How does sport shape who we are — and what does it reveal about the societies we build? Sociology of Sport dives deep into the global sport industry, from elite stadiums to street-level fandoms, through the lenses of sociologists Norbert Elias and Pierre Bourdieu. You’ll explore how power, identity, money, and culture collide in the games we play — comparing U.S. and European (especially Spanish) contexts while living and learning in one of the most sport-obsessed cities in the world. Whether you’re an athlete, a diehard fan, or just curious about why sport matters so much, this course gives you the tools to unpack the social forces behind competition, community, and spectacle. No prerequisites, just bring your curiosity and your passion for the game.
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
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- Analyze the complex social dynamics of sport using sociological concepts.
- Critically assess different controversial sport topics.
- Identify and explain key ethical topics in sport, contextualized by a sociological understanding of the matter.
- Propose and conduct ethnographic research on different sport cultures.
- Compare European (Spanish, more specifically) and US sport contexts through different topics.
Department: Sociology
Location: Madrid
Semester: Spring
Credits: 3