Sport and Society

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Sport is a matter of common concern in contemporary American culture. Its presence can be felt daily through its connection to the major spheres of social life, including the media, the family, the economy, politics, education, and religion. In other words, sport is an important part of our everyday lives. This course examines the role of sports in the United States, focusing on sports as social and cultural phenomena. We will use sociological concepts and critical thinking to examine a variety of issues and topics. The class is designed to mesh your personal experiences and current level of knowledge with empirical evidence and sociological theory related to competitive physical activity or sport. Typical and traditional sociological concepts such as race, class, gender, political economy, socialization, and culture will be applied to and illustrated by the various contexts that sports can take. Prerequisite: A course in sociology. Fall.