SO 442V Sociology of Sport (3)
Sports have played a vital role in contemporary American culture, especially over the last hundred years. Sports provide a useful window into many aspects of a society, especially in relation to the organization of society and the experiences of many groups of people. Events in the wide world of sports can have significance beyond a single game, season, or sport. This course will examine the nature of various sports and their changing impact on American society. We will consider the relationship between sports and such issues as race, ethnicity, class and gender in order to determine how developments in sports have influenced, and have been influenced by, American society and culture. Other themes include the political economy of sports, the effects sports can have on children's development, and the close connection between the media and both professional and amateur sports.
