Sociology

Course summary

Sociology is the study of society and people. It explores the relationships forged between the individual and society and looks at the role of institutions like the family and media in influencing behaviour of individuals. Your culture, your family and your friends also help shape your identity, and in sociology we explore what it means to be a boy or a girl and how we learn gender appropriate behaviour. What happens if we do not behave appropriately? What happens if we question authority? Why do we follow rules? In what ways are we socialised to be controlled? The study of sociology encourages students to think independently, to open their minds and question social structures and developments. Through creative learning involving project work and external visits students are expected to develop debating, explanation, analysis and evaluation skills, all the while improving their literacy through extended essay writing.