AS Sociology @ MidKent College: Session 2 Exploring culture society & identity AS Sociology @ MidKent College Avast there you scurvy swabs! ‘Tomorrow tis International Talk Like a Pirate Day September 19th 2009


Lesson Structure: Lesson Structure Recap on Lecture 1 Investigate the ‘sociological imagination’ Discuss the structure and assessment of the AS Sociology course Examine the concepts of norms, culture, and values


Objectives: Objectives By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Understand the differences between the main sociological perspectives Understand and apply the sociological imagination to social phenomena


Key perspectives in sociology: Key perspectives in sociology Functionalism Emphasises cohesion, consensus & the social order Marxism Emphasises class struggle, conflict, and change Interactionism Emphasises symbols, social interaction, and meaning Feminism Emphasises gender equality, critique of patriarchy and women’s position within society Post-modernism Emphasises relativism, multiple perspectives, and the fluidity of social life


Confusing, ain’t it? : Confusing, ain’t it? The presence of all these different perspectives is what we have to live with when we study sociology But…. Don’t lose hope just yet! There is something that unites the different camps or “schools” of sociology, It’s called the “sociological imagination” It’s a perspective that seeks to understand the individual as the product of his and her social world(s), and seeks to understand the peculiarities and histories of such social worlds.


Applying the sociological imagination: Applying the sociological imagination To do this, we need to be able to view our own society as an outsider would We need to look behind, beneath or beyond ‘common-sense’ We must be ready to examine our own preconceptions and assumptions about how the social world works We have to compare different social worlds, and various sets of behaviours, beliefs, and attitudes We should keep our eyes and our minds open and our bullsh*t detectors set to stun This is what I call ‘taking a sideways glance’


Sociology: Taking a sideways glance: Sociology: Taking a sideways glance Study the images above and write down what you think they represent in a couple of words Write down what you think is the typical social attitude to the people in the pictures Then write down how you feel about the people in these pictures Then imagine you came from outer space. How would you interpret these images?


AS Sociology: Course Overview: AS Sociology: Course Overview Unit 1: Exploring socialisation, culture and identity This unit assesses sociological understanding of socialisation, culture and identity in the context of sociological research. This unit also includes a research methods unit, where you will learn to understand how research is conducted by sociologists. This knowledge will be used in the AS exam and you will receive a piece of pre-released research material that you will analyse and evaluate.


Assessment: Assessment This unit will be assessed by one 90-minute exam based on pre-released material. This is information will feature statistical research data You will have access to this before the exam (you will be able to use it in the exam also). The exam question is made up of 4 parts: (a) 8 marks This will ask you to define a concept. (b) 16 marks Will ask you to outline and explain 2 ideas. (c) 24 marks Will ask you to explain and evaluate an idea. (d) 52 marks This part will be specifically about the pre-released material.


Pre-release material question: Pre-release material question Don’t let the number of marks on Question D scare you. You will receive the material at least a month before the exam and you will be able to annotate the script (although this must not be taken into the exam ) You will get to know the material well and be able to evaluate it thoroughly


Unit 2: Topics in socialisation, culture and identity : Unit 2: Topics in socialisation, culture and identity This unit offers four possible topics for study. We will be looking at either Youth Culture or the Sociology of Religion This unit is assessed through one 90-minute exam comprising of two questions. Each question will have two parts (a) and (b) – You will answer two whole questions. Question 1 (a) 17 marks Asking you to identify and explain (b) 33 marks Will ask you to outline and evaluate Question 2 (same format as Q1)