Introducing an Olympic Movement innovation, in collaboration with the Department of Sports Organization and Management of the University of Peloponnese (UOP), Sparta, the International Olympic Academy (IOA) now offers a Master’s Degree Scholarship Program for the Academic year of 2010-2011. The course title is, “Olympic Studies, Olympic Education, Organization and Management of Olympic Events.”
The program’s philosophy is consistent with the values of the Olympic movement aimed at worldwide diffusion of the Olympic ideal, global participation, and promotion of knowledge and research in Olympic issues. Grounded in Olympism and Olympic Pedagogy, the academics are based on the three pillars of the Olympic Movement: Education, Sports, and Culture.
### Objectives
– To provide students with specialized knowledge at a postgraduate level on issues related to Olympic Studies, as well as the necessary skills for their academic, professional, or research careers.
– To promote knowledge and research on issues of Olympic philosophy and education, and on organization and management of Olympic Games, big athletic events, and general Olympic and athletic studies.
– To provide a specialized workforce that will organize and direct Olympic and athletic institutions, promote the growth of international Olympic education programs, and contribute to the creation of a scientific basis for the growth and organization of sports.
### Applications
A limit of thirty students may be admitted to the Master’s Degree Program in these categories: degree holders from Greek and foreign higher educational institutions, preferably the officials of National Olympic Academies, National Olympic Committees, the International Olympic Committee, and EU Committees for Education, Culture, and Sport; or graduates of Centers for Olympic Studies, Schools of Sports Organization and Management, Physical Education, Journalism, Economic Faculties, and other Departments; corresponding Departments of recognized institutions of equivalent status in Greece and abroad; along with degree holders from Technology Institute Departments in related subject areas.
### Location and Duration of the Program
The program will take place at the facilities of the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece, and the facilities of the University of Peloponnese in Sparta.
The duration of the program is three semesters. Students are required to attend two semesters of lectures in Greece. The third semester is done at the student’s place of choice. The first academic semester, lasting nine weeks, will start in mid-September 2010. Exact dates will be announced. Second semester dates will be set by the UOP and the IOA.
### Teaching Program
Attendance by all students at all lectures is mandatory. Submission of a dissertation project at the end of the 3rd semester, and of module assignments and examinations at the end of each semester, will determine a participant’s success in this program.
#### 1st Semester
##### Mandatory Modules
The Birth of Sports: History and Philosophy of Sport in Antiquity
– The modern Olympic Games – revival, historic development of Olympic Summer and Winter Games – social, political, and cultural aspects of the Games – Olympic institutions – Olympic law
– Sport and ethics – the Olympic Philosophy
– Olympic Pedagogy I: Olympic education school programs development, implementation
##### Optional Modules (Student to select one from below.)
– The role, organization, and operation of Olympic museums and libraries
– Financial management of sports organizations
– International relations and humanitarian law
#### 2nd Semester
##### Mandatory Modules
– Olympic Pedagogy II: Olympic education school programs development, implementation
– Evaluation of Olympic education programs, research methodology
– Olympic Games Organization and Management (technology, media, financial management, communication, etc.)
– Olympic sponsoring and marketing
##### Optional Modules (Student selects one.)
– Special Olympic Movement issues: media – technology and Olympic Games, doping, fair play, racism and sport, intercultural education, volunteerism, etc.
– Strategic and operational planning of major sports events
#### 3rd semester
##### Master’s Thesis
Preparation, submission, and presentation of Master’s Thesis (All lectures in English)
### Fees, Costs, and Documents Required
The Master’s Program is privately financed by the John S. Latsis Foundation; therefore, no course fee or accommodation costs will be incurred by the students.
Application documents required are
– application form;
– certified copy of diploma or degree with detailed marks;
– curriculum vitae (CV) of the applicant; and
– two recommendation letters, one that is required to originate from a university professor; and a second letter, preferably from the National Olympic Academy, the National Olympic Committee, or any other athletic organization.
