Welcome to Sociology What is sociology What sociology

Welcome to Sociology!

What is sociology?

What sociology is all about? • Sociology is the study of our society. • Sociology is based around different perspectives. • Each perspective has a different way of looking at things. • Sociology takes everyday life/issues/topics that we take for granted and turns them on their head – you will learn to look at things in ways you had not thought of.

What is sociology? It is not: Social work / social skills. Physiology = The study of the individual Sociology = The study of social groups Sociology could be described as a science of society

What is Sociology? Sociology is the study of society. What is society? The world around you. Everything about your life that you take for granted would be considered as part of society. Your family, education, social background, parents occupation, religion, government, media – the list is endless. Sociology examines in detail many of these issues.

Instructions You will be shown a series of statements. These cover some of the topics and issues we consider in Sociology. Consider what your response would be.

Statement 1 Girls work far better at school than boys. Statistically girls do achieve higher grades than boys at school at GCSE and A Level. However this does not imply all boys underachieve – some gain excellent grades. Sociologists believe that girls may be more likely to work hard at school because they are a) more organised b) are better at completing coursework c) have more to prove. Sociologists believe that boys may be less likely to work hard because they a) lack organisation b) have poor motivation c) have greater peer pressure to mess about with their friends.

Statement 2 • Men belong at work and women belong in the kitchen. • Some sociologists believe that women are biologically suited to having babies and being a housewife, while men are biologically suited to be the ‘breadwinner’. • Feminists believe that the only way for women to free themselves from male domination is to separate themselves in every way from men – they even go as far as to say that women should go on a ‘baby strike’.

Statement 3 Religion is a major cause of conflict within society. Some sociologists believe that religion does cause conflict to society in the form of religious wars. There are many historical events throughout the world which indicate the conflict that religion has caused, (e. g. 9/11, war in Northern Ireland). Others might argue that religion does not cause conflict, but instead creates peace and harmony. Such sociologists believe that religion helps to promote norms and values of particular society. (e. g. the laws in Britain are heavily based upon the 10 commandments).

Statement 5 It is predominately more men who commit crime than women. Statistically men are more likely to be convicted or more crime than women. There are far more men in prison than there are women. Recent statistics show however, that female crime is on the increase, particularly young teenage girls. Women are likely to commit crimes such as shoplifting and prostitution. Men are more likely to commit crime such as violent crimes and burglary.

Statement 6 The media is a major cause of gun and knife crime in society. Some people believe that the media over emphasis the portrayal of such crimes on TV and radio. Other sociologists believe that this is real problem that needs to be tackled by the police, schools and government.

What is Sociology? • These are some of the issues you will study in Sociology • “Sociology is the study of human society and human social behaviour. ” Giddens (1989) • Sociology encourages you to ask questions about society.

What will you study in year 12? • Education • Theory and methods • Historical and recent changes in education; • Reasons for different levels of achievement found in different groups; • The purpose of education; • How a range of research methods are used to study society; • How different types of data is utilised to give an ‘all round’ view of issues and factors within the education system.

What will you study in year 12? • Families Different family types. Changes to the family including divorce, cohabitation and marriage. Childhood. Different social policies that effect family life.

What will you study in year 12? • Beliefs in Society • The changing nature of religion in contemporary society – are we becoming a secular society? • The function of religion – a bringer of peace or a weapon of power and oppression? • The range of religious groups in society – from conventional mainstream religions to the range of sects and cults that continue to emerge.

What will you study in year 13? • Crime • Who commits crime? • Why do people commit crime? • How has globalisation changed the nature of crime? • What is the role of punishment? • How can sociology be used to investigate crime?

Who is Sociology for? • Sociology is for anybody with: • An interest in people • A desire to understand more about themselves and others with whom they share a community • Those not satisfied with a ‘common sense’ view of the world • Those fascinated by the fast pace of change evident in contemporary society.

What skills will I learn? Essay writing: • How to structure an essay; • How to use key terms to demonstrate understanding; • How to present a coherent debate that analyses a range of views; • How to use evidence to support your views.

What skills will I learn? How to question: • How to turn ‘common sense’ into ‘sociological sense’; • How to open your mind to the views of others; • How to challenge assumptions about individuals based on issues such as social class, gender ethnicity and age.

What skills will I learn? • How to research: • How to decide the best research tool for a given topic; • Develop an awareness of the strengths and limitations of different methods of collecting data; • How to utilise both primary and secondary research to support our understanding.

How will I be assessed? • All external exams are now at the end of year 13. • You will now sit three papers, each two hours in length. • The exams will include a mixture of shorter and extended writing questions.

What career opportunities are available Sociology is an excellent subject to study for entry into any profession that involves working with people. For example: Teaching Social Work The police force Nursing Psychologist Youth work

Who can I ask for more details? • Mrs Chesters: Head of Psychology or Sociology, Examiner for the exam board on the Beliefs in Society paper. • st-chesters-k@st-thomasmore. walsall. sch. uk • Miss Simmonds: Head of Sixth Form, located in F 27 or F 40. Examiner for the exam board on the Education and Research Methods paper. • Mr Perry: located in F 35.

Where can I find more information? Additional Links • www. aqa. org. uk • The Association for the Teaching of the Social Sciences (ATSS) • http: //www. guardian. co. uk • Government data websites • www. discoversociology. co. uk/The-Sociology-Teacher. Magazine/world-of-sociology. htm

‘The fascination of sociology lies in the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very world in which we have lived all our lives. ’ Peter Berger Invitation to Sociology We look forward to seeing you all next year!