KIN4028

This course is an upper-level undergraduate course designed for students to examine the impact of the Olympic Games on Los Angeles, California, and the United States. The city of Los Angeles, California is about to host the Summer Olympic Games for the third time (e.g., 1932, 1984 & 2028). The first Los Angeles Olympic Games were held in 1932 and Los Angeles was just starting to be a city of influence in the United States. A number of countries voiced an objection to the Olympic Games being held in Los Angeles. However, the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games proved to be a success. These Olympic Games proved that Los Angeles was an emerging city not only in the United States but in the world. The second Los Angeles Summer Olympics were held in 1984 and followed the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics, which the United States and other countries boycotted. In retaliation, the Soviet Union as well as other communist countries boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Even with the boycott the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games were a huge success. They demonstrated that the Olympic Games could be hosted and not create a financial calamity for the hosting city, but actually create a legacy for the hosting city to build upon. In 2028 Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympic Games for a third time, joining London, England and Paris, France as the only cities to host the Summer Olympics three times. What will happen to Los Angeles and the United States after they host the 2028 Summer Olympic Games? Will the 2028 Summer Olympic Games be as successful as the previous two Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games? This course will explore the impact of each of these Summer Olympic Games as well as contributions that these Olympic Games have had not only on society in the United States but also the world. In addition, this course will explore the changes in sport that have occurred during this time span in the United States as well as the world.