Single subject — no qualification is awarded on completion. Credits toward the qualifications listed below.
This subject is FEE-HELP eligible, so eligible students can defer the $2,174 fee as a government loan and pay nothing upfront.
Fees and funding are indicative only. Confirm your eligibility and final costs with the provider.
A student visa requires a full-time CRICOS-registered course, and single subjects have no CRICOS registration. If you’re studying in Australia on a student visa, you’ll need a full qualification instead.
See CRICOS-registered alternativesSport, games, and play are a part of everyday life. Formal or informal, solitary or shared, physical or virtual, organised or spontaneous, high stakes or 'just for fun', games are a means of escaping the ‘real’ world or exploring it in new ways. Our shared values can be demonstrated through play, either by celebrating those we deem to be ‘good sports’ or shaming those who don’t play ‘in the spirit of the game’. But how are these norms of ‘fair play’ shaped, by whom, and how can they change over time? How can urban sports such as skateboarding and parkour be seen as ‘subversive’ and framed as a public menace, and yet offer opportunities for personal expression and communal belonging? How are video games shaping new understandings of both fun and competitive interactions, and how are e-sports influencing the future of play? Meanwhile, more ‘traditional’ forms of sport are undoubtedly among the most influential in Australian society. No less than three Australian Test cricket captains and tennis players have been recognised as Australian of the Year. Prime Ministers and other political leaders desperately promote their support of popular teams to make themselves relatable, and Victoria has not one, but two public holidays dedicated solely to sporting events. But why is this the case? Why does sport seem to possess such an enormous influence in Australian society? Sport can unite us and foster community-building, but it can also divide us through forms of exclusion based on race, gender, sexuality, faith, age, and class. In short, sport may claim to be ‘fair’ while in reality proving ‘foul’. In this subject, we address debates around sports and games and explore how forms of play can create welcoming social spaces. This is an online, entirely asynchronous subject, meaning there are no live lectures or tutorials. Instead students can work through the varied, engaging, and highly topical content on their own schedules (while, of course, keeping in mind the assessment deadlines). In 2026 this subject will commence on January 5 and end around February 20. However, it is possible to submit the final assessment prior to the deadline and complete the subject earlier.
The Politics of Play: Contemporary Issues in Sports, Games, and Leisure is a standalone subject at La Trobe University in VIC. Completing it does not award a qualification. Credit may apply toward the qualifications listed on this page.
No qualification credit mapping has been indexed for this subject yet. The provider may still grant credit toward a related award — confirm with La Trobe University before enrolling.
La Trobe University is the awarding provider. Recorded study modes are Online. Typical duration is listed as 12 weeks. The subject is listed at 25 credit points. Eligible students may defer fees through FEE-HELP.
Details on this page are compiled from the provider's published subject information and government registers. Fees, intakes and credit rules can change — confirm current details with La Trobe University before enrolling.
Prior study required
