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SMGT10290

Academic Year 2025/2026

Sport Mega Events (SMGT10290)

Subject:
Sports Management
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Eleni Theodoraki
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module explores the role of sport mega-events like the Olympics and the FIFA world cups in the international sporting, social and political landscape. By considering the origins of modern sport mega-events, the stakeholders behind their organisation and the values and objectives that underpin them, this module examines the nature, management and influence of mega-events in the twenty-first century.
Students taking this module will be encouraged to access and analyse a wide range of sources in order to critically assess sport mega-events and their role on sports and society today, to examine the legacy of sport mega-events and to evaluate their sustainability.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

i. Describe the history, values, growth, and socio-cultural significance of mega sport events.
ii. Debate the role sport mega events play in modern society, in national and international politics, in urban development and the economy.
iii. Define the roles of key stakeholders involved in mega sport event bidding and production (owners, national and local government, city planners, organising committees, athletes, sport federations, sport officials, sponsors, the media, host businesses, communities, others in the supply chain).
iv. Identify project management processes involved with hosting mega sport events (host city contracts, marketing and promotion, performance management, legacy planning).
v. Discuss the typology, geographical and temporal dimensions of sport mega events.
vi. Use examples of past events to identify the UN SDGs that are supported or undermined by mega sport event hosting.
vii. Use UCD library databases, the Olympic World Library and the FIFA museum catalogue to search for mega sport event specific literature.
viii. Identify sustainability reporting mechanisms and the sustainability impacts of modern sport mega events.

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1 Introduction to Sport Mega Events (SMEs)
Week 2 The History of SMEs
Week 3 SME Values
Week 4 The Legacy of SMEs
Week 5 Marketing and SMEs
Week 6 Bidding for SMEs
Week 7 Politics and Nation in SMEs
Week 8 SMEs and the Modern Irish State
Week 9 SMEs, Sustainability and the Environment
Week 10 Diversity & Inclusion in SMEs
Week 11 Analysing & Assessing SMEs
Week 12 Evaluating SMEs

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24

Specified Learning Activities

16

Autonomous Student Learning

65

Online Learning

20

Total

125


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Asynchronous lectures and independent reflective learning
Face to face seminars to discuss the lectures and debate the issues raised
Quizzes for formative progress feedback
Focus on personal and interpersonal development using critical writing and discussion groups

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 3 Graded No
2.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 2 Graded No
2.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 4 Graded No
2.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 5 Graded No
2.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 7 Graded No
2.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 8 Graded No
2.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 9 Graded No
2.5
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in and reflection upon seminar group discussion Week 11 Graded No
2.5
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Academic Essay
Topic: Are Values an Integral part of Sports Mega Events?
Week 6 Graded No
40
No
Report(s): Technical Report
Topic: Evaluate the impact of a recent SME on key stakeholders using the structure of the UN SDGs, the Five UN Pillars of Sustainable Development and or the CSRD reporting areas.
Week 10 Graded No
40
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on essay and technical report available two weeks after submission. Feedback on seminar based group discussion available prior to next seminar.

Name Role
Ms Mide Ni Shuilleabhain Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 12:50