Sociology of Sport and Social Theory

Product Description

Sociology of Sport and Social Theory presents current research perspectives from major sport scholars and leading sociologists regarding issues germane to the sociology of sport. Each chapter of this resource explains historical and contemporary social theories and applies these theories to current topics in sport, such as performance-enhancing drugs, gender, race and identity issues, and the role of religion in sport.

Sociology of Sport and Social Theory introduces readers to the historical and theoretical underpinnings of social theory, how sport studies have incorporated or diverged from these theories, and how the application of various sociological lenses to sport contexts may converge for future research. Merging the fields of sport studies and sociology, the text provides readers with

• a fresh view on how prominent social issues may be applied to exciting issues in sport;
  
• an opportunity to analyze engaging topics in sport, including Tiger Woods’ dominance, the costs of building stadiums, and NCAA institutional logic; and
  
• an accessible presentation of seemingly complex theories from scholars with backgrounds in sociology and sport studies.
  

Structured in four parts, this text expands discussion beyond theoretical paradigms typically employed by sport sociologists to consider traditional theories (conflict theory and structural functionalism) and contemporary sociological theories (feminist theory, social capital theory, and relational theory) and their application in sport contexts. Each chapter begins with a theory overview and concludes with suggestions for future research and an annotated list of additional resources.

In part I of the text, readers will encounter a Weberian analysis of sport, learn how Mills’ theory of the sociological imagination provides a lens through which an athlete-author can analyze athletic events, and read a discussion of Elias’ figurational theory as applied to issues of hooliganism in soccer. Mid-level sociological theories, which provide a moderate convergence of theory and empirical research, are the focus in part II of the text. Chapters in part III address sport-related issues of gender, race, ethnicity, and social class using the contemporary sociological views of feminist theory, social reproduction theory, hegemonic masculinity theory, and structuration theory. Part IV considers issues of power, personality, citizenship, and dominance in sport.

Sociology of Sport and Social Theory addresses a range of topics at the forefront of both scholarly and public discourse and provides readers the opportunity to consider these issues in light of traditional and contemporary sociological theories. With its broad range of perspectives and analyses, Sociology of Sport and Social Theory illustrates for students, sport scholars, and social scientists how sociological theory can provide a suitable framework for understanding patterns that exist in the world of sport.

Contents

Part I. Great Theorists

• Chapter 1. Toward a Sport Ethic: Science, Politics, and Weber's Sociology
  Robert Beamish, PhD
  Four Pure Types of Action
  Science and Ethics: The Limits of Goal-Rational Action
  The Politics of Ethical Conduct in Sport
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Sources
• Chapter 2. Civilizing Sports: Figurational Sociology and the Sociology of Sport
  Eric Dunning, PhD
  The Figurational Sociology of Sport and Its Critics
  Criticizing and Testing Elias
  The ‘Civilizing’ of Modern Sports
  Soccer Hooliganism as an English and World Problem
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 3. Beyond the Sociological Imagination: Doing Auto-ethnography to Explore Intersections of Biography and History
  Nancy Spencer, PhD
  Sociological Imagination
  Applying the Sociological Imagination to Research
  Applying Critical Sociological Imagination to My Studies
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources

Part II. Research Guided by Mid-Level Sociological Theories

• Chapter 4. The Sociology of Science: Sport, Training, and the Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances
  Ian Ritchie, PhD
  Theories in the Sociology of Science
  Sport and the Science of Training: The Conservation of Energy and Beyond
  Understanding the Use of Performance-Enhancing Substances
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 5. Political Economy: Sport and Urban Development
  Kimberly S. Schimmel, PhD
  Urban Political Economy and Urban Regime Theory
  Sport Development and Urban Development in Historical Perspective
  Sport, Urban Regime, and Urban Development in Indianapolis
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 6. Institutional Logics Theory: Examining Big-Time College Sport
  Richard M. Southall, EdD, and Mark S. Nagel, EdD
  Theory of Institutional Logics
  Case Study: 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament Broadcasts
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 7. Playing for Whom? Sport, Religion, and the Double-Movement of Secularization in America
  David Yamane, PhD, Charles E. Mellies, BA, and Teresa Blake, BA
  The Double Movement of Secularization
  Societal-Level Secularization: The Differentiation of Sport from Religion
  Sport as Civil Religion?
  Organizational Innovation Connecting Religion and Sport
  Religion and Spirituality at the Individual Level
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources

Part III. Theories of Inequality

• Chapter 8. Feminist Theory and the Study of Sport: An Illustration from Title IX
  Angela J. Hattery, PhD
  The First Wave
  Modern Feminist Theory:The Second Wave
  Post-Modern Feminism: The Third Wave
  Title IX and Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Sport
  Discussion
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 9. Social and Cultural Capital: Race, School Attachment, and the Role of High School Sports
  Rhonda F. Levine, PhD
  Theoretical Frameworks
  Sport Participation, Academic Achievement and School Attachment
  Role of Coaches
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research Additional Resources
• Chapter 10. Race, Class, and Gender Theory: Violence Against Women in the Institution of Sport
  Earl Smith, PhD, and Benny Cooper, BA
  The Issue
  Methods and Data
  Discussion
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 11. Masculinities and the Sociology of Sport: Issues and Ironies in the 21st Century
  Bryan E. Denham, PhD
  Hegemonic Masculinity
  Constructions of Masculinity in Professional Football
  Constructions of Masculinity in Hardcore Bodybuilding
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 12. Getting Girls in the Game: Negotiations of Structure and Agency in a Girls’ Recreational Sport Program
  Cheryl Cooky, PhD
  Overview of Theories of Structuration
  Culture
  Girls in the Game
  Cultural Analysis: Discursive Constructions of Sport and the "At-Risk" Girls
  Helping Girls “At-Risk”: The Structure of “Girls in the Game”
  “Doing Whatever We Want”: Reproductive Agency at GIG
  Negotiating Agency and Constraint in Everyday Social Interactions: The Role of Culture in School-Sanctioned Verus Hip-Hop Femininities
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources

Part IV. Microlevel Theories

• Chapter 13. Mundanity of Excellence: Tiger Woods and Excellence in Golf
  Earl Smith, PhD
  Tiger the Golfer
  Theory of Dominance in Sport
  Discussion
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 14. Making It Big: Visible Symbols of Success, Physical Appearance, and Sport Figures
  Bonnie Berry, PhD
  The Null Hypothesis and Methodology
  Observations of Sport, Fitness, and “Health” Magazine Images
  Interpretations: Some Features on Which to Focus
  Symbolic Interaction, Dramaturgy, and Image-Making
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources
• Chapter 15. Sport and Multiple Identities in Post-War Trinidad: The Case of McDonald Bailey
  Roy D. McCree, PhD
  Theoretical Considerations
  Methodology
  Athletic Representation and Multiple Identities: Trinidadian or British
  Conclusion
  Suggested Research
  Additional Resources

Audiences

A reference for sport sociologists, general sociologists or theorists with an interest in sport, and scholars in sport studies. Also for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students needing a text that relates sport with sociological theory.

Author

Earl Smith, PhD, is director of American ethnic studies and professor of sociology at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has over 20 years of experience as an instructor and researcher of topics in sociology of sport, and he has gained recognition as a Rubin Distinguished Professor. He focuses on the intersection of sociological, psychological, and economic theories and empirical research in sport.

In 2008, Smith was awarded the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) Book Award. He has also served as president of NASSS. In 2008-2009, the department of anthropology and sociology at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, presented Smith with the Arnold A. Sio Distinguished Professor of Community and Diversity Award.

A former competitive runner, Smith now walks to stay fit and enjoys bird watching and spending time outdoors. He resides in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.