SOCIOLOGY THEORY n Functionalist: Parson’s Model (Institutions exist because they serve some function consistent with the need of society). n 1. Economic n 2. Political n 3. Family n 4. Religion

Parson’s Model and The Early Olympic Games Various Games? Dominate Institution? Role of Sport?

Characteristics of Some Social Institutions n Family n Economy n Politics n Religion n Sport n Education

C. Wright Mills: Power Elite n Identify FIVE “Powerful” Persons in the world! n What is the “common” ground?

Power Elite n Power: economic, political, military n Interlocking directorates n Centralized domains( CEO, Joint Chiefs) n Wealth, power and prestige are cumulative

Access to College? The Price Of Admission? n Legacy n Athletics n Development Activities n Faculty/ Staff Children

Economic Dominance n 1. Value things over people n 2. Value quantity over quality n 3. Value competition over cooperation n 4. Value specialization over wholeness n 5. Unequal distribution of power n 6. Use of conflict to change unequal n power relations (war, boycotts)

Political Dominance n 1. Relationship between nationalism and education n 2. Inequality in education- social class n 3. History and Nationalism important n 4.Concern for the character of teachers

Conflict Theory (Dahrendorf,1959) n Society and its’ institutions are not perceived in a beneficial, supportive light by all members of the social system n For every belief (or thesis), there is a contrary belief ( anti-thesis). n Conflict is inherent between the two n From conflict comes compromise n Compromise-seed for new conflict

Conflict Theory n Karl Marx: Bourgeoisie and Proletariat n Sport is an opiate n Theory is not as popular as Functionalism n Sport- distorted form of physical exercise shaped by the needs of a capitalist system of production n Job-production-marketing-sales n Service workers have little control

Alienation n Sport services to alienate people from their own bodies n Focus on time and output rather than individual standards. Rules destroy freedom of play n Commercialized sport reduces athletes to material commodities n Sport is a product to be consumed

Social Exchange Theory (after WW11) n Service n Benefits n Network Structure n Ties Between People n Primary and Secondary “Stars”

Network Structure n Barnes (1954): “Social Fields” looked at relationships of people in Norwegian parish (oil factories, fishing vessels). n Mitchell (1969): Characteristics of networks: n Reach ability: behavior influenced by others n Density : “Close- knit” n Directedness: Friendship not reciprocated n Frequency: Regularity of contact n Anchorage

Network Model

Understanding Network Ties

Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital (Putman,1995) n Social capital: Social organizations such as networks, norms, and social trust- cooperation for mutual benefit n Civic Engagement: In the past year have you? Attend a public meeting, attend a political party meeting, attend a public speech, served on a community board.

Bowling Alone n Between the number of leagues in US has increase by 10%. At the same time, the number of participants have decreased. n Solo bowling: Threat to proprietors- beer, pizza sales. Money generated in these two area!!

Bowling Alone: Ties Between Social Connectedness, Civic Engagement and Associational Membership n Relationship between social trust and association membership: data support n List your association memberships n Why did you join? n Who do you talk to on a daily bases? n What do you talk about? n Are you expected to talk to this person?

Coach and Community Ties Developing Network Structures

Observation of Basketball Players (High School) n Playground n Jr. High Team n Intramurals n P.E. Classes n Summer Camp(s) n Community Sport n Tryout for Varsity Team

Informed About Basketball Players (High school): Networks n Playground Leader n Asst. Coach n Jr. High Coach n Fellow Coach n Newspaper n Booster Club n Telephone Call n Present Member of Team

Strong and Weak Network Structures n Strong: Size of school, extensive support systems ( community groups, economical, political, religious, media) n Weak: Small schools, few network support systems ( community, media, political, economical)

Geography Of America Sport: Networks at Work

Sp. Ill. Dec. 27,2004

Marketing

WVU Alumni Networks

Exchange of Athletes: Track (1987)

Summary n Functionalist n 1. Social Order based on common values n 2. How do social systems continue to operate smoothly? n 3. Sport benefits society n Conflict n 1. Social order based on exploitation n 2. How is power distributed? n 3. Sport is an opiate-sport lacks elements of play