This unit examines historical and contemporary controversies in organized and professional sports. Students explore the genesis and manifestation of some of these events in an attempt to trace the root causes of such behaviors in American society today. Lessons examine a variety of scandalous events and topics in professional sports, including controversial sports team mascots, rising sports salaries, Title IX legislation enforcement, violence on and off the playing field, and steroid use by professional athletes.

Students explore topics requiring active investigation and analysis. The instructional strategies engage students in a variety of activities, including analyzing documents, participating in cooperative learning scenarios and simulations, debating, designing graphic organizers, evaluating contemporary media reports, analyzing statistical and financial data, conducting interviews, evaluating contemporary media reports, and participating in research projects.