Social Issues in Sport

Social Issues in Sport, 4th Edition, coauthored by Ron Woods and B. Nalani Butler, examines modern athletic institutions through historical, cultural, and sociological perspectives. Published by Human Kinetics, Inc., this textbook introduces students to the role of organized sport as a social phenomenon within contemporary society.

Thematic coverage encompasses youth sport programs, Olympic competition, and the distinct influences of gender, race, religion, and government across various athletic environments. Student readers evaluate moral reasoning, ethical considerations, and deviance in amateur and professional sports, while also examining emerging contemporary topics such as esports and social protest by athletes.

The textbook is organized into three major parts designed to align with a 16-week semester course. This structural arrangement supports sequential lesson planning and helps guide student analysis of complex athletic issues across a standard academic term.