CHAPTER 1 The Sociological Analysis of Sport in North American Society
Main Themes
1. Sport is a pervasive cultural practice in the United States and Canada and increasingly
a worldwide endeavor.
2. The discipline of sociology uses a specialized perspective, concepts, and procedures to
describe and explain the institution of sport in society.
3. Several social theoretical perspectives provide vantage points for understanding the
social world of sport.
4. Sociology of sport as an organized field of study is less than sixty years old.
5. Sport involves different types of social organization.
6. Sport’s social practices and values have similarities to the wider society and are often
said to be a microcosm of society.
7. Various levels of sport are identified and illustrations are given for each.
Lecture Topical Headings
A. An Overview of Sociology of Sport as a Field of Study
B. The Pervasiveness of Sport
C. The Discipline of Sociology
1. Assumptions of the sociological perspective
a. Individuals are, by their nature, social beings
b. Individuals are, for the most part, socially determined
c. Individuals create, sustain, and change the social forms within which they
conduct their lives
2. Thinking as a sociologist: sociological imagination
3. Units of sociological analysis
a. The micro level
b. The macro level
D. Sociological Theories: Contrasting Ways to See and Understand Social Life
1. Functionalism
2. Conflict theory
3. Conflict/cultural theories
a. Hegemony theory
b. Feminist theory
c. Race theory
4. Interactionist theory
5. Sociological theories and sociology of sport: our position
E. Sport as a Microcosm of Society
1. Common characteristics of sport and society
a. The high degree of competitiveness
b. The emphasis on materialism
Main Themes
1. Sport is a pervasive cultural practice in the United States and Canada and increasingly
a worldwide endeavor.
2. The discipline of sociology uses a specialized perspective, concepts, and procedures to
describe and explain the institution of sport in society.
3. Several social theoretical perspectives provide vantage points for understanding the
social world of sport.
4. Sociology of sport as an organized field of study is less than sixty years old.
5. Sport involves different types of social organization.
6. Sport’s social practices and values have similarities to the wider society and are often
said to be a microcosm of society.
7. Various levels of sport are identified and illustrations are given for each.
Lecture Topical Headings
A. An Overview of Sociology of Sport as a Field of Study
B. The Pervasiveness of Sport
C. The Discipline of Sociology
1. Assumptions of the sociological perspective
a. Individuals are, by their nature, social beings
b. Individuals are, for the most part, socially determined
c. Individuals create, sustain, and change the social forms within which they
conduct their lives
2. Thinking as a sociologist: sociological imagination
3. Units of sociological analysis
a. The micro level
b. The macro level
D. Sociological Theories: Contrasting Ways to See and Understand Social Life
1. Functionalism
2. Conflict theory
3. Conflict/cultural theories
a. Hegemony theory
b. Feminist theory
c. Race theory
4. Interactionist theory
5. Sociological theories and sociology of sport: our position
E. Sport as a Microcosm of Society
1. Common characteristics of sport and society
a. The high degree of competitiveness
b. The emphasis on materialism
