Welcome to Sociology with Mrs Ashford

Objectives: Names and Introductions What is Sociology? What topics will you learn about and discuss? Induction work, textbook, blog – www.stcmsoc.wordpress.com

What is Sociology? Sociology explores the social world around us. It is the scientific study of society and human behaviour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdUtCAXAUM&feature=fvsr

What Sociology isn’t about Sociology is not looking at an individuals behaviour Sociology is not a subject that has one answer for any of the questions that it asks Sociology is not an easy option

Sociology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYKwvXfhCKw

Video clip – fires in Lewisham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC5RQ5YbCXs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMvuoGji3yU

The Riots of August 2011 Video clip – riots in Tottenham

are attempting to carry out an arrest. Thursday August 4th 18:15 BST - Mark Duggan, 29, is shot dead by police at Ferry Lane, Tottenham. The death occurs during an operation where specialist firearm officers and officers from Operation Trident, are attempting to carry out an arrest. Mr Duggan is a passenger in a minicab and is shot after an apparent exchange of fire. A police officer's radio is later found to have a bullet lodged in it. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) announces it will investigate the incident and later says it believes two shots were fired by police. It also confirms that an illegal firearm was recovered from the scene. Operation Trident, the unit which deals with gun crime in the African and Caribbean communitie

What do you think were the causes of these riots? Discussion question What do you think were the causes of these riots? For whole class discussion.

Sociological Explanations The rioting helped to highlight what is wrong with our society Poverty and deprivation caused by inequalities in the social system Poor upbringing – deviant values of underclass youths Media labelling youth as criminal Social exclusion – communities of poorer people who feel left out or ignored Gang status or peer group pressure Racism – the police assuming ethnic minorities are criminal Crowd behaviour – diffusion of responsibility Greed caused by a materialistic society

If you’ve thought about these kind of things you will love Sociology. Should the government ban private schools and tutoring to pass 11+ exams so that every child has equal opportunities ? Will males and females ever be equal? Are they already equal? Are their differences due to biology or society? What would be the best way to tackle crime, preventing poverty or increasing prison sentences to act as a deterrent? Is it fair that some people are rich and some are poor – can the poor be blamed for their situation? Is it fair that some jobs seem easy but pay well while other really hard jobs are poorly paid? Why are girls achieving higher grades in education than boys?

Sociological perspectives Induction Task This is due on 1st day of term without exception !

Functionalism Society is seen as a web of systems which all rely upon each other for example the family, the economy, law and order, politics, the culture of society, all bind together to make it work. If one part fails then society will dysfunction, just like a body would if an organ failed.

Marxism To Karl Marx progress and change is driven by a desire for profit in a capitalist system. The richest few at the top (Bourgeoisie) exploit the lower classes (Proletariat) by making a profit from their labour. The Bourgeoisie are a minority in society and fear uprising and rebellion so the masses are controlled through institutions like education, media and religion.

Feminism Feminists believe that the main conflict in society is not between social classes but between genders. They believe that society is Patriarchal (meaning males run society in their own interests). Feminists have campaigned since the Suffragettes in late 19th C to gain equality for women.  

Interactionism Society is created through the actions of individuals and how we interpret the world around us (everyone is unique and has free-will to change society for better or worse). Interactionists believe that some people become negatively labelled through their dealings with others and this can affect how they live their lives. For example, if a teenager is labelled as a ‘chav’ this might affect how they behave in the future and on a wider scale affect society as a whole.

Post Modernism None of the old perspectives are adequate to explain how society works since it is in constant change. Changes include, multiculturalism, globalisation, changing gender roles, lack of trust in traditional authorities like scientists or politicians, the shrinking of time and space through technology, consumerism and global risks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeoKQbT8BKs

Plenary What does Functionalism compare society to? What did Marx call the two classes battling for power? What was the Feminist name for male dominance? Which perspective uses the term ‘labelling’? Changes in modern society can be illustrated by what social network?