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.

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.

AcknowledgementsAbbreviationsPrologue1. Functionalist Theories of Sport: Constructing Social Orders, Solidarities and Systems2. Weberian and Microsociological Approaches to Sport: Interpreting Meanings, Identities and Rationalization3. Marxist and Neo-Marxist Theories of Sport: Challenging Capitalism, Alienation and Class Conflict4. Cultural Studies Approaches to Sport: Contesting Domination and Celebrating Resistance5. 'Race' and Ethnicity in Sport: Competing against Racism and Intolerance6. Gender and Sexuality in Sport: Playing Against Patriarchy7. The Body in Sport: Embodying Discipline, Experience and Risk8. Sporting Places and Spaces: Fields of Affection, Commerce and Fantasy9. Elias on Sport: Figurations, Civilization and Interdependence10. Bourdieu on Sport: Domination, Distinction and the Public Intellectual11. Postmodern Sport: Fragmentation, Consumption and Hyperreality12. Globalization and Sport: Political Economy, Cultural Creativity and Social DevelopmentEpilogue: Towards A Critical Sociology of Sport