Explore the role of football in the world today - including finances, clubs, nations and rivalries - with this free online course. Explore the world of football (soccer), the money, the rivalries, the trends, the past, the present, the men’s game, the woman’s game and the real issues. Whether you love it, hate it or try to ignore it – join us as we go behind the scenes to examine why football is more than just a game.

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From street soccer to multi-million dollar transfers, from the men’s game to the women’s, from the global to the local, from the beaches of Brazil to the fight against poverty this online course looks beyond the pitch, to explore football’s role in society and possibly a community near you.

Syllabus

Week 1: Football: History, myths and power

Week 2: The global spectacle of football

Week 3: Great football clubs, nations and matches that changed the world

Week 4: The FIFA World Cup – Who are the champions of the world?

Week 5: Football for international development, Drogba diplomacy and peace

Week 6: Football finances, ownership and review

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Understand the importance of concepts to explain football in different countries

- Understand and explain the role of football within international development

- Critically examine and understand the use of data and evidence

- Consider the role of history in explaining trends and change

- Develop communication, IT and data analysis skills

- Apply knowledge, skills and understanding to explain why Football is more than a game

- Develop autonomy, accountability and working