Fri Sep 10 2010

Sociology

This subject is available for our A-level students

Sociology is an established, successful and popular option for study in the Sixth Form at WGSG. It is a subject that will develop student’s critical thinking and awareness of the society they live in. We like to think of ourselves as unique, but as the poet John Donne said ‘No man is an island’ (nowadays he would say that applies to women too). Sociology enables the student to develop an understanding of how people live together in social groups, how we are affected by the people around us and how we only become fully ‘human’ by participating in society. It is therefore a thought provoking analysis of social institutions such as the family, the education system, religion, the media and the justice system.

Sociology provides an arena for structured debate and discussion within the classroom, which all students are encouraged to take part in. This is however a subject rooted in research and theoretical models of how we live. The course therefore demands that the student apply their literary skills to the development of essays which show not only knowledge and understanding of a variety of debates, but also a critical evaluation of strengths and weaknesses in an argument.

We endeavour to produce individuals that are willing to:

  • discover what happens to different groups of people in society.
  • question what most people accept about the society they live in.
  • challenge their own opinions about the society around them.

Throughout the sociology course students will be encouraged to develop their awareness of contemporary issues through current affairs programmes and newspapers. The keen and committed sociologists will apply their studies to their day to day living and will be curious about their world to question all they see and read. In fact sociology will be a way of looking at the world that will affect students long after they complete the course.

The Sociology Department is committed to bringing the subject to life. Students will be given the opportunity to attend a conference to listen to sociologists debating issues, have access to journals showcasing new research and a wide variety of challenging resources. We also encourage students to present their research to their peers and therefore be active in their own learning. This is altogether an exciting subject that has inspired our students to pursue Sociology and a variety of associated courses at University.