“The difficulty, in sociology, is to manage to think in a completely astonished and disconcerted way about things you thought you had always understood.” – Pierre Bourdieu
Sociology is the study of the development, structure and functioning of human society, including the study of social problems.
Sociology students will be curious and motivated to learn more about key sociological issues within British society. They will develop a greater understanding and awareness of social, political, legal and educational changes in society and their implications. They will develop a greater sense of tolerance and understanding of class, gender and ethnic diversity and differences in society and of the role and purpose of key institutions. Students will be encouraged to think independently, open their minds, question social structures and be aware of contemporary social issues.
Key information:
GCSE Specification
Curriculum Progression
Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
At Key Stage 4, sociology students develop their understanding of the social world and our behaviour in it. Students will study the topics:
- Education
- Families & Households
- Crime and Deviance
- Social Stratification
Within each of the topics above, students will explore issues such as inequality, the distribution and use of power and experiences of different social groups in society. The course is designed to challenge student thinking and developing their understanding about how social processes and structures in society work and how societies influence us and shape our lives. For example, why are there such vast differences in the crime rates of men and women? Sociology attempts to answer questions such as these by discussing the social factors which shape our behaviour. The course is designed to be challenging but also contemporary, topical, and relevant using documentaries and the news to make links with the theoretical content of the course.
Curriculum Plan
