Sociology

Course summary

Studying Sociology offers insights into social and cultural issues. It helps you develop a multi-perspective and critical approach to understanding issues around culture, identity, religion, crime, childhood and social power. You will gain an understanding of the key sociological theories, perspectives and methods that will enable you to analyse the social world. You will also gain in-depth understanding in order to analyse the usefulness of different research methods used by sociologists. Paper 1 - Education and Methods in Context You will explore the role and function of the education system, and its relationship to the economy and class. You will analyse the differential achievement of social groups including class, gender and ethnicity. Added to this you will be given the opportunity to explore the relationships and process within school and the significance of external factors such as policies and the impact these factors have upon our education system. Paper 2 - Research methods and Topics in Sociology. You will be focussing your understanding of Families and Households through discussion of the practical, ethnical and theoretical issues associated with research methods. There will be discussion of family types, gender roles, demography, and the nature of childhood and changing patterns of family. At A Level this paper will also include discussion of beliefs in society. Paper 3 - Crime and Deviance with theory and methods This paper focusses on sociological explanations of crime, deviance social order and control. You will explore patterns and distribution of crime between social groups, the Impact of globalisation on crime in contemporary society and the effectiveness of crime control, surveillance and punishment.