting Experiences in America | Enroll Anytime Online Course

Explore the evolution of sport in America from Indigenous games to modern professional athletics, and analyze how sports have shaped culture, identity, and society.

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What will I learn in KIN 415?

Kinesiology 415: History of Sporting Experiences in America offers a comprehensive look at how sports have developed alongside American society. Beginning with Indigenous games in the 1400s and continuing through the modern era, this course examines how sport reflects and shapes cultural values, social structures, and national identity.

Students will explore key transitions in the history of sport, including the shift from informal physical activity to organized competition, the rise of high school and collegiate athletics, and the emergence of professional sports as a major economic force. The course also investigates the role of private sporting clubs, the commercialization of athletics, and the growing influence of media and business in shaping the sports industry. The course also explores how athletics has contributed to reform movements and played a role in broader cultural and political developments throughout American history.

Designed for flexible, self-paced learning, the course includes quizzes that reinforce key concepts and AI-powered chat activities that allow students to dive deeper into topics of personal interest. These interactive elements encourage critical thinking and help students connect historical perspectives to contemporary issues in sport.

Whether you’re interested in sports history, sociology, or the business of athletics, KIN 415 provides valuable insight into the enduring impact of sport in American life.

Required Textbook

Sports in American History, 3rd edition by Gerald R. Gems, Linda J. Borish, and Gertrud Pfister. Human Kinetics, 2023. ISBN: 9781718203037.

How will the course appear on my transcript?

You may enroll at any time and have up to 9 months to complete this online course. The credits earned will be recorded on your UND transcript based on the date you registered for the course. It will appear on your transcript in the same way as a course taken during a regular semester. There is no indication that the course was taken online or that you completed it at your own pace. 

Consult the table on our How Enroll Anytime Courses Work page for a current listing of Enroll Anytime Registration Dates and the semester information that will appear on a UND transcript.

Why Take Online Classes at UND?

Here are a few reasons why you should take an online enroll anytime course at UND:

• Great customer service – Our registration team is ready to answer questions quickly so you can focus on your coursework.
• Affordable – UND's enroll anytime courses are priced at North Dakota's affordable, in-state tuition rate.
• Accredited – UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Easily transfer credits – Transferring credits is always at the discretion of the institution to which the credits are being transferred. In general, credits from schools/universities that are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission transfer to other regionally accredited institutions. UND's online courses appear on your UND transcript in the same way as other courses.

Flexible 100% Online Course

You'll take this online course at your own pace. Some students thrive in this environment, while other students may struggle with setting their own deadlines. If you have successfully taken an independent study or correspondence course previously, UND’s enroll anytime courses may be right for you. Still not sure? Take our online quiz to help determine if online enroll anytime courses are right for you.

Course information including tuition, technology requirements, textbooks, lessons and exams is subject to change without notice.