BOOKS: DAWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOL Syllabus 2013-2014 Subject Sociology Syllabus Code 2251 Class X Active Sociology for GCSE Advanced Sociology A Level An Introduction to Sociology Sociology Alivel, 3rd Ed Core Aims: The aims of the syllabus for GCSE Sociology are set below and describe the educational purposes of a course in sociology for the examinations. The aims are not listed in order of priority. The aims are: To provide an introduction to sociological concepts, theories, methods and research findings. To stimulate awareness of the range and limitations of sociological theory and research. To encourage candidates to explore and understand the relationship between sociological findings and everyday life. To promote and appreciation and understanding of individual social and cultural diversity. To explore and understand the relationship between sociological findings and contemporary social, cultural and political issues. To promote understanding of continuity and change in social life. To develop an understanding of sociological method, including the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. To study sociological principles, perspectives and applications. To develop the skills of communication, interpretation analysis and evaluation.
MONTHLY SYLLABUS: August September Review of class IX syllabus (all topics) Self-assessment Social Stratification and inequality (paper-1) Self- assessment October Crime and Deviance and Social Control (Paper-2) Self-assessment November December January February March Revision Mid-Term Exams Power and Authority (Paper-1) Self-assessment The Mass Media (paper-2) Self-assessment Mock examination
FIRST TERM (AUGUST- DECEMBER) Methodology for Unit 1: SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND INEQUALITY In this section the patterns of social stratification will be related with social, economical and political processes i.e. caste system, estate system, slavery and class system. The distinction between ascribed and achieved status will be differentiated with specific reference to changes in patterns of social stratification that accompanied industrialization. The patterns of distribution of wealth along with the specific types of poverty will be explained. The concept of life chances and its relation with industrial time period will be evaluated. Aims and objectives: To develop the understanding about the patterns of social stratification. To relate the changing patterns of ascribed and achieved status with traditional and modern period respectively. To evaluate the system of distribution of wealth in different societies with special reference to candidates own society. To understand the changing nature of structure of different social classes. SYLLABUS CONTENTS: What is social stratification? Patterns of social stratification The main forms of stratification (slavery, estate, caste, class, age, sex, ethnicity) The distinction between ascribed and achieved status Changes in patterns of social stratification that accompanied industrialization How are social inequalities created? What are the main features of social inequality? Wealth and income, status, power, gender, ethnic group Ethnic grouping: Nature, size and distribution of different ethnic Groups Prejudice and discrimination The concept of scape-goats Gender
Social class: Evidence pointing to social class differences. The nature, extent and significance of social mobility An appreciation of the implications of social class for chances in employment, health and life style. The changing nature of the working class, middle-class and upper-class. Methodology for Unit 2: CRIME AND DEVIANCE: In this section the difference between the normal, criminal and deviant act in different social contexts will be discussed. The formal and informal ways to control society will be explained. The deviant and criminal behavior will be discussed with biological, economical, psychological and sociological explanations. Aims and objectives: To differentiate between normal, criminal and deviant act. To assess the role of different agencies of social control. To differentiate formal and informal ways of social control SYLLABUS CONTENTS: What is normal behavior and deviance? Why are there rules in society? Deviance: the relative nature of conformity, normality and deviance. The influences, both formal and informal, which help to maintain order in society: socialization, the media, religion, the police and courts. The development of sub-cultures, with particular reference to youth cultures. Why are society s rules broken? What are the consequences of breaking the Rules? Crime: the difference between deviance and crime, law and law-breaking. Explanations of deviant and criminal behavior: biological, environmental, economic, psychological and sociological The role of formal agencies, the media and others in defining deviance and crime: stereotyping, labeling and deviance amplification The nature and extent of crime. An examination of official statistics of crime and their interpretation.
GLOSSARY: Labeling Anomie Stigma Peer group Rewards sanctions Self-report studies The dark figures Victims surveys White collar crime Status frustration Youth culture and sub-culture
FINAL TERM (JANUARY-MARCH) Methodology for Unit 3: POWER AND AUTHORITY: In this section the basic concepts of power and authority will be defined and explained. How power, authority and decision making varies in different societies. The concepts of aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy and dictatorship will be explained. Different theories of power and control will be discussed i.e. Pluralist, Marxist and Elite theory. The role of election polls and different types of voting behavior will be evaluated. Aims and objectives: To promote the understanding about the concepts of power and authority. To assess the ways of decision making in different societies. To define and differentiate between the different was of power and authority i.e. aristocracy, democracy, oligarchy and dictatorship. To assess the process of elections in different societies with specific reference to candidates own society. To assess the role of election polls in determining and changing the voters decision. To differentiate between the types of voters. To assess the changing nature of voting behavior. SYLLABUS CONTENTS: What is power? What are the sources of power and authority? The various forms of power, control and authority: charismatic, coercive, economic, bureaucratic and the control of ideas and beliefs. Aristocracy, oligarchy, democracy, dictatorship. Different theories of power: pluralist, Marxist, elite theory. Differing interpretations of the role of the State in contemporary societies. How are political decisions made? Who influences and makes political decisions? Decision making: the various forms democratic and authoritarian. Some knowledge of the political processes in the candidate s own society and at least one other contrasting society The role of political parties and pressure groups. Political socialization and the media. Elections and the factors that influence voting behavior.
Freedom and censorship of ideas. GLOSSARY: Secret Ballot Propaganda Promotional groups Protective or defensive groups Social movements Lobbying Opinion pools Floating voters Civil liberties Methodology for Unit 4: THE MASS MEDIA (PAPER-2) In this section the basic focus of discussion will be on the process of communication, the way it puts effects on modern culture. How the content of media is affected because of differences in ownership and control of mass media. The differences in the trend of content of mass media in different social classes will be discussed. The pluralist and Marxist perspectives on the nature and the role of mass media will be evaluated. Aims and objectives: To differentiate between different types of process of communication. To evaluate the role of media content on the determination of human behavior. To assess the reasons behind the changing nature of media content. To assess the effects of ownership of media on media content. To relate the acceptance of different nature of media content by different social classes. To assess the effects of biasness by journalists on media content.
SYLLABUS CONTENTS: What are the mass media? The various forms of the mass media. The process of mass communication. Ownership and control of the mass media. Media cultures. Patterns of media use, for example by social class, age and gender. Freedom and censorship in the media. The stratification of forms of cultural expression: high culture, mass culture, popular culture, etc. Pluralist and Marxist perspectives on the nature and role of the media. The role of advertising. What is the impact and influence of the mass media? The process of communication and the media s role in shaping values, attitudes and behavior with reference to, for example, television and violence; political beliefs and voting; patterns of consumption. The media s role in agenda setting and in creating images and stereotyping, for example, news broadcasting and newspapers. The issues of selection, distribution and bias in the media. The idea of repressive and manipulative forms of communication: indoctrination, propaganda, bias, distortion. Books for Students AOAUTHOR TITLE PPUBLISHER ISBN CODE Blundell. J Active Sociology for GCSE Longman (2001) 582434432 Browne, K An Introduction to (3rd Ed. 2005) 745632580 Sociology Blackwell Moore, S Sociology Alive! (3rd Ed. 2001) 748754644 Nelson Thorns O Donnell, G Mastering Sociology (2001) Palgrave 333919564 Wilson, P. Kidd, A Sociology for GCSE (1998) HarperCollins 3224449