Aims of the course: 

• Develop an understanding of how society can influence the behaviours of groups and individuals 

• Develop critical evaluative skill, judging the accuracy and relevance of sociological theories and judging the strength of evidence to support theories 

• Develop an empathy for social inequality and the causes of inequality  

Content: 

Families and Households: learn the role of the family, how the family changes in modern society, childhood, changes in marriage and divorce. 

Education: learn the role of education, why different social groups achieve different grades, how policy and globalisation has affected education.  

Research Methods: learn the different research methods sociologists use to research society, and the extent to which each method can be trusted to give accurate and consistent results.  

Crime and Deviance: Learn the cause of crime, how to prevent crime, why different social groups commit crime at different rates or are more likely to be victims of crime, as well contemporary crime issues like green crime, state crime and the medias’ role in crime  

Media: Learn how owners and audiences control the content of media, the impact of new media on society, why social groups are represented in stereotypical ways and the ways media affects the behaviours and beliefs of audiences. 

Theory: Learn the major differing perspectives in sociology (functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism, post modernism) as well as wider debates regarding whether sociology should influence politicians, be considered a science and whether sociologists should embrace or reject bias and personal beliefs.  

Curriculum map