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In this new edition of his acclaimed book, Richard Giulianotti provides a critical sociological interpretation of modern sport. As global festivals such as the Olympic Games and football's World Cup demonstrate, sport's social, political, economic and cultural significance is becoming ever more apparent across the world.
Ten years after its original publication, the text has been completely revised and updated to cover the most recent literature and to tackle the key contemporary issues of sport and society. Chapter by chapter, Giulianotti offers a cogent examination of widely taught sociological theories and topics that relate to sport, skilfully weaving together theory and examples. These include functionalism, Weberian sociology, Marxism and postmodern sociology, along with ethnicity, gender and globalization. Using an international range of case studies and research regarding a wide variety of sports, the new edition has furthered its commitment to making this important material especially accessible to undergraduate readers.
Sport: A Critical Sociology remains the best sociological introduction to sport for upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students on courses such as sport and leisure studies, cultural studies, and modern social theory.
List of contents
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Prologue
1. Functionalist Theories of Sport: Constructing Social Orders, Solidarities and Systems
2. Weberian and Microsociological Approaches to Sport: Interpreting Meanings, Identities and Rationalization
3. Marxist and Neo-Marxist Theories of Sport: Challenging Capitalism, Alienation and Class Conflict
4. Cultural Studies Approaches to Sport: Contesting Domination and Celebrating Resistance
5. 'Race' and Ethnicity in Sport: Competing against Racism and Intolerance
6. Gender and Sexuality in Sport: Playing Against Patriarchy
7. The Body in Sport: Embodying Discipline, Experience and Risk
8. Sporting Places and Spaces: Fields of Affection, Commerce and Fantasy
9. Elias on Sport: Figurations, Civilization and Interdependence
10. Bourdieu on Sport: Domination, Distinction and the Public Intellectual
11. Postmodern Sport: Fragmentation, Consumption and Hyperreality
12. Globalization and Sport: Political Economy, Cultural Creativity and Social Development
Epilogue: Towards A Critical Sociology of Sport
About the author
Richard Giulianotti is Professor of Sociology at Loughborough University, UK, and Professor II at Telemark University College, Norway
Summary
In this new edition of his acclaimed book, Richard Giulianotti provides a critical sociological interpretation of modern sport. As global festivals such as the Olympic Games and football s World Cup demonstrate, sport s social, political, economic and cultural significance is becoming ever more apparent across the world.
