Controversies, Rivalries, and Representation: Sports Culture as a Site for Research and Inquiry

Framing sports culture as a viable site for research and inquiry in the English language arts classroom, this article documents an investigation into the opportunities for research and inquiry teachers provided for students in selected secondary sports literature classes. Data collection involved gathering teacher‐ and student‐generated artifacts, observing classroom instruction, and conducting interviews with teachers and students. Data analysis produced findings that account for three distinct research opportunities: (1) contemporary issues research calling for students to explore “controversial topics" in sports culture; (2) a historical synthesis positioning students to investigate historic sports rivalries; and (3) a media analysis requiring students to replicate published research into the representation of female athletes in media. The study contributes to recent efforts scholars have made to advance the study of sports culture and related texts as a viable approach to teaching English language arts in ways that honor students’ interests and experiences.