Sport in America

Thinking Sociologically about Sports

Dr Lara Killick

Lecture Overview

• Instant Replay• What is Sociology?• Sociological assumptions• Thinking sociologically about sport(s)• Engaging our Sociological Imaginations &

asking Sociological Questions• Sociological Theories

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this class you will be able to:– Define Sociology– Identify the core assumptions of a sociological

perspective– Ask sociological questions– Explain the role of sociological theories– Identify the major sociological theories

Instant Replay

Any questions about Sakai site?

Any questions about course handbook?

Any questions about course calendar?

Any questions about assignments?

Any questions about the readings?

Investigating Sports & Sporting Bodies

PsychologicalPhysiological

Pedagogical

Biomechanical

Sociological

Organizational

What is sociology?

Sociology is:“the study of social life, including all forms of social interaction and relationships” (Coakley, 2003: 4)

Sociologists:• Examine social life in context • Map out the connections between our lives and broader social worlds and processes• Critically examine the world we live in

Sociological assumptions

Basic sociological assumptions:1. We are social beings2. We live in social worlds3. We create, sustain and change the social

forms within which we live our lives

Each discipline makes assumptions about individuals, sports and society = building blocks of discipline

N.B: Within sociology there are several different theoretical positions, each of these has a further set of underlying assumptions.

In this class we will be engaging our “sociological imaginations” (Mills, 1956: 1) and exploring sports from a sociological perspective: What does this mean?

Thinking sociologically about sports

Debate & Discuss:Great athletes are made and not born.

Debate & Discuss:Colleges and High Schools should offer Girls’

Football

Asking sociological questions..

Power relations: Thinking critically about sports

Private Troubles, Public Issues: Looking beyond the individual and personal performances towards the ways in which sports reflect and reproduce social problems, issues and concerns.

Developing knowledge about sports to provide social commentary and/or effect change

Debunking myths about sports

Explore the ‘reality’ of sports: Looking past the rhetoric at how sports are rather than how they ought to be

Sociological Theories (1)

Theories are simply a vantage point or lens through which to view social life.

They:• guide our thinking• encourage us to focus on particular aspects of social life • provide us with tools to understand the complex social worlds in which we live • enable us to make informed decisions and recommendations about sports and sports participation in our lives, communities and societies

Theorizing involves a combination of description, reflection and analysis.

Sociological Theories (2)

There are many different types of sociological theories. These include:•Functionalism•Marxism (a.k.a conflict theory) & neo-Marxism (a.k.a critical theory)•Feminisms•Figurational theory (a.ka. process sociology)•Symbolic Interactionism•Post-modernism

Each theory gives us a different perspective from which to study the relationship between sports and society.

Recap

What is sociology?

What are the core assumptions of a sociological perspective and how can I apply them?

What is the role of sociological theory?

What are the names of the major sociological theories?

In the next class…

Development of Modern SportDevelopment of Modern Sport

Reading & Reading Guide:

See Course Handbook and Sakai