Sociology

Course summary

Year 12 Sociology Paper 1: Education and Methods in Context Students are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content: • the role and functions of the education system • differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, • relationships and processes within schools • the significance of educational policies, including policies of selection, marketisation and privatisation Students must be able to apply sociological research methods to the study of education. Paper 2: Families and Households Students are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content: • the relationship of the family to the social structure and social change, with reference to the economy and to state policies • changing family patterns e.g. marriage, cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the life course • gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships within the family in contemporary society • the nature of and changes of childhood • demographic trends in the United Kingdom since 1900 Paper 2: Beliefs in Society Students are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content: • ideology, science and religion, including both Christian and non-Christian religious traditions • the relationship between social change and social stability, and religious beliefs, practices and organisations • religious organisations, including cults, sects, denominations, and New Age movements • the relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements • the significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world, including the nature and extent of secularisation in a global context, and globalisation and the spread of religions