Sport in Society : Issues and Controversies

by Coakley, Jay J.

• ISBN13: 9780815120278
• ISBN10: 0815120273
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-08-01
• Publisher: McGraw Hill College Div

Summary

SPORT IN SOCIETY is the definitive text for the sport sociology course. Taking a global, issues-oriented approach to study the role of sport in society, this text encourages the discussion of current sports-related controversies and helps students develop critical thinking skills.

Table of Contents

1 The Sociology of Sports: What Is It and Why Study It?	1	(28)
About This Book	2	(2)
About This Chapter	4	(1)
What Is the Sociology of Sport?	4	(4)
Why Study Sports as Social Phenomena?	8	(7)
What Is the Current Status of the Sociology of Sport?	15	(3)
What Are Sports?	18	(9)
Summary: Why Study Sports?	27	(2)
2 Using Social Theories: What Can They Tell Us About Sports in Society?	29	(32)
Theories in Sociology	30	(1)
Theories about Sports and Society	31	(23)
Using Sociological Theories: A Comparison	54	(3)
Summary: Is There a Best Theoretical Approach to Use When Studying Sports?	57	(4)
3 A Look at the Past: How Have Sports Changed Throughout History?	61	(26)
An Opening Note on History	62	(1)
Sports Vary by Time and Place	63	(1)
Games in Ancient Greece: Beyond the Myths (1000 BC to 100 BC)	64	(2)
Roman Sport Events: Spectacles and Gladiators (100 BC to 500 AD)	66	(1)
Tournaments and Games during the Middle Ages: Separation of the Masters and the Masses (500 to 1300)	67	(2)
The Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment: Games as Diversions (1300 to 1800)	69	(3)
The Industrial Revolution: The Emergence of Standardized Sport Forms (1780 to the Present)	72	(12)
Summary: Looking at Sport at Different Times and in Different Places	84	(3)
4 Sports and Socialization: Who Plays and What Happens to Them?	87	(29)
What is Socialization?	88	(2)
Becoming Involved and Staying Involved in Sports	90	(3)
Changing or Ending Sport Participation	93	(3)
Being Involved in Sports: What Happens?	96	(6)
New Approaches to Sports and Socialization	102	(10)
What Socialization Research Doesn't Tell Us	112	(1)
Summary: Who Plays and What Happens?	113	(3)
5 Sports and Children: Are Organized Programs Worth the Effort?	116	(28)
Origin and Development of Organized Youth Sports	117	(3)
Major Trends in Youth Sports Today	120	(3)
Different Experiences: Informal, Player-Controlled Sports Versus Organized, Adult-Controlled Sports	123	(5)
Three Questions About Youth Sports	128	(9)
Recommendations for Changing Children's Sports	137	(3)
Prospects for Change	140	(1)
Summary: Are Organized Youth Sport Programs Worth the Effort?	141	(3)
6 Deviance in Sports: Is It Getting Out of Control?	144	(35)
Problems Researchers Face When Studying Deviance in Sports	145	(3)
Defining and Studying Deviance in Sports: Three Approaches	148	(11)
Research on Deviance Among Athletes	159	(7)
Performance-Enhancing Substances: A Study of Positive Deviance in Sports	166	(10)
Summary: Is Deviance in Sports Out of Control?	176	(3)
7 Aggression in Society: Do Sports Control or Encourage Aggressive Behaviors?	179	(31)
What Is Aggression?	180	(1)
Do Sports Control and Moderate Aggression in Society?	181	(7)
Do Sports Promote Aggression in Society?	188	(2)
Sports and Aggression Among Spectators	200	(8)
Summary: Cure or Cause?	208	(2)
8 Gender: Is Equity the Only Issue?	210	(38)
Participation and Equity Issues	211	(21)
Ideological and Structural Issues	232	(13)
Summary: Is Equity the Only Issue?	245	(3)
9 Race and Ethnicity: Are Skin Color and Cultural Heritage Important in Sports?	248	(41)
Culture, Sports, and the Meaning of Race	249	(4)
Racial Ideology and Sports: A Critical Analysis	253	(15)
Sport Participation Patterns Group by Group	268	(8)
The Racial Desegregation of Certain American Sports	276	(5)
Sports and Intergroup Relations	281	(4)
Summary: Are Skin Color and Cultural Heritage Important?	285	(4)
10 Social Class: Does Economic Inequality Matter in Sports?	289	(36)
Sports and Economic Inequality	290	(8)
Social Class and Sport Participation Patterns	298	(8)
Opportunities in Sports: Myth and Reality	306	(10)
Sport Participation and Occupational Careers Among Former Athletes	316	(6)
Summary: Are Sports Related to Economic Inequality and Social Mobility in Society?	322	(3)
11 Sports and the Economy: What Are the Characteristics of Commercial Sports?	325	(42)
The Emergence and Growth of Commercial Sports	326	(7)
Commercialization and Changes in Sports	333	(6)
Owners, Sponsors, and Promoters in Commercial Sports	339	(11)
The Legal Status and Incomes of Athletes in Commercial Sports	350	(14)
Summary: The Characteristics of Commercial Sports	364	(3)
12 Sports and the Media: Could They Survive Without Each Other?	367	(34)
Unique Features of the Media	368	(3)
Sports and the Media: A Two-Way Relationship	371	(11)
Images and Messages in Media Sports	382	(11)
The Profession of Sports Journalism	393	(5)
Summary: Could Sports and the Media Live Without Each Other?	398	(3)
13 Sports, Politics, and the State: What Makes Sports Political?	401	(36)
The Sports-Government Connection	402	(11)
Sports and Global Political Processes	413	(13)
Politics in Sports	426	(7)
Summary: What Makes Sports Political?	433	(4)
14 Sports in High School and College: Do Varsity Sports Programs Contribute to Education?	437	(38)
Arguments For and Against Interscholastic Sports	438	(1)
Interscholastic Sports and the Experiences of High School Students	439	(9)
Intercollegiate Sports and the Experiences of College Students	448	(9)
Do Schools Benefit from Varsity Sports Programs?	457	(4)
Varsity High School Sports: Problems and Recommendations	461	(3)
Intercollegiate Sports: Problems and Recommendations	464	(8)
Summary: Are Varsity Sports Educational?	472	(3)
15 Sports and Religion: Is It a Promising Combination?	475	(26)
How Do Sociologists Define and Study Religion?	476	(1)
Similarities and Differences Between Sports and Religion	477	(5)
Sports and Christian Organizations and Beliefs	482	(11)
The Challenges of Combining Sports and Religious Beliefs	493	(5)
Summary: Is It a Promising Combination?	498	(3)
16 Sports in the Future: What Can We Expect?	501	(24)
Major Sport Forms in the Future	502	(2)
Future Trends in Sports	504	(8)
Specific Forecasts	512	(5)
Summary: The Challenge of Making the Future	517	(8)
Bibliography	525	(30)
Name Index	555	(8)
Subject Index	563