Sociology
Sociology
Sociology aims to help students develop a fundamental understanding of the world around them. In an increasingly diverse and ever-changing world students can apply academic methods to better understand human behaviour and begin to discover for themselves why people do what they do. We are always asking why in Sociology, it is a theme that runs deep into the curriculum itself.
The course follows the AQA specification studying the core topics, Education, Crime and Deviance and Theories and Methods. Of the optional topics in we have selected Beliefs in Society and Families and Households, we believe this breakdown of the units is the best one to develop the curiosity of our students as well as to build on the School Ethos and the skills and interests of our students with a central focus on contemporary UK society and changes within a globalised context.
The course is challenging by its very nature and changes the way students perceive the world, it is contemporary, and teachers refresh the curriculum regularly to ensure it is both relevant and topical. Students are encouraged to make links with their other subjects and develop their opinions as well as their evaluative skills. Sociology is an excellent foundation for many different academic pathways and supports the development of students beyond their A levels.
Exam Board: AQASociology Curriculum
Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
| Induction:
Norms, values, roles, status, socialisation, Social Class. Education Education: Class and differential achievement, Ethnicity and differential achievement Class and educational achievement Gender and educational achievement Ethnicity & Educational Achievement |
An introduction to sociological perspectives
The role of education including Functionalism and Education Marxism and Education Education, Globalisation and Privatisation Social Policy Research Methods Introduction to research methods Reliability, Validity, Positivism & Interpretivism Quantitative Primary Research |
Qualitative Primary Research Methods Secondary Research Methods
Methods in context Families and households What is the family? Couples Childhood |
Theories of the family
Demography Changing family patterns Family diversity Families and social policy |
Exam Technique AS only
AS Exam Preparation |
Introduction to beliefs in society
Religion over time, defining religion Religion as a Conservative force, functionalism, Marxism, USA |
Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
| Beliefs in Society:
Religion and Social Change- Neo Marxism, Liberation Theology, Protest Secularisation Postmodernism and Fundamentalism Social Groups and participation Science and Ideology |
Crime and Deviance
Functionalism, strain theory and subcultural theory Interactionism and labelling theory Class power and crime Realism and crime |
Crime and deviance
Gender, crime and justice Ethnicity crime and justice Crime and the media Globalisation, green crime, state crime and human rights |
Control Punishment and Victims
Theory Positivism V Interpretivism Functionalism Marxism Feminism Interpretivism Postmodernism and globalisation |
Social Policy
Quantitative V Qualitative Objectivity and methods PET Value freedom v Value laden Exam |
Future Careers
Journalism, Police, Law, Nursing, Healthcare, Media, Personnel, Management, Public Relations.
