Eduqas A-Level PE sport and society: a complete overview of area of study 5

What this area demands

Sport and society tests knowledge of how sport developed and how social factors, commerce, ethics and politics shape it. It covers the emergence of modern sport, social differentiation and equal opportunities, commercialisation and the media, ethics, deviance and violence, and global sport and politics. Marks are lost on vague generalisation; they are gained by precise characteristics, real examples and, on the discuss and evaluate questions, a balanced argument that reaches a judgement. This overview ties the dot-point pages together.

The emergence of modern sport

Pre-industrial popular recreation was local, occasional, violent and unwritten. Industrialisation (urbanisation, the Saturday half-day, the railways, literacy and middle-class values) produced rational, codified, regular recreation. The public schools codified games and promoted athleticism, the church provided clubs (muscular Christianity), and national governing bodies (the FA, 1863) standardised the rules. See the emergence of modern sport page.

Social differentiation and equal opportunities

Class (cost), gender (stereotyping, media), ethnicity (discrimination, stacking), age and disability (accessibility, coaching) all affect participation. Barriers are practical and attitudinal, and strategies for inclusion (funding, facilities, outreach, role models, policy) must tackle both. See the social differentiation and equal opportunities page.

Commercialisation and the media

The golden triangle of sport, media and sponsorship funds modern sport. Commercialisation raises standards and access but increases pressure and fixture congestion for performers and cost and paywalls for spectators. The media funds sport, sets the profile of sports, provides role models and influences rules and scheduling, with social media adding a direct platform. See the commercialisation and the media page.

Ethics, deviance and violence

Sportsmanship (fair, respectful) differs from gamesmanship (bending the rules) and deviance (breaking them). The win-at-all-costs culture, driven by commercialisation, encourages gamesmanship and doping. Doping is controlled by testing, the biological passport, sanctions and education; hooliganism by stadium design, segregation, alcohol limits and banning orders. See the ethics, deviance and violence page.

Global sport and politics

Major events are political and commercial spectacles, used for propaganda, boycotts, protest and diplomacy. Globalisation spreads sport worldwide and drives player migration (raising standards but draining talent). Hosting brings economic and prestige benefits but high costs, white-elephant venues and an uncertain legacy. See the global sport and politics page.

Check your knowledge

Attempt these, then check the solutions.

1. State four characteristics of pre-industrial popular recreation. (4 marks)
2. Name the three parts of the golden triangle. (3 marks)
3. State the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship. (2 marks)
4. Give two barriers to participation faced by people with a disability. (2 marks)
5. Give one example of the political use of the Olympic Games. (1 mark)