SOC 246
Goals Points Seconds Fall 2024
Division II

Sport is sometimes dubbed a civic religion in America. Figuratively, it has its values to uphold and rituals to follow, its professional sport gods to worship. Engaging in sports — whether actively as athletes or passively as fans — supplies a sense of personal identity, provides a basis for community, and even injects meaning into their lives. In the broader society, the world of sport anchors social hierarchies and mirrors other social dynamics. Through the analysis of the world of sports and athletics, broader social trends and trajectories can be traced. While some of these trends are a century old, some of them have evolved relatively recently, as sport has moved beyond its traditional role as ritual and recreation and become a centerpiece of capitalism and consumer culture. Particular attention will be paid to changing values and practices associated with amateur and professional sports, the transformation of collegiate sports, social mobility through athletics, the role of media and marketing, the rise of sports betting, esports, and the culture of sports celebrity and fandom.