Any study of sport is incomplete without consideration of its social function and structures, its economic impacts both locally and globally, and its political dimension - particularly when used by nations for competitive gain. Sport Sociology provides a comprehensive overview for any student taking a course on the subject at college or university, including both established and emergent themes, from issues around power, diversity and consumerism through to newer topics such as the digital environment and climate change - both now covered in new individual chapters. Other chapters have been fully revised to include up-to-date literature and case studies, as well as new key terms and reflective tasks. A new 'Key Thinker' box feature included in each chapter introduces readers to an esteemed theorist relevant for the chapter topic to help link theoretical concepts to practice and offer up suggestive research directions for student assessment.
Peter Craig is Principal Lecturer in the School of PE and Sport Science at the University of Bedfordshire, where he has acquired extensive experience of teaching and course development. He is currently the programme leader for Sport, Media and Culture. Peter is also a researcher and has published widely on sport sociology. In addition to his academic work, he coaches basketball and athletics.
SECTION A: BACKGROUND TO SPORT SOCIOLOGY Chapter 1: Introduction to Sport Sociology Chapter 2: Sport and Modernity SECTION B: FOUNDATIONAL THEMES IN THE SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT Chapter 3: Sport's Organisation and Governance Chapter 4: Sport, Physical Education and Socialisation Chapter 5: Class and Gender Differentiation in Sport - Joanne Hill Chapter 6: Sport Diversity and Community SECTION C: POSTMODERN THEMES IN SPORT SOCIOLOGY Chapter 7: Sport and the Body - Joanne Hill and Amanda Jones Chapter 8: Sport and Consumer Society Chapter 9: Sport and the Media - Ping Wu Chapter 10: Sport in a global world SECTION D: EMERGENT THEMES IN SPORT SOCIOLOGY Chapter 11: Sport in a Digital Age - Mike Bartle Chapter 12: Sport Climate Change and Sustainability
'Sport Sociology responds perfectly to the needs of students examining the growing importance of sport in society. Its ability to locate sophisticated, theoretical debates within an applied and accessible setting offers students a most comprehensive introduction to this subject field. ' -- Professor David Hassan 'This highly accessible text provides a valuable learning resource with which to develop students' sociological imagination and critical thinking skills, both of which represent essential preparation for successful careers in the sport and leisure industry. A particularly welcome feature of this new edition is the increasing significance given to the global context within which sport and societies now operate.' -- Chris Cutforth 'The latest edition of Sport Sociology offers an important update to the original text. Specifically the chapters focusing on sport in the digital age and sport climate change and sustainability offer insights into topics that are at the forefront of the future critical sociological study of sport worlds. By including contributions with his colleagues at the University of Bedford, Peter Craig has expanded the text and highlighted the diverse and interesting teaching and scholarship that is undertaken at his institution.' -- Dr Christopher R. Matthews
