Sport in society: Issues and controversies

According to the author this third edition is intended to provide a sound introduction to the sociology of sport and it is designed to raise questions and promote systematic, issue-related thinking among students. Each chapter focuses on a particular issue, and each issue is discussed in light of contemporary thinking in the sociology of sport. The discussion of each issue is grounded in a sociological approach to both behavior and social situations. Therefore the author writes, the emphasis is on the relationship between sport and the social context in which it exists. The content of many chapters is useful for those concerned with policy-related matters and those interested in improving sport experiences for themselves and others. The chapters cover issues such as: How has sport changed throughout history; Sport and the economy: What are the effects of commercialization?; Sport and the mass media: Could they live without one another?; Sport and Politics: Do games create unity and peace?; Sport in High School and College: Do interscholastic programs contribute to education?; Sport and Social Mobility: Is participation a path to success?; Sport and Religion: Is it a promising combination? The United States and Canada are used as the primary sources of examples. Jay J. Coakley, P.h.D. is Professor of Sociology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.