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.
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 theintersection 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.
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 Autoethnography 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 Postmodern 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. The 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 Postwar 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 Epilogue References Index About the Editor
