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Sociology

Why study Sociology?

Sociology is available as a Key Stage 4 option subject.

Sociology studies how society works. It will help you to understand how individuals fit into a wider social network and encourage you to question beliefs about society which you may have previously taken for granted. Sociologists are interested in why society works in the way that it does and the extent to which our behaviour and opportunities can be shaped by our social class, age, gender and race.

If you want to understand how an individual has grown into the person they are today, you might look at their family, education or cultural background. Sociologists look at how wider society shapes us and influences our beliefs and behaviours. If you are the kind of person that likes to ask questions about the world around you, then sociology is the subject for you.

These are some of the questions that you will look at in Sociology:

  • Are all ‘hoodies’ hooligans?
  • Why are young black people eight times more likely to be stopped and searched than white people?
  • Why do girls do better at school than boys?
  • What is gang culture?
  • What does it mean to be poor in Britain today?

Sociology is about your life and the world around you. It is a subject that you will have experience of and one that will help you understand many aspects of your future. You can bring your own life events and ideas into the classroom in a way you might not be able to with other subjects. It helps you understand that the society we are presented with is not always the true picture and it will help you understand who is trying to manipulate your ideas and why they are trying to do that. If you know this, you can make more informed choices about your lives and your future.

What Makes A Good Sociology Student?

You need to be open minded. Some things that you “know” are not always accurate. You will need to be able to analyse the information given to you and make decisions about its accuracy and representativeness. You will need to be able to view society from many different perspectives – and accept that different people see the same concept in different ways. You will also be able to listen to and accept the views of others – even if you do not agree with them.

 

Year 11 Sociology Revision Resources

Year 10 Sociology Revision Resources

Key Stage 3 Sociology Revision Resources