Department - Sociology

Why do individuals and groups of people behave in certain ways yet remain unpredictable?
Why are boys more likely to underachieve at school compared to girls?  How does the study of subcultures help us to understand youth crime? What are the solutions to crime? In what ways does the media influence individual behaviour and in what ways might this be harmful?

Sociology  offers a fascinating insight into the behaviour of individuals and groups and the ways in which we interact and are shaped by the institutions around us. Sociology delves deep to uncover hidden patterns and meanings of human behaviour, and offers intriguing explanations and solutions to many of the problems we face in society.

Sociology is a well established options subject, and is taught at both GCSE and A level. The department has a dedicated and well resourced teaching room which includes an interactive white board. Students have access to high quality visual  resources from a range of specialist Sociology DVDs as well as interactive teaching and learning materials via www.sociology.uk.net .

At GCSE, students study Crime & Deviance, the Mass Media, Inequality, Education, the Family, and social science research methods. This gives them a firm foundation and grounding in the basics and challenges the ways in which they see themselves and others in ways they were not expecting. Students learn to develop critical and analytical thinking skills which are an excellent basis for Advanced level study in the 6th form.

At AS level, many students come to Sociology  with no prior knowledge of the subject, and this is quite usual. Modules studied are The Family, Education and Sociological Research Methods. The AS level qualification is worth 50% of the total A level marks.

At A2 level, students explore Crime and Deviance in great detail, incorporating a range of Sociological theories and ideas. This is complemented by a thorough and in depth review of a range of research methods and their applicability to the study of both crime and society in general. The final area of study is Global Development, which looks at the relationship between developed and developing nations, the role of trade, aid and globalisation.  

Why you should  study Sociology?
Sociology enables students to understand the meaning of individual and group behaviour and the ways in which this is a product both of individual culture, socialisation and observable structures in society.

Sociology gives students a tremendous opportunity to:

• Develop their critical thinking skills
• Develop the use of interpretation and application
• Learn how to synthesise and evaluate
• Write well researched and structured essays.
• Become proficient researchers

ALSO

• Many  students who go to university find that they need to conduct some sort of research  or project based piece of assessed work. Sociology students find that themselves to be at a distinct advantage having been equipped with the necessary techniques at A level. 
• The focus on extended analytical writing also puts Sociology students at a distinct advantage when it comes to higher education as they are well prepared for the rigours of university life!
• Employers too, greatly value employees who can demonstrate high levels of literacy i.e:draft correspondence,write reports or– summarise arguments, all skills which Sociology students acquire through their studies here in the Sociology department!

 

 

Sociology CAREERS

List of Careers
Sociology as a degree can be used in a great many occupations.
First and foremost of course is a career in academia itself – leading to a Phd.
Because of the range and breadth of the subject matter and the skills acquired Sociology students are found in a diverse range of careers :
Researcher (policy think tank / charity / pressure group / political)
Lawyer
Teacher
Politician
Civil Servant
HR Manager
Media
Social Work
Psychiatric Nursing
Architecture

Architecture? Are you sure ? Well YES.Sociology students would know the links between youths and crime, they would know about the rising number of different family structures and changing patterns of demography and BECAUSE of that, they would have a better understanding of the ways in which crime can be designed OUT of new housing developments, and the best way of building for the future to cater for the increased number of single people, single parent, and extended families. In other words – Sociology students just KNOW STUFF!!!

WANT TO KNOW MORE? – there are some GREAT visual resources on www.podology.org.uk