The Situation of Sport Sociology in France.

The sociology of sport as a structured body of specialized knowledge was established quite late (not before 1970). However, it developed quite rapidly, showing some original features, with a particular stress on social change. The main interests are in studies devoted to sport as social practices, to sports areas, to socio-economical aspects of sport and to ethno-sociology of sports. It is noticeable that a number of universitary institutions and the Institut National du Sport et de 1 'Education Physique (I.N.S.E.P.) are involved, as major partners, in the sociology of sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]