CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, PATNA, BIHAR

2017

SPORTS AND SOCIETY:VARIED DIMENSIONS

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

DR. SANGEET KUMAR SHREYAN JOSHI

(FACULTY SOCIOLOGY-I) ROLL:1563 BA.LLB SEM-II

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the course of Sociology-I for Second Semester B.A.LLB
 INTRODUCTION

Sports, in the context of sociology, is defined as a sociological institution, and in the following
manner: a physical activity which is fair (fair meaning honest in that the contest is structured for
all contestants to have a reasonable chance to win), competitive, non-deviant, and is guided by
rules, organization and/or tradition. Sports play a big role in creating cultural identity and finding
the niche of a certain section of society, be it on the basis of linguistic boundaries, age, gender,
race, or even religion. It also reinforces culture which it has created over development of time
and through organizations that govern its administration. Peoples cultural and religious festivals
or celebrations are marked by sports events. People of different ethnic groups, religious
affiliations, races, social and political classes converge under the same umbrella and share
similar ideas as athletes, fans, supporters or otherwise. It therefore promotes intra and
interpersonal relationships because it bridges all inter socio-cultural escarpments among others.
However due to the mushrooming aggressive behavior like fights between different clubs, fans
and managers using abusive comments, physical bad play, fights raise a concern whether sports
is a social institution or not. But to a bigger extent it is. Sports are NOT isolated worlds entirely
with their own internal rules and logic. Instead they are embedded within broader institutions
such as race, gender, sexuality, the emergence of fantasy sports, the profit motive, etc.all of
which interfere with the presumed ultimate objective of winning or of sports-as-meritocracy. A
sociological understanding of sports in this sense means understanding the different types of
social meanings society invests in sports, and what consequences this has.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The researcher wishes to highlight on the following issues through his research work:
Sports shape society, and society shapes sports; Sports as a sociological institution.
Sports, culture, race, and gender; its impact on them and their interconnectedness with it.
Sports, the human body, and technology; creating a sense of perfection in human
physiology.
Sports and media; Fan following, journalism and coverage, tv, internet and their
significance.
 The political economy of sports; structure of sports league, ownership, distribution rights,
governance, commerce.
Elements of conflicts and societal repressive issues: violence, terrorism, corruption,
unprescribed drug usage by athletes.
Sports and higher education; role of sports in education.

HYPOTHESIS
The following hypothesis has been put forward by the researcher in his research work:
Sports, as a sociological institution, has its impact and significance on the rise due to
advent of globalization, liberalization, and technology.
Sports, in its symbolical view, often harbors societal unrest and conflicts, in the shape of
oppression of the less powerful, corruption, terrorism.
Sports is getting marred by involvement of politics, disallowing merit to be the sole
determinant for the rise of an athlete, especially in India.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
How has sports emerged to hold such vital stand in shaping society and its norms,
culture?
How have sports organizations, internationally and domestically, tackled the conflicting
disputes arising out of racism, sexism, status mobility of minorities?
What has been the impact of creation of major leagues and tournaments as cultural
products, with special emphasis on India?
Should politics and sports function as two separate social entities or with the
intermingling as is in its current capacity?

LIMITATION OF RESEARCH
The researcher will confine her research to the city of Patna, in Bihar. Due to time constraint,
the researcher will use the mode of questionnaire for field work. The study will include
people from all age groups and will concentrate mainly on trainers, athletes, and
academicians (either working or retired). The research will include a minimum of 10
questionnaires.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The researcher will be using both Primary and Secondary sources of data for conducting the
research work.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The researcher will be using both doctrinal and non doctrinal mode of research. It will
include collection of both primary and secondary sources with special emphasis on field
study and legislations.

1. SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION

All books, journals, articles in newspapers, reports of law commissions,

legislations, case laws and filed study.

2. METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

The researcher will make use of both doctrinal and non doctrinal mode of
researcher .The doctrinal mode will include library based research and the non
doctrinal mode will include interview and observation method for data collection.

3. TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTION

Stationery items, paper, camera, laptop and others besides observation technique
are the tools of the researcher for the research work.

4. PILOT SURVEY

Questions drafted by the researcher will be evaluated through the process of pilot
survey first before conducting the actual research work. It will be conducted on
dummy respondents.

TENTATIVE CHAPTERISATION:
 Introduction.
Sports as a sociological institution
Cultural elements and conflicts
Media, technology and economics
Corruption, drugs, and violence
Sports in higher education
Field work and data analysis.
Conclusion and suggestions.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

sites.uni.edu/greenr/soc/sportsoc.htm
sociology.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/documents/syllabi/f12/F12Soc117Huang
.pdf
www.customwritings.com/blog/essay-writing-help/10-facts-persuasive-essay-
sports-social-institution.html