The Anthropology of Sport - An Introduction

Anyone who reads the newspaper, watches television, or listens to casual conversation on the street is aware of the ubiquitous nature of sport. It is everywhere. It flavors our national culture and permeates every corner of our daily lives. Sport in America, as in many countries, is big business, popular culture, and potent politics. It has become its own medium of communication and has important ramifications for international and multicultural relationships. There is no topic that should be of greater interest to social science in general and anthropology in particular than the study of human sport. This volume presents theory, history, practice, and institution of human sport.

List of contents

Foreword by Brian Sutton-Smith
Preface
Sport and Anthropology
The Meaning of Sport: A Cultural Approach
Anthropology of Sport: Theory and Method
Prehistory and Early History of Sport
Sport in Culture: An Evolutionary Perspective. I: Band Society
Sport in Culture: An Evolutionary Perspective. II: Supraband Society
Applications
Epilogue
References
Index

About the author

KENDALL BLANCHARD is Professor of Anthropology and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Lamar University. He is the author of six books, including The Mississippi Choctaws at Play: The Serious Side of Leisure (1981).

Summary

Anyone who reads the newspaper, watches television, or listens to casual conversation on the street is aware of the ubiquitous nature of sport. There is no topic that should be of greater interest to social science in general and anthropology in particular than the study of human sport.

Product details

• Authors: Kendall Blanchard, Blanchard Kendall
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 7 to 17
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2019
• EAN: 9780897893305
• ISBN: 978-0-89789-330-5
• No. of pages: 352
• Weight: 510 g
• Subjects: Guides > Hobby, home > Games, quizzes; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Cultural Studies, SPORTS & RECREATION / General, Anthropology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Sports & outdoor recreation, Sport: general, Geography and World Cultures: Culture