Welcome to A2 Sociology at Haringey Sixth Form Centre

A2 Sociology

Course Handbook

2010-2011

Contents

Contents / Page
Introduction to the course / 3
Introducing your teachers / 3
What is Sociology? / 4
Aims and objectives of the course / 5
Course Structure / 5
Our expectations / 14
Assessing your progress / 14
Improving your performance / 15
Reading list / 16
Resources / 17

Welcome to A2 Sociology at Haringey Sixth Form Centre…

And congratulations on your success at AS Sociology!

You are now a fully-fledged Sociologist and have only got to this point by developing many new skills and building up a huge bank of knowledge. A2 Sociology is a continuation of the AS and adds to your knowledge and builds on the skills you have already developed.

This handbook should be used in conjunction with your AS Course handbook, as a guide to the subject, the facilities and the resources available to you.

It includes information on the structure of the course and assessment, study skills, reading lists and the staff. We will be using this booklet throughout the course, but especially in the first few weeks, so keep it at the front of your folder.

Best wishes,

______(Course tutors)

Staff

You will be taught by either ______or ______, although other members of the department will be able to help you with your work in the study centre.

We are based in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science on the first floor. Our email addresses are ______and ______. This is the best way of contacting us, but you can also phone on 0208 376 5935

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of how human societies shape the lives of the people who live in them. People make lots of decisions in the course of living every day. But we make these decisions within the context of "society"; our family, school, nation and the larger world. In A2 Sociology, we focus much more on the inequalities and differences that exist both within the UK and in the world.

Did you know that if the world were a village of 100 people…

51 would be male
67 would be adults, half of whom cannot write
16 would be children who have been immunized against the preventable infectious diseases
1 would have HIV but probably not yet have developed a full-blown case of AIDS
82 would be non-white
2 would be new-born babies
1 would be near death
11 would be adult women who would at some point have been beaten, abused or forced to have sex against their will
2 would have tried or be using cannabis
1 would have a college education.

As well as this…

80 would live in housing you’d not consider to be fit for habitation
39 would lack access to improved sanitation
18 people would be overweight
50 wouldn’t have enough to eat and would be suffering from malnutrition and 1 would be dying of starvation
33 wouldn’t have access to safe water
24 would not have access to electricity
Of the 76 people who do have access to electricity, most only use it to provide light at night
There would be 42 radios, 24 televisions, 14 telephones and 7 computers
7 people would own a car or van of some sort
7 people would have access to the internet
5 people would own 32% of the entire wealth of the village (and they all come from the USA)
33 people would be trying to survive on just 33% of the entire wealth of the village
83% of the fertilizer would be used on just 40% of the crop land – the land owned by the richest 27% people. The remaining 60% of the land would produce 28% of the grain and have to feed 73 of the people
1 person would have control of enough nuclear weapons to vaporize the village many times over.

Aims and Objectives of the course

By studying A2 Sociology you will build on the skills you developed during your AS year and, in addition, develop:

Knowledge and awareness of the values and attitudes of individuals, social groups, and society as a whole and socially accepted codes of behaviour;

Skill in reasoning about matters concerning the values, attitudes and actions of individuals and groups in society;

Ability to make informed and responsible judgements on issues of spiritual, moral and cultural significance to individuals, groups, and society in general;

Awareness of the consequences of personal, group and societal conduct and of social change.

Course structure (AQA)

A2 Sociology is divided into two units:

SCLY 3 – Mass Media

Content

Defining mass media
Ownership and control (pluralist Vs Marxist theories)
Globalisation and popular culture
New media
Selection & presentation of the news
Moral panics
Media effects (effects of media violence)
Representations of the body, gender, ethnicity, age & disability)

How is this unit assessed?

You will take a 1½ hour written exam. On the exam paper, there are 3 short answer questions and a choice of two essay questions.

What is this unit worth?

This unit makes up 40% of the marks available on the A2 course.

SCLY 4 – Crime and deviance with theory and methods

Content:

Crime and deviance

Defining crime and deviance
The social construction of crime and deviance
Theories of crime:
functionalist, Marxist, interactionist, subcultural, right realist, left realist, environmental, post-modern
Crime and the effects of globalisation
State crime
Green crime
The distribution of crime by region, gender, ethnicity and class

Theory and methods

Is sociology a science?
Positivism vs interpretive approaches
Consensus vs conflict
Structure vs social action
Relationship between theory and methods
Relationship between sociology and social policy

You will also be asked a question on methods in context which will focus on the advantages/disadvantages of using certain methods to research various aspects of crime and deviance.

How is this unit assessed?

You will take a written exam lasting 2 hours. You answer 2 questions on crime and deviance, 2 short questions on methods in context and an essay question on theory and methods. There is no choice of question on this paper.

What is this unit worth?

This unit makes up 60% of the marks available on the A2 course.

Guide to the Unit 3 Exam – SCLY3 (Media)

20% of A Level
1 hour 30 minutes
60 marks
One compulsory source-based question + one essay question from a choice of two.

The Source-Based Question

You will be presented with a source – this could be an extract from a publication, article or book. Make sure you examine it carefully! Your answers to parts (a) and (b) need to make reference to the source.

This question will be divided into parts (a) and (b):

Part (a):

-Worth 9 marks

-Will start ‘Identify and briefly explain three (problems, reasons, advantages, changes, trends etc)…’.

-You will be awarded one mark for each correct problem, reason, advantage, change or trend identified.

-You will get two further marks for a satisfactory explanation.

-Your answer to this question should be list-like. Keep your explanations brief and concise.

-You do not need to be evaluative!

-You should aim to answer this question in 10 minutes.

Part (b):

-Worth 18 marks

-Will start ‘Using material from Item X and elsewhere, assess the view that…’.

-As the question suggests, you should look at the source to identify suitable examples, arguments and evidence to support the view you are assessing, but you are also required to apply your own sociological knowledge.

-This is not an essay question, so you are not required to provide alternative views to the one in the question, just assess the view that is expressed.

-Start your answer by briefly identifying and explaining the view in the question.

-Then assess it i.e. consider the validity of the view in the question and the quantity and quality of evidence that exists to support this view.

-It is expected that you will make demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of key concepts, theories and studies relating to the view outlined in the question and that you will be able to offer a thorough evaluation of the view and the evidence used to support it.

-You should aim to answer this question in 20 minutes.

-The marks for this question are allocated as follows:

AO1: Knowledge & Understanding – 6 marks

AO2:Interpretation, Application, Analysis and Evaluation – 12 marks

The Essay Question

You have to choose one of the two essay questions. Make sure you read both questions carefully and think about which one you should answer.
These questions will normally start with a statement which reflects a particularly view or opinion. You will then be asked ‘To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this view?’.
The attached essay feedback sheet shows you how the marks are allocated for this question.
Please note that this is an ESSAY question – it requires a full debate i.e.

-A detailed knowledge and understanding of relevant theories.

-A detailed discussion and evaluation of theories, evidence and examples.

-An exploration of views that offer a counterpoint to the view expressed in the question.

This question is worth over half the total marks available for this unit. Please make sure you allow adequate time to plan and write a detailed answer.
You should be spending about 5 minutes planning your answer and 50 minutes answering the question.

Quality of written communication

You will be assessed on the quality of your written communication.
It is crucial that you make every effort to achieve a high standard of spelling, grammar and punctuation.
You need to use sociological language and ensure that your answers are clearly structured and well-presented.

Guide to the Unit 4 exam: (SCLY 4) Crime & Deviance and Theory & Methods

This exam is worth 60% of the total A2 marks. The paper is marked out of a total of 90 marks. It is 2 hours long and consists of 3 sections:

Crime and Deviance – 45 minutes
Methods in Context – 30 minutes
Theory and methods – 45 minutes

Section 1 – Crime and Deviance
1 / 12 marks
(15 mins) / This is a list question. You will need to examine a range of factors, reasons, changes features, etc. Over half of the marks available are for AO1.
This question will start with ‘Examine...’
Example question: ‘Examine some of the ways in which crime and globalisation may be related.’
2 / 21 marks
(30 mins) / This is an essay question. You need to debate the view given in the question – assessing the arguments and evidence for and against. It is crucial that you evaluate throughout. Over the half the marks are available for AO2.
You also need to make use of the information in the source material (Item A).
The question will start with ‘Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the view that...’
Example question: ‘Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the view that ethnic differences in crime rates are the result of the ways in which the criminal justice system operates.’
Section 2 – Methods in Context
3 / 9 marks
(10 mins) / A brief list of three factors, functions, reasons, advantages, disadvantages, etc. These questions do NOT require you to evaluate, but you should explain each point.
Will start with ‘Identify and briefly explain three...’
Example question: ‘Identify and briefly explain three problems of using qualitative methods and/or sources of data to study suicide.’
NB. These 9 marks may sometimes be spread over two briefer questions e.g. questions that only ask you to identify and briefly explain one/two advantages, disadvantages, etc.
4 / 15 marks
(20 mins) / This question requires you to apply your knowledge and understanding of research methods to the study of a particular issue in crime and deviance. Over half the marks are available for AO2.
You also need to make use of the information in the source material (Item B).
The question will start with ‘Using material from Item B and elsewhere, assess the strengths and limitations of (method/type of data) as a means of investigating (aspect of crime and deviance).’
Example questions: ‘Using material from Item B and elsewhere, assess the strengths and limitations of unstructured interviews as a means of investigating victims of crime.’
Section 3 – Theory and Methods
4 / 33 marks
(45 mins) / This is an essay question. You need to debate the topic given in the question – assessing the arguments and evidence for and against. It is crucial that you evaluate throughout. Over half the marks available are for AO2.
Example question: ‘Feminism has revolutionized sociology by placing women at the centre of its analysis of society. However, whilst all feminist share this starting point, there are now many different ‘feminisms’ within sociology.’
Assess the contribution of feminist theories and researchers to an understanding of society today.

Example questions

These lists are not definitive – i.e. these are just some of the questions that may be asked. This is to familiarize you with the type of questions and the format of the questions that you will find on the unit 4 exam paper, but it would be a good idea to try to add some of your own to the list.

Question 1 – Crime and Deviance
a) / 12 marks
(15 mins) /

Examine some of the reasons for the formation of deviant subcultures.
Examine some of the reasons for the ‘invisibility’ of corporate and white collar crime.
Examine some of the reasons why people do not commit crime.
Examine some of the reasons why women appear to commit less crime than men.
Examine some of the features of moral panics.
Examine some of the reasons why someone may choose not to report to the police that they have been the victim of crime.
Examine some of the criticisms of official crime statistics.
Examine the relationship between time and place and patterns of offending.

b) / 21 marks
(30 mins) / Using information from Item A and elsewhere...

Assess the usefulness of conflict theories for an understanding of crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of subcultural theories for an understanding of crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of Marxist theories for an understanding of crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of functionalist theories for an understanding of crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of feminist theories for an understanding of crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of realist theories for an understanding of crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of interactionist (labelling) theories in understanding crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of official statistics to a sociological understanding of crime.
Assess methods of discovering information about the amount of different types of crime.
Assess the view that white-collar and corporate crime is under-represented in criminal statistics.
Assess sociological explanations of gender differences in rates of crime and deviance.
Assess sociological explanations of ethnic differences in rates of crime and deviance.
Assess the usefulness of quantitative and/or qualitative sources of data in studying suicide.
Assess the relationship between crime and the mass media.

Question 2 – Methods in Context
a) / 9 marks
(10 mins) /

Identify and briefly explain three problems of using qualitative methods and/or sources of data to study suicide.
Identify and briefly explain three advantages of using a questionnaire to investigate young people’s attitudes to illegal drugs.
Identify and briefly explain three advantages of using unstructured interviews to investigate victim’s experiences of domestic violence.
Identify and briefly explain three disadvantages of using covert observation to study criminal gangs.

b) / 15 marks
(20 mins) / Using material from Item B and elsewhere...

Assess the strengths and limitations of unstructured interviews as a means of investigating victims of crime.
Assess the strengths and limitations of using postal questionnaires to investigate the reasons why some victims of crime may not choose to report to the police.
Assess the strengths and limitations of using participant observation to investigate illegal drug use by young people.
Assess the strengths and limitations of using structured interviews to investigate the public’s perceptions of the police.

Question 3 – Theory and Methods
33 marks /

Assess the contribution of feminist theories and researchers to an understanding of society today.
Assess the view that some perspectives, such as functionalism and the New Right, seek only to justify the existing social structure.
Assess the influence of postmodernism for an understanding of society.
‘Marxism and other theories of social conflict are irrelevant to an understanding of modern society.’ Assess the extent to which sociological arguments and evidence support this view.
‘Sociological theories based on consensus are more useful in understanding contemporary society that those based on conflict.’ Evaluate the sociological arguments and evidence for this view.
Assess the usefulness of structural approaches to our understanding of society.
‘Every sociological perspective has its limitations. However, some are more useful than others for understanding society.’ Assess this view.

Choice of topic and method in sociological research are more likely to be made on practical rather than ideological, theoretical or ethical grounds.’ To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this view of sociological research?

Evaluate the view that sociological arguments and research findings generally have little influence on the social policies of government.

‘As researchers are also members of society it is impossible for them to be objective and value-free in planning and conducting their research.’ To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this view?

‘The study of sociology cannot and should not be seen as scientific.’ To what extent do sociological arguments and evidence support this view.

Exam Dates

SCLY 4 (Unit 4) Crimes & Deviance with Theory &Methods

Tues 25th Jan – AM – 2 hour exam

SCLY 3 (Unit 3) Media

Wed 15th June – PM – 1 hour 30 minutes