Sociology *
French philosopher Auguste Comte first used the term “sociology” in 1838 to refer to the scientific study of society, however it has been investigated as a discipline since as early as the 1700s.
Therefore, our current study of sociology is rooted in centuries of research. Sociology investigates how human societies function and it focuses on how people in different groups in society (e.g. genders, ethnicities, social classes, sexualities, age) behave.
Sociology is an important discipline as it looks at the interaction of people with each other in society. We are all in these social groups, so it teaches us about ourselves and others around us. Sociology equips students with the ability to be well informed, responsible and active citizens who notice social patterns, inequality and injustice and have the tools to contribute to positive change in a constructive manner. Students studying sociology understand societal norms and conventions but also understand the importance of being active in constructing a fair and just society; even if that is not currently the case.
Students gain an appreciation for the complexity of the statistics and headlines they read in the media and are able to disentangle objective facts from socially constructed realities along with their own personal biases as they experience such media.
By the end of Sociology GCSE and A-Level, students will be prepared to contribute to real change in society as they understand the mechanisms already in place and how to change them. Choosing to study sociology can be the first step towards a career in journalism, public health, criminal justice, counselling, education, politics and many more. The skills learnt during studying sociology can be transferred to numerous career pathways.