This course introduces students to literary inquiry through the, study of literary texts that involve sports and athletes. Texts, will come from a variety of genres, such as the play Fences by, August Wilson, a memoir by ballerina Misty Copeland, an essay, about Muhammad Ali, short stories by John Edgar Wideman, and a, novel. While reading and discussing texts about sports and, athletes, students will consider issues of diversity such as the, former segregation of baseball leagues, Title IX and college, athletics, and the activism of specific African American, athletes. The course will encourage students to think critically, about the role that athletics plays in our culture and the ways, that race and gender intersect with athletics. Students should, expect to read and discuss several short and long texts while, thinking critically about cultural issues.