Welcome to Sociology

Why learn sociology?

Studying sociology helps students gain a deeper understanding of how society works and human behaviour. It allows students to develop their analytical skills by comparing and contrasting perspectives on a range of social issues. Students will develop transferable skills including how to:

  • Investigate facts and make deductions
  • Develop opinions and new ideas on social issues
  • Analyse and better understand the social world.

There are many areas of focus in Sociology, but this course explores the following:

  • Families
  • Education
  • Crime and Deviance
  • Social Stratification (how we categorise people into different groups such as social class)

Sociology can lead to a range of careers including social worker, school counsellor, police officer, human resources, social researcher and journalist to name a few.

Knowledge
What is Sociology? What makes us human? – nature vs nurture
What makes us human? – culture What is cultural diversity?
How are gender roles socially constructed? Identity – ethnicity
Identity – social class Why are people treated differently?
What is social control?  
Skills / application of knowledge
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories and concepts Construct reasoned arguments
Make judgements Draw connections
Links to prior learning Assessment
PSHE Units on culture and identity Assessment on key sociologists and their beliefs
Knowledge
Research design Ethical problems
Primary and secondary sources Sampling
Methodology Small scale research
Skills / application of knowledge
Evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods  
Links to prior learning Assessment
Scientific experiments in KS3 Geography fieldwork Assessment on key terminology and definitions for research methods
Knowledge
Families around the world Functionalist view of the family
Marxist view of the family Changing husband and wife relationships
Inequalities between husbands and wives Gender roles in the family
Reasons for decline in marriage and increase in divorce  
Skills / application of knowledge
Apply knowledge and understanding of sociological theories Sociological terminology
Evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods  
Links to prior learning Assessment
PHSE units on family Source based questions (2 mark and 4 mark)
Knowledge
How has childhood changed over time? Reasons for the decrease in family size
What roles do older people have in the family? Is the nuclear family still the ideal family type?
A brief history of the family in Britain  
Skills / application of knowledge
Demonstrate understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods Make judgements
Draw connections  
Links to prior learning Assessment
PHSE units on family 12 mark source based question on Families
Knowledge
Functionalist view of education Marxist view of education
Feminist view of education Different types of school
Skills / application of knowledge
Apply knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods Evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods
Links to prior learning Assessment
Initial unit on what is sociology will introduce some of these key terms 12 mark question on Education
Knowledge
Class – material deprivation Class – cultural deprivation
Class – school factors Class – labelling
Ethnicity – school factors Ethnicity – home factors
Gender – girl’s achievement Gender – boy’s underachievement
Hidden curriculum  
Skills / application of knowledge
Construct reasoned arguments Make judgements
Draw connections Demonstrate understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods
Links to prior learning Assessment
PHSE curriculum Previous unit in HT4 will introduce some of these concepts Full paper 1(2022) Education and Families

Curriculum