Subject Intent: Why Sociology?
Sociology gives students the opportunity to study the social world and equips them with the appropriate skills and knowledge needed to be able to understand and explain the societal impact on an individual’s life chances. The curriculum is designed and delivered to encourage our students to challenge assumptions and develop their societal awareness. They will also develop skills and methods to investigate and communicate, providing key skills that are valuable for any field of employment that involves working with people, from careers in the public sector to media and business.
What will I study?
- Families and households: Changing patterns of family life, childhood, functions of the family, gender roles, and social policy.
- Education: Education policy, theories of the role of education in society, class, gender and ethnic differences in achievement.
- Beliefs: Theories of religious organisations including cults, the relationship between social groups, beliefs and practices, significance of religion in the contemporary world.
- Crime and deviance: Theories of crime, social patterns of crime, victims, prevention and punishment, global crime.
- Research methods: Surveys, interviews, observation, secondary sources.
- Sociological theories: Sociological views such as feminism, functionalism and postmodernism.
Sociology
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
In Sociology lessons, students engage in a range of learning activities including individual and group work, discussions and quizzes. Students are encouraged to discuss contemporary issues in society such as why people commit crime, or why social class affects educational achievement. Sociology is a subject that develops critical and analytical thinking skills, so students are encouraged to read, analyse and discuss sociological research and theories.
Students are supported in developing their essay writing and evaluation skills. In addition, the department invites professional sociologists to talk to students about their research into society.
What our
students
Being taught sociology at college has deepened my understanding of how society plays a role in different parts of our lives, it has also taught me how to use my critical thinking skills to develop and discern different perspectives surrounding a single topic in the subject. In the process it has also helped me create a matured understanding of society.
Stephen Green, Outwood Academy Adwick
