Sociology of Sport Homework 1

SOC 3301, Sociology of Sport 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit I Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Explore the sociology of sports. 1.1 Discuss the reasons sociologists study sports. 1.2 Explain why it is important to study socialization as an interactive learning process.

2. Demonstrate how modern social theories are used to improve sports management decision-

making. 2.1 Summarize the impact social theories have on decision-making.

Course/Unit Learning Outcomes

Learning Activity

1.1

Unit Lesson Chapter 1, pp. 2-18 Video: The Sociology of Sports in the United States Video: Foundation of the Sociology of Sports Unit I PowerPoint Presentation

1.2

Unit Lesson Chapter 1, pp. 2-18 Video: The Sociology of Sports in the United States Video: Foundation of the Sociology of Sports Unit I PowerPoint Presentation

2.1 Unit Lesson Chapter 2, pp. 24-42 Unit I PowerPoint Presentation

Required Unit Resources Chapter 1: The Sociology of Sport: What Is It and Why Study It?, pp. 2-18 Chapter 2: Producing Knowledge About Sports in Society: How Is Knowledge Produced In the Sociology of Sport? pp. 24-42 In order to access the following resources, click the links below. Watch the following segments from the full video listed below: The Sociology of Sports in the United States video segment, and Foundation of the Sociology of Sports video segment.

Castalia Media (Producer). (2005). Sociology of sports [Video file]. Retrieved from https://fod-infobase-

com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=116776&loid=427743&tScript=0 The transcript for these videos can be found by clicking on “Transcript” in the gray bar at the top of the video in the Films on Demand database.

UNIT I STUDY GUIDE

Sociology - Producing Knowledge About Sports in Society

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Unit Lesson Have you ever wondered why some people react the way they do during a particular event, or why some people are motivated to act in certain ways or say specific things? Why are there some people who tend to get along with their colleagues and community members quite easily when it might be challenging for others? These and many other questions are investigated in sociology. Sociology is the study of society that involves the culture, relationships, and behaviors of people, groups, and organizations. Sociologists investigate the social environments that people create, develop, shape, preserve, sustain, and change through their associations and interactions with each other. The study is involved and focused on the actions and interactions of people, to identify connections between our lives and the world at large. Learning more about sociology allows us to learn more about ourselves and our interactions with others because it explores how the social world influences the way we think, feel, act, and make decisions (Coakley, 2017). Since all human behavior is social, the content of the sociological continuum may span the following issues:

 cherished and devoted family unit to the angry and vicious mob;

 transnational conspiratorial crime to religious ceremonies, traditions, and practices; and

 issues of gender, race, ethnicity, and social class to the shared beliefs and commonalities of culture. Using this same concept and approach in sports, we can explore how athletes, spectators, and those involved with sports function interact and relate to others and the world around them. Sports and the sporting industry have grown in exponentially in the past few decades. They are a huge component in present-day society worldwide and will continue to be a major factor in the future. Few of us stop to ponder the bigger part they play in our environment and the questions that encompass sports such as money, politics, race, sex, culture, and commercialization (Coakley, 2017). Unit I investigates the foundation of sport sociology and the social theories that are used to study sports. We will look at the following ideas:

 sociology and how it relates to sports,

 the types of sport and their purpose and importance in society,

 sports sociology and how and why sports is studied,

 the methods used to gather sports data and the knowledge gained, and

 the critical approach for sports research (Coakley, 2017). In this unit, you will explore the social phenomenon involved with sports, such as the social, cultural, interactional, and structural frameworks in which we live. Sports provide a means to explain and evaluate these contexts using a variety of situations, stories, and visuals. Society is a collection of people, an organization or a club residing in a defined geographical territory or community, who are united through a political system and a shared sense of self-identification with a purpose that differentiates them from other people or groups (Merriam-Webster, 2015). In sports, sociology refers to the evaluation and analysis of how sports influence morals, values, and culture. It also evaluates how morals, values, and culture affect sports and the associations among factors in sports such as race, religion, ethnicity, media, economics, gender, politics, youth, social mobility, and inequality. Culture consists of a combination of elements such as language, beliefs, norms, and values that affect how people act, think, and believe. It might also consist of things you own, your history, the architecture, accepted behavior, and your association with groups. As people interact, socialize, and create relationships, these elements are produced, modified, and changed to address possible struggles over what is important to them and in their lives. Additionally, the challenges with how to do things, and the understanding of how to make sense of their experiences are modified. Applying these definitions, one can see how sports and the sporting industry are a major part of our culture. Those who participate in sports and are involved in the sporting environment possess various meanings and interpretations of these elements. These meanings and

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interpretations may vary from one group in society to the next, and as groups and societies change, they may also vary over time (Coakley, 2017). In this unit, you will also explore social theories. These theories focus on the interactions of people and are grounded on inquiries regarding why the world is the way it is, why society functions the way it does, and on the philosophies about how they can be altered. Description, reflection, contemplation, and investigation are involved in theories. They have real-world applications that assist all of us in making decisions and choices while anticipating repercussions. The social world involving sports is multifaceted, so it is useful to have systematic approaches and theories to study and help us understand sports. Everyone uses theories, such as personal theories, which are summaries of our ideas and explanations of social life (Coakley, 2017). Sports sociologists use five distinct scholarly theories: functionalist theory, conflict theory, critical theory, feminist theory, and interactionist theory (Coakley, 2017). Because several of the approaches and ideas used within these five theories overlap and merge, Coakley has narrowed it down to three. The three major theories you will study in this course include the following:

1. cultural theories, 2. interactionist theories, and 3. structural theories (Coakley, 2017).

The unit also looks at data collection concepts used in a sociological study. Two distinct approaches are used—quantitative and qualitative. In quantitative research, one examines data gathered in a numerical or figurative manner and then utilizes statistical procedures to analyze the information and form conclusions (Coakley, 2017). An example of this would be a survey or questionnaire that uses the Likert scale. A Likert scale is one that uses optional answers to a question such as Always, Sometimes, and Never, or (10-12), (6- 9), (3-5), and (0-2) from which respondents choose the best or most appropriate selection (McLeod, 2008). The second approach is the qualitative approach. In qualitative research, one examines data collected that identifies patterns, relationships, or unique features. This information is then analyzed using interpretive procedures (Coakley, 2017). An example of this would be an interview in which the respondent is asked open-ended questions and provides more detailed answers that are specific to that person. Since sports are such a major part of our everyday lives, culture, and society, they impact the way in which we all live. They are the types of activities where struggles, conflict, and diversity in interpretation exist. Because of this idea, sports and the sporting industry provide an excellent platform in which to study sociology. Some concepts and ideas we hope you gain from this course include how to think critically about sports, how to identify and understand social problems and issues associated with sports, and how to look beyond scores to see sports as social constructs.

References Coakley, J. (2017). Sports in society: Issues and controversies (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. McLeod, S. (2008). Likert scale. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/likert-scale.html Society. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/society

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Suggested Unit Resources In order to access the following resources, click the links below. The following information discusses using sociology to study sports. The section of the article comes from McGraw-Hill’s Online Learning Center (OLC) for Coakley’s Sports in society: Issues and controversies (12th ed.) online version. Open the Chapter 1 readings, then scroll to Reading 1 to read “Why should I take sociology of sport as a college course?”. The following article discusses sports sociology. You are encouraged to view this information. Eckstein, R., Moss, D. M., & Delaney, K. J. (2010). Sports sociology’s still untapped potential. Sociological

Forum, 25(3), 500-518. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=asn&AN=52669960&site=ehost-live&scope=site

The following website provides valuable information on the sociology of sport. You are encouraged to view this source. European Association for Sociology of Sport (EASS). (2016). About EASS. Retrieved from http://www.eass-

sportsociology.eu/about/

Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. These activities will help you understand the sociology of sports better. You may complete one or both activities. Create a mind map addressing the following questions:

1. What is your idea or definition of sociology in sport? 2. How have sports played a role in your life?

Review the PowerPoint presentations on Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 to supplement the textbook reading and lesson content. Alternate formats and transcripts for the presentations are provided below.

Chapter 1: The Sociology of Sport: What Is It and Why Study It?

 Chapter 1 PowerPoint presentation

 PDF version of the Chapter 1 PowerPoint presentation

Chapter 2: Producing Knowledge About Sports in Society: How Is Knowledge Produced In the Sociology of Sport?

 Chapter 2 PowerPoint presentation

 PDF version of the Chapter 2 PowerPoint presentation