Sociology

Welcome

Sociology is the study of society and focuses on individual’s role in contemporary culture. It examines how an individual’s identity and experiences can be shaped by factors such as wealth, gender and ethnicity. The subject of Sociology allows students to question and challenge the social world around them. They will learn to question assumptions we have about society such as: how does social media shape our identity? And we do people commit deviant acts?

Key Staff

Mrs Jackson - Head of Department
Miss Thompson - Social Science Teacher

CURRICULUM INTENT

We teach Sociology to question the society we live in, from the impact of the media to the social structures which determine how we live our lives.

Key Stage 4

GCSE: Eduqas WJEC

Sociology aims to inspire learners understanding and critical awareness of the social world around them. The specification focuses on the importance of social structure in explaining social issues.

Learners will be encouraged to explore and debate contemporary social issues to enable them to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and to question their everyday understanding of social phenomena. By following this course, learners will develop their own sociological awareness through active engagement with the contemporary social world.

Sociology will develop learners' ability to think sociologically in relation to their experience of the social world around them so that they are able to play a positive, active and informed role in society.

Component 1: Understanding Social Processes
This component focuses on the themes of socialisation, identity and culture. Learners study the key concepts and processes of cultural transmission, including socialisation and the acquisition of identity, and develop these through detailed study of families and education.

Component 2: Understanding Social Structures
The focus in this component is on social differentiation, power and stratification. This includes the theme of power, issues of social order and social control, studied through crime and deviance. Learners also study applied methods of sociological enquiry.

Summary Curriculum Plans

Key Stage 5

A-Level: OCR

Sociology asks lots of questions about the relationships between groups of people within society and explores issues of identity, inequality and power. This subject will allow you to see your social world in a different way and question the taken for granted assumptions about the way society lives. You will improve your skills in research, analysis and critical reasoning. Sociology primarily is the study of society and looks at how everyday experiences shape our lives. In particular, we will study patterns of behaviour within social groups and the impact of class, gender, ethnicity and age on social relationships.

The focus of the course will be the UK, but references will be made to other cultures as well. The first year of the course includes Socialisation and Culture and Identity, asking questions such as: How are cultures formed? How do we learn our identities from the environment around us? The second year builds on this and considers researching social inequalities and debates in society through topics such as education and global digital media.

What will the lessons be like? You will be involved in many different activities such as being asked to give your thoughts on the issues through debates and discussions. In addition, to reading and note taking there will be opportunities to watch documentaries and answer questions on topical issues and examine studies performed by social researchers to draw out strengths and weaknesses in their approach.

Component 1: Socialisation, culture and identity

Component 2: Researching and understanding social inequalities

Component 3: Debates in contemporary society

After the course, many of our Sociology students go on to take degrees in Sociology or a related field such as Anthropology, Criminology or Education. It is a valuable subject for all types of work which involve an understanding of people and social relationships or the use of problem-solving and analytical skills. Common career pathways taken by Sociology graduates include journalism, law, PR, marketing, social research, politics, charity (NGO), development work, teaching, social work and nursing.

Summary Curriculum Plans

Homework Intent

The purpose of Sociology homework is to strengthen the learning within the classroom and engage learners in wider development opportunities. Learners are directed to a diverse range of resources which enhance their comprehension and evaluation skills. Assessment homework activities are a vital tool to ensure future exam success.

Inclusion

It is our intent that pupils with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND) follow the same curriculum, learn alongside their peers and achieve similar outcomes. In addition, they may benefit from additional opportunities in the lessons and in the co-curricular activities that are arranged especially for them.

SEND Implementation and Impact

Pupil Premium Intent

Literacy

Reading Aims:

To ensure students are equipped to understand command words in questions.
To ensure students are equipped with a range of independent reading strategies to aid subject comprehension, exam technique and accessing the subject beyond the curriculum.
To ensure students are equipped with a range of independent reading strategies when applying source material (Sociology / Criminology / Health and Social Care).
To support students in understanding complex vocabulary that they encounter in their reading.
To encourage students to read for pleasure outside of the lessons (reading lists and classroom displays).
To encourage students to engage with topical subject related subject material.

Writing Aims:

To ensure students are equipped with strategies to construct their answers to meet the demands of the exam but also show flair and creativity.
To ensure students are equipped with a range of independent strategies to enable them to plan their answers carefully.
To equip students with strategies to reflect on their writing.
To enable students to manage the demands of writing in timed conditions.

Literacy Strategies