Term 1
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Introduction to Sociology
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Introduction to Sociology
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To know key debates within sociology including conflict versus consensus
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To understand how sociological knowledge and ideas change over time and how these ideas inform our understanding of the social world
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To have an awareness of the contextualised work (a sense of time and place) of key classical sociologists Durkheim, Marx and Weber referencing both their view of the world and their contribution to the development of the discipline
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To identify and explain different sociological perspectives on social structures, social processes and social issues, including those informed by: feminism, functionalism, interactionism and Marxism as specified in the topics listed below and key arguments (identified through reading and responding to extracts from key sociological texts.
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To understand the interrelationship between the core areas of sociology
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To identify and describe how to use sociological research methods as outlined in the topics and how they apply in the specified contexts ie families, education, crime and deviance, social stratification.
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To undertake small-scale research projects in order to develop their understanding of the practical difficulties faced by the sociologist.
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To explain social phenomena including: society, socialisation, norms, values, roles, labelling, discrimination, power and authority.
Research Methods
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Describe and explain the processes involved in research design: the establishment of appropriate aims and relevant hypotheses, the use of pilot studies, the selection of appropriate sampling methods and the analysis of data.
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Describe and explain qualitative and quantitative methods (questionnaires, interviews, observations) and assess the value, application, and strengths and weaknesses of different methods.
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Assess the usefulness of the mixed methods approach.
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Assess the usefulness of different types of data, qualitative and quantitative data, and official and non-official statistics
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Describe and explain primary and secondary sources of data
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Demonstrate the ability to interpret graphs, diagrams, charts and tables to discern patterns and trends in statistical data
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Practical issues including time, cost and access
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Ethical issues are consent, confidentiality and harm to participants and how the issues can be addressed.
Families
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identify, describe and explain the functions of families (sexual, reproductive, economic and educational)
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describe, compare and contrast a variety of sociological perspectives on the functions of families (functionalist, feminist and Marxist)
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Students should be able to identify, describe and explain various family forms (nuclear, extended, reconstituted, lone parent, single sex).
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identify, describe and explain joint and segregated conjugal roles
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describe and explain the domestic division of labour in both traditional and contemporary families
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demonstrate their understanding of issues that impact on conjugal role relationships within the contemporary family including decision making, money management, dual career families, child rearing and leisure activities
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describe, compare and contrast a variety of sociological perspectives on conjugal role relationships (functionalist, feminist and Marxist).
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identify, describe and explain how relationships within families have changed over time (pre-industrial, industrial and contemporary/modern)
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identify, describe and explain contemporary family related issues, the quality of parenting, the relationships between teenagers and adults, care of the disabled/elderly and arranged marriage
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describe, compare and contrast a variety of sociological perspectives on changing relationships within families (functionalist, feminist and Marxist)
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describe the key ideas of Willmott and Young.
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identify, describe and explain different criticisms of families
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describe, compare and contrast a variety of sociological perspectives on these issues (functionalist, feminist and Marxist)
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describe the key ideas of Zaretsky on families
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describe the key ideas of Delphy and Leonard on families.
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identify, describe and explain the pattern of divorce in Britain since 1945 using relevant statistical data
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explain reasons for the rise in divorce since 1945 including: changes in the law, changes in social attitudes and values, secularisation, changes in the status of women in society
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describe the consequences of divorce for family members (husband and wife, children and extended family) and the increase in the numbers of lone parent families
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describe, compare and contrast a variety of sociological perspectives on these issues (functionalist, feminist and Marxist).
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