The Social Sciences department comprises of four subjects: Sociology, Psychology, Criminology and Law. Sociology is an option offered at both Key stage 4 and Key Stage 5. Psychology, Criminology and Law and offered at Key Stage 5.  All subjects are extremely well subscribed.

Sociology is the study of how people interact in groups and the influence structures such as the family, media and education system have on society. Sociology is an exciting and topical course which allows students to think critically, challenge assumptions and present evidence and examples. Students follow the GCSE AQA specification across years 9-11.

Year 10 Curriculum

Sociology students begin their study of the subject by exploring the foundations of Sociological study. Students address the big question ‘What is the role of the sociologist?’. By exploring the classical theories of functionalism, Marxism, feminism and interactionism students investigate the inequalities in society and develop their sociological imagination.

Students then go on to examine demographic trends and social attitudes in relation to families and households in the UK. Questions students will debate include: Whose role is it to complete the conjugal chores, is the family a safe haven and what are the social trends relating to divorce?

The second topic students investigate is the role of the UK education system. Students will examine sociological theories such as the Marxist perspective that education is a negative force in society. Students also go on to examine the reasons for differential educational achievement in the UK and whether historical and current educational policy has been successful.

Embedded through the topics is research methods, where students will learn about the research methods sociologists use to study society such as questionnaires and covert observation. Learners will get the chance to undertake some sociological research and evaluate how successful it was.

Year 11 Curriculum

The AQA sociology course for Year 11 involves the study of two topics: Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification. Whilst studying the sociological perspectives on Crime and Deviance students explore questions such as: Why do people commit crime? Is the UK criminal justice system racist and have policies aimed at reducing crime been successful?

In their final module, students explore the hierarchy in the UK and the reasons for social inequality. They examine a variety of sociological perspectives on the factors affecting life chances such as the feminist view that society is patriarchal.

Year 12 Curriculum

Students study the AQA specification at A-level and will sit three examinations at the end of the course. In their first year of study students complete three modules - education, families and households and methods in context.

Students begin the course with an introduction to the main sociological perspectives that have shaped the way we view society; functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism and postmodernism.

Whilst studying the education topic students question the role and function of the education system and the factors affecting achievement.

Whilst examining the demographic changes to families and households in the UK and in a global context students evaluate sociological theory relating to the changing patterns of marriage and divorce and conjugal roles. They also examine the changing concept of childhood and sociological perspectives on the function of the family.

Finally, students have the opportunity to apply sociological theory to practical research in the methods in context module. After investigating how sociologists carry out their research students then apply this to the study of education and examine the advantages and disadvantages of using various methodology.

Year 13 Curriculum

In the second year of the A-level Sociology course, students cover two modules: Crime and Deviance and Beliefs in Society.

Whilst studying Crime and Deviance, students examine sociological theory on the links between crime, class, ethnicity, and gender posing questions such as ‘why do men appear to commit more crime than women?’ Students also look at the influence globalisation has had on crime and the media’s ability to amplify deviance and create moral panics.

The course culminates with students looking at the changing patterns of beliefs in the UK and explores questions such as ‘is religion a force for good or bad, are we now a secular society, and why do people join sects and cults?’.

 

E Walton, Subject Leader for Social Sciences

For further details on this subject, please feel free to email us contactus@highamlaneschool.co.uk