Sociology

Course summary

Paper 1 (33.3%) Education with Theory and Methods Students will study the role and functions of the education system, including its relationship to the economy and to class structure. They will examine differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity in contemporary society and consider the relationships and processes within schools, with particular reference to teacher/pupil relationships, pupil identities and subcultures. This will include examining the research process and assessing the usefulness of a host of primary and secondary research methods, including survey design, interviews and participant observation. Paper 2 (33.3%): Topics in Sociology Students will study two topics: Family and Households and Beliefs in Society. The study of these topics should engage students in theoretical debate while encouraging an active involvement with the research process. They will assess contemporary social processes and change, and draw together the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt in different aspects of the course. Paper 3 (33.3%): Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods Students will examine crime, deviance, social order and social control while looking at the distribution of crime and deviance by ethnicity, gender and social class. They will study globalisation and crime in contemporary society; the media and crime; green crime; human rights and state crimes. Studying sociology will help develop your essay writing skills, allowing you to discuss different views on social issues in a critical and evaluative way. Being able to draw on a range of perspectives, evidence and contemporary issues is excellent preparation for university and employment. Sociology provides a strong understanding of social and political issues, past and present.