Sociology
Sociology Curriculum Intent
Sociology at Preston Manor promotes inclusivity. We take into consideration the experiences of our students and barriers they may face and engage them with a full understanding of how society works.
Sociology allows students to explore and analyse topics that are relevant and at times controversial. This inspires and invigorates our students to engage with the subject and discuss and develop their knowledge on key social issues, such as gender inequality, poverty and knife crime. The curriculum challenges our students through a broad, coherent and rigorous course of study.
Our students are encouraged to debate contemporary social issues such as poverty and knife crime and apply sociological perspectives to their arguments. Students are taught the skills to critically evaluate key issues and challenge differing views on social issues from theories such as Marxism and Feminism.
KS4 Sociology
Sociology at KS4 offers students a challenging and thought provoking curriculum.
GCSE Sociology allows students to gain knowledge and understanding of key social structures, processes and issues through the study of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification. They will also understand and apply knowledge of how sociologists conduct their research through different research methods.
Students will develop their analytical, assimilation and communication skills by comparing and contrasting perspectives on a variety of social issues, constructing reasoned arguments, making substantiated judgements and drawing reasoned conclusions. Throughout the course they will gain knowledge on different theoretical perspectives on society, namely, Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism. This allows our students to develop their evaluative and analytical skills as they are asked to show an understanding of the debates within sociology.
By studying sociology, students will develop transferable skills including how to investigate facts and make deductions; develop opinions and new ideas on social issues and analyse and better understand the social world.
Course breakdown:
Paper 1: The Sociology of Families and Education (1 hour 45 minutes - 100 marks)
Paper 2: The Sociology of Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification (1 hour 45 minutes - 100 marks)
KS5 Sociology
The A level Sociology curriculum aims to enable our students to learn to think critically and independently about society and the diversity which its citizens experience. Students will develop an informed understanding of our rapidly changing world. Our students study a range of sociological concepts and topics over the two years. The curriculum is designed to allow students to build synoptic links throughout their learning and build on their knowledge of sociological theory and concepts. Students study Education with Methods in Context; Families and Households; Crime and Deviance; Beliefs in Society and Theory and Methods. Students gain extensive knowledge on a range of theories such as Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, Social Interactionism and Postmodernity which they apply to all topics studied. The department develops key skills needed to set our students in good stead for university and employment. Students develop their ability to critically analyse and evaluate in extended pieces and apply research methods and theoretical perspectives .
Course breakdown:
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology: Families and Households and Beliefs in Society
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods