Sociology

Course summary

Sociology is the critical study of society. Students of sociology are invited to explore the interaction between individuals and society in terms of how social institutions such as the family, education, mass media, religion and the economy influence how individuals behave as members of society. Sociology will encourage you to develop critical insights into the way in which society operates. You will be encouraged to consider the various ways in which sociologists attempt to research society including observation techniques, interviewing, social surveys and personal documents. This is a great opportunity to gain important insights into the way individuals are influenced by social factors. Paper 1: Education with Research Methods The study of education explores the various processes which determine educational outcomes. This will include a consideration of factors within the school and factors relating to home background. Educational outcomes will be analysed about social class, ethnicity, gender, pupil subcultures and labelling. Students will be invited to consider the application of research methods in the study of education and social issues in general. This will involve the evaluation of contrasting research methods which will be explored in the classroom. Paper 2: Topics in Sociology - Families and Households: This topic explores the link between family and society. This will involve looking at the diversity of family life and related topics such as marriage, divorce and demographic changes. - Beliefs in Society: Late modern society is characterised by a range of different belief systems. This unit will explore different theories of religion, science and ideology. The significance of religion in the contemporary world will be examined about secularisation including the impact of sects, cults and new age beliefs. Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Method - In the contemporary world, much attention is given to the problem of crimes ranging from gangs to financial fraud and state crimes of torture. - This unit will examine different sociological accounts of criminality and deviance. The influence of the mass media and globalisation will also be considered. The study of suicide and the wider issue of researching crime will be used as examples. - The unit offers students the opportunity to explore sociological theory and method in greater depth and about debates concerned with science, value freedom and the influence of postmodernism.