HIS 492 Seminar: Degeneration, Health, and Modernity (Stapell)

The Stark Center at UT Austin

Our Mission
As a research center at The University of Texas at Austin—one of the nation’s major research universities—the Stark Center is dedicated to:

• acquiring and providing access to archival materials in the fields of physical culture and sports;
• supporting and conducting research in disciplines concerned with health and high performance;
• preserving the history of physical culture and sports; and
• educating the public about the cultural and scientific significance of physical culture and sports through publications, digitization, web-based initiatives, and gallery and museum displays.

We define Physical Culture as: a term used to describe the various activities people have employed over the centuries to strengthen their bodies, enhance their physiques, increase their endurance, enhance their health, fight against aging, and become better athletes.