Sports have developed into a pervasive social institution that influences various social processes operating from the psychological level to the global stage. From homes to stadiums, sports extend into a multitude of social arenas to influence economics and politics, as well as the everyday lives of many people.
They offer dramatic diversions from the drudgery of work and domestic life, provide a sense of community in a fragmented world, and plays a vital role in the well-being of people. Sports feed on rivalries and conflicts while holding the capacity to bridge the social divides of ethnicity, gender, age, class, nationality, and ideology. Looking into the historical and contemporary significance of sports takes us into the fascinating worlds of science, business, culture, religion, citizenship, diplomacy, popular culture, and many other playing fields.
This course is designed for everyone taking a critical look at the relationships between sports and society. Students need neither a background in sociology nor a familiarity with the technicalities and jargon of sports to benefit from the module. The approach is comparative and interdisciplinary, covering historical and contemporary issues, foreign and local sporting cultures, as well as theories and methods that transcend academic boundaries.