* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download AS Handbook
Survey
Document related concepts
Social constructionism wikipedia , lookup
Social Darwinism wikipedia , lookup
Social exclusion wikipedia , lookup
Social network wikipedia , lookup
Social development theory wikipedia , lookup
Symbolic interactionism wikipedia , lookup
Necla Kelek wikipedia , lookup
Structural functionalism wikipedia , lookup
Differentiation (sociology) wikipedia , lookup
Social group wikipedia , lookup
Sociology of the family wikipedia , lookup
Sociology of terrorism wikipedia , lookup
Public sociology wikipedia , lookup
Sociology of culture wikipedia , lookup
Sociological theory wikipedia , lookup
Index of sociology articles wikipedia , lookup
Transcript
Student Handbook www.goffssociology.wordpress.com Twitter: @goffssociology What Is Sociology? Sociology is the study of society. It is a very broad subject that examines how humans interact with each other and how human behaviour is shaped by ‘social structures’ (groups, communities, organizations), social categories (age, sex, class, race, etc.), and ‘social institutions’ (politics, religion, education, etc.). The basic foundation of sociology is the belief that a person's attitudes, actions, and opportunities are shaped by all of these aspects of society. Therefore, ‘sociological perspectives’ look at how: individuals belong to groups; groups influence our behaviour; groups take on characteristics that are independent of their members (i.e. the whole is greater than the sum of its parts); and sociologists focus on behaviour patterns of groups, such as differences based on sex, race, age, class, etc. Origins Sociology originated from and was influenced by the industrial revolution during the early nineteenth century. There are seven major founders of sociology: August Comte, W.E.B. Du Bois, Emile Durkheim, Harriet Martineau, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, and Max Weber. August Comte is thought of as the "Father of Sociology" as he coined the term sociology in 1838. He believed that society should be understood and studied as it was, rather than what we want it to be. He was the first to recognize that the path to understanding the world and society was based in science. W.E.B. Du Bois, for example, was an early American sociologist who laid the groundwork for sociology of race and ethnicity and contributed important analyses of American society in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. Emile Durkheim – one of sociology’s founding fathers Marx, Spencer, Durkheim, and Weber helped define and develop sociology as a science and discipline, each contributing important theories and concepts still used and understood in the field today. Harriet Martineau was a British scholar and writer who was also fundamental to establishing the sociological perspective, who wrote prolifically about the relationship between politics, morals, and society, as well as sexism and gender roles. Current Approaches Today there are two main approaches to studying sociology. The first is macrosociology, or the study of society as a whole. This approach emphasizes the analysis of social systems and populations on a large scale and at a high level of theoretical abstraction. Macro-sociology does concern individuals, families, and other aspects of society, but it always does so in relation to the larger social system to which they belong. The second approach is micro-sociology, or the study of small group behaviour. This approach focuses on the nature of everyday human social interactions on a small scale. At the micro level, social status and social roles are the most important components of social structure and micro-sociology is based on the ongoing interactions between these social roles. Much contemporary sociological research and theory bridges these two approaches. Marxism is one of the key perspectives in sociology. It sees the world as unfairly set up in favour of the rich and powerful. It is a macro approach as it sees all of society set up unjustly. Key Areas of Sociology (you only study a few on these) Sociology is a very broad and diverse field. There are many different topics and scopes in the field of sociology, some of which are relatively new. The following are some of the major areas of research and application within the field of sociology. Globalization: The sociology of globalization focuses on the economic, political, and cultural aspects and implications of a globally integrated society. Many sociologists focus on the way capitalism and consumer goods connect people all over the world, migration flows, and issues of inequality in global society. Race and Ethnicity: The sociology of race and ethnicity examines the social, political, and economic relations between races and ethnicities at all levels of society. Topics commonly studied include racism, residential segregation, and the differences in social processes between racial and ethnic groups. Family: The sociology of family examines things such as marriage, divorce, child rearing, and domestic abuse. Specifically, sociologists study how these aspects of the family are defined in different cultures and times and how they affect individuals and institutions. Class (Social Inequality): The study of social inequality examines the unequal distribution of power, privilege, and prestige in society. These sociologists study differences and inequalities in social class, race, and gender. Demography: Demography refers to a population's composition. Some of the basic concepts explored in demography include birth rate, fertility rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, and migration. Demographers are interested in how and why these demographics vary between societies, groups, and communities. Health and Illness: Sociologists who study health and illness focus on the social effects of, and societal attitudes towards, illnesses, diseases, disabilities, and the aging process. This is not to be confused with medical sociology, which focuses on medical institutions such as hospitals, clinics, and physician offices as well as the interactions among physicians. Education: The sociology of education is the study of how educational institutions determine social structures and experiences. In particular, sociologists might look at how different aspects of educational institutions (teacher attitudes, peer influence, school climate, school resources, etc.) affect learning and other outcomes. Religion: The sociology of religion concerns the practice, history, development, and roles of religion in society. These sociologists examine religious trends over time, how various religions affect social interactions both within the religion and outside of it, and relations within religious institutions. Is sociology any use beyond school? Most universities offer Sociology as a degree option. Also, many universities offer sociological sub-topics as degree options too. These include: Anthropology Political science International studies Criminology Social policy Sociology is also a good A level choice for students considering studying history, marketing and business studies at university. Many occupations involve working with different groups within society and Sociology may help your career choices. For example, these could include: Academia Politics Non-profit organisation Social work Police Teaching Journalism Civil service Local Authority/government Marketing Health management AS – Year Overview (Specific content is on the next page) Autumn Term First Half Introduction to sociological theories and perspectives Introduction into sociological methods Autumn Term Second Half Sociology of Education Methods in context (researching education) Spring Term First Half Finish methods in context (how do we research education) Families and Households Spring Term Second Half Continue with Families and Household Start revision AS - Subject content Key Ideas All the following must be a part of each topic area you study: Sociological theories, perspectives and methods (i.e. Marxism, Functionalism and Feminism). The design of the research used to obtain the data under consideration, including its strengths and limitations. Attention must be given to drawing out the links between topic areas studied. Core themes You must study the following two core themes: Education and Families and Households. In addition, students must understand the significance of conflict and consensus, social structure and social action, and the role of values. Contemporary UK society The central focus of study in this specification should be on UK society today, with consideration given to comparative dimensions where relevant, including the siting of UK society within its globalised context. First Area of Research Methods and Topics in Sociology Students must examine the following areas: quantitative and qualitative methods of research; research design sources of data, including questionnaires, interviews, participant and non-participant observation, experiments, documents and official statistics the distinction between primary and secondary data, and between quantitative and qualitative data the relationship between positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods; the nature of ‘social facts’ the theoretical, practical and ethical considerations influencing choice of topic, choice of method(s) and the conduct of research. Second Topic Area – Sociology of Education You are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content: the role and functions of the education system, including its relationship to the economy and to class structure differential educational achievement of social groups by social class gender and ethnicity in contemporary society relationships and processes within schools, with particular reference to teacher/pupil relationships, pupil identities and subcultures, the hidden curriculum, and the organisation of teaching and learning the significance of educational policies, including policies of selection, marketisation and privatisation, and policies to achieve greater equality of opportunity or outcome, for an understanding of the structure, role, impact and experience of and access to education; the impact of globalisation on educational policy. Third Topic Area - Methods in Context You must be able to apply sociological research methods to the study of education. Forth Topic Area - Families and Households You are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content: the relationship of the family to the social structure and social change, with particular reference to the economy and to state policies changing patterns of marriage, cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the life course, including the sociology of personal life, and the diversity of contemporary family and household structures gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships within the family in contemporary society the nature of childhood, and changes in the status of children in the family and society demographic trends in the United Kingdom since 1900: birth rates, death rates, family size, life expectancy, ageing population, and migration and globalisation. Paper 1: Education with Methods in Context What's assessed Education and Methods in Context Assessed 1 hour 30 minutes written exam 60 marks 50% of AS level Questions Education: short answer and extended writing, 40 marks Methods in Context: extended writing, 20 marks Paper 2: Research Methods and Topics in Sociology What's assessed Section A: Research Methods Section B: Families and Households Assessed 1 hour 30 minutes written exam 60 marks 50% of AS level Questions Section A: short answer and extended writing, 20 marks and Section B: short answer and Paper 2: Research Methods and Topics in Sociology extended writing, 40 marks Assessment Aims The study of Sociology must focus on contemporary society and foster the development of critical and reflective thinking with a respect for social diversity. It must provide an awareness of the importance of social structure and social action in explaining social issues. You must be encouraged to develop your own sociological awareness through active engagement with the contemporary social world. These specifications have been designed with the clear objective of addressing the requirements above and will encourage students to: acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of contemporary social processes and social changes appreciate the significance of theoretical and conceptual issues in sociological debate understand and evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods through active involvement in the research process develop skills that enable individuals to focus on their personal identity, roles and responsibilities within society develop a lifelong interest in social issues. A01, A02 and A03 Assessment You will be assessed on three things. These are: AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: sociological theories, concepts and evidence AO2: Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues AO3: Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods in order to: present arguments make judgements draw conclusions. Recommended Books (ensure you buy the 2015 editions) Webb, et. al. (2008) Sociology Book One: introducing AS level (AQA) (Brentwood: Napier Press) Brown, D. et. Al. (2015) Sociology for A Level Book 1 (Hodder Education) Browne, K. (2015) Sociology for AQA Volume 1 (Wiley-Blackwell) Jonathan Blundell, Patrick McNeill, Janis Griffiths (2015) AS Sociology (NelsonThornes) Moore, S. et. al. (2015) – Sociology AS for AQA (Hammersmith: HaperCollinsPublishing) NEW EDITION Newbold, C. et. al. (2015) – AQA Sociology (AS) (Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes) NEW EDITION