Sociology

Our course topics Families and Households Education Mass Media Crime and Deviance

Families and Households Decline in marriage Increase in divorce Increase in cohabitation Diversity of family formations Role and purpose of the family in society Government policies that shape our families Changes in the domestic division of labour Domestic violence Child abuse Aging population

Education Differential educational achievement by gender, ethnicity and social class. Peer pressure Secondary Socialisation Subcultural Groups Hidden Curriculum Marketization of schools

Mass Media The relationship between ownership and control of the mass media. The mass media, globalisation and popular culture. The processes of selection and presentation of the content of the news. Media representations of age, social class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability. The relationship between the mass media, media content and presentation, and audiences. The new media and their significance for an understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society.

Crime and Deviance Criminal subcultures Drug trafficking, People trafficking, Cybercrime Environmental crimes by individuals, businesses and governments. State crime, Human rights abuses, War crimes and Genocide Suicide Crime rates Social Class, Age, Ethnicity Formal and Informal Social Control Conformity Punishment VS Rehabilitation

Assessment Paper 1 Education with Theory and Methods 2 hour written exam 80 marks 33.3% of A-level Paper 2 Topics in Sociology 2 hour written exam 80 marks 33.3% of A-level Section A: Family and Households Section B: The Media Paper 3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods 2 hour written exam 80 marks 33.3% of A-level

Careers ? A Sociologist Social Services Counselling Police Services Education Child care Social Research Civil Servant implementing social policy Local Government – Community Services Further Education Understanding people and society.

Skills? Critical Thinking – challenge what you are told Verbal Communication – articulate your thoughts Debating/Negotiating – listen and change Reflective Thinking – reconsider your position Analytical skills – compare and contrast Synthesising ideas – drawing together opposing views Evaluation – strengths and weaknesses of an argument Written Communication/ Expression/ Literacy

Families and Households Decline in marriage Increase in divorce Increase in cohabitation Diversity of family formations Role and purpose of the family in society Government policies that shape our families Changes in the domestic division of labour Domestic violence Child abuse Aging population

Education Differential educational achievement by gender, ethnicity and social class. Peer pressure Secondary Socialisation Subcultural Groups Hidden Curriculum Marketization of schools

Mass Media The relationship between ownership and control of the mass media. The mass media, globalisation and popular culture. The processes of selection and presentation of the content of the news. Media representations of age, social class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and disability. The relationship between the mass media, media content and presentation, and audiences. The new media and their significance for an understanding of the role of the media in contemporary society.

Crime and Deviance Criminal subcultures Drug trafficking, People trafficking, Cybercrime Environmental crimes by individuals, businesses and governments. State crime, Human rights abuses, War crimes and Genocide Suicide Crime rates Social Class, Age, Ethnicity Formal and Informal Social Control Conformity Punishment VS Rehabilitation

Functionalist Sociologist

Functionalist conception of society….

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Social control mechanisms (police/courts) are essential in maintaining social order.

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Durkheim Crime and deviance will arise when there is variance in norms and values. Strong individual commitment is “an integral part of all healthy societies”

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Durkheim Deviance is functional/beneficial: Strengthen social solidarity when we punish those that break the law.

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Durkheim It can be beneficial when people break norms and values and a new law is created.

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Durkheim Deviance can be beneficial when it challenges old laws and creates new ones.

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Durkheim It has brought about beneficial technological changes.

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Durkheim “All social change begins from deviance”

Progress Check Durkheim:

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Cohen Deviance is a safety valve: A harmless expression of discontent e.g. prostitution – provides a stress release to maintain family life. (Protects social order) Deviance is a warning device: e.g. truancy – discontent – fix.

Progress Check Cohen:

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Erikson Society is organised in a way that promotes crime and deviance in order that it carries out such positive functions e.g. school behaviour policy? Shirts? True function of agencies of social control is that to sustain certain level of crime in society rather than get rid of it (Labelling theories).

Progress Check Erikson:

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Hirischi People with commit acts of crime and deviance when their bond with society is weakened – 4 bonds. Attachment – A care of others opinions and wishes. Commitment – We each have our investments. Involvement – How busy we may be – time commitments. Beliefs that we hold – sense of obeying.

Progress Check Hirischi:

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Crime and Deviance is Functional! Evaluation? Webb

Functionalist Theories on Crime and Deviance Evaluation: Crit of Durkheim – How much crime should their be? When does it become a problem for society? Society does not create crime with the intention of advancing social solidarity. Functional for whom? Crime is not functional for all members of society – seeing a murderer punished may benefit a community but still be harmful for the family. Rather than promote solidarity, crime breaks society down, staying in doors/ disputes/ divisions.

Developing your Written Communication/ Expression/ Literacy skills. Knowledge Understanding Interpretation/ Application Analysis Evaluation

Sociology Summer Task Handwrite an essay of at least two sides which will: ‘Outline and evaluate the Functionalist view of the role of crime and deviance in our society.’ Use the powerpoint provided on your induction day, plus any of your own research to include: 1.Key names of sociologists 2.The Functionalist key terms 3.And any examples of crimes that would illustrate the point.