Sociology

 

Sociology is the study of contemporary society. The course covers trends and patterns in family, education, crime and religion. Students learn to understand and interpret social changes through the theoretical perspectives of Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and Post Modernism. The course also has a strong focus on understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods.

‘One of the key places where sociology should be used is in analysing 'the world' of our times, so that we can be more discerning. To resist the dangers of the world, you have to recognize the distortions and seductions of the world.’ Os Guinness

 

Curriculum

The following AS and A2 modules are examined at the

end of Year 12 and Year 13 respectively.

Year 12

Family and Households - Functionalist and Marxist views of the family, interpreting family diversity, gender roles in the home, and the changing nature of childhood

Education - Functionalist and Marxist views of education, the history of education, and interpreting attainment patterns of different social groups

Research Methods - Advantages and disadvantages of different research methods, Reliability, representativeness and validity, and the conducting of research in an educational context.

Year 13

Beliefs in Society - Functionalist, Marxist, Post Modernist and feminist views of religion, religion and social change, the secularisation debate, and global perspectives.

Crime and Deviance - Functionalist, Marxist and feminist views of crime, Left and Right realist approaches to crime prevention, different patterns of and reasons for offending by class, age, ethnicity and gender, and researching the criminal justice system.

Entrance Requirements

Six GCSEs at grade 6 or above, including Mathematics, and a minimum grade 5 in English Language.

Progression

The emphasis on research methods in sociology will develop your critical and analytical skills and so is a very useful entry qualification for a wide range of careers such as the law, police work, forensics, politics, education, the media, social research or journalism.