Sociology

Course summary

In Sociology there are three compulsory units in Year 12: Education, Methods in Context and Research Methods. Students will also study the topic of Families and Households. In the Education and Research Methods paper, we study the role and function of the education system - whether education is fair and if it promotes or hinders social mobility. Alongside this unit we also study Research Methods, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of methods and considering which are the most suitable within different contexts of the study of education. In Families and Households, students explore how the family has changed over time due to social and political changes and what functions it performs for society and the individual. We examine contemporary issues including the impact of globalisation on demography as well as the increasing diversity of family types. In Year 13 students study Crime and Deviance Theory and methods and Beliefs in Society. Year two of the A level takes a deeper and broader exploration into sociological theory as well as further considering issues surrounding research methods. In the Crime and Deviance unit students are encouraged to consider the social profile of those who commit crimes and explore in detail the theory explaining crime and deviance. The unit examines the role of punishment in society and its effectiveness for all stakeholders: victims, individuals and society as a whole, how society deals with offenders and the effects crime has on societies. Students study broad sociological theory building on their understanding of methods from year 12. In Beliefs in Society we consider the role and function of religion; students deepen their understanding of the sociological perspectives and explore the validity of science as a modern belief system. At A level students develop deep and sophisticated skills of analysis and evaluation and are coached on how to write with flare demonstrating a critical understanding.