Active learning ideas
This topic introduces the fundamental frameworks that sociologists use to interpret the world. Students learn to move beyond common sense explanations by applying the sociological imagination to British society. They explore consensus theories like Functionalism, which views society as a system of interdependent parts, and conflict theories like Marxism and Feminism, which focus on power imbalances and social inequality. Understanding these perspectives is essential for the AQA and OCR specifications as they form the theoretical backbone for all subsequent units.
Activity 01
Divide the class into three groups representing Functionalists, Marxists, and Feminists. Provide a contemporary news headline about social policy and have each group argue how their theorist would interpret the event, followed by a formal rebuttal round.
What is the sociological imagination?
Activity 02
Students identify a personal problem, such as being unable to find a part-time job. They work in pairs to shift the focus from individual 'troubles' to 'public issues' by identifying three wider social forces, such as economic shifts or educational requirements, that contribute to the problem.
How do consensus and conflict theories differ?
Activity 03
Place large posters around the room representing institutions like the family, education, and religion. Students move in groups to annotate each poster with a Functionalist 'pro' and a Marxist 'con' for that institution's role in society.
How do feminists view society?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Marxism is just about politics or communism.
In sociology, Marxism is a macro-theoretical lens used to analyze social class and economic inequality. Using collaborative investigations into modern corporate structures helps students see Marxism as a tool for social analysis rather than just a political movement.
Functionalism means everything in society is 'good'.
Functionalists argue that institutions are functional for the stability of the system, not necessarily 'good' for every individual. Peer explanation tasks where students identify the 'function' of controversial elements, like crime, help clarify this distinction.
Methods used in this brief
Culture, Norms, and Values
An examination of how culture is transmitted through primary and secondary socialisation. Students will analyse how norms and values shape human behaviour.
8 methodologies
Social Stratification and Control
Students investigate how society is stratified by class, gender, and ethnicity, and how social control is maintained. They will evaluate formal and informal mechanisms of control.
8 methodologies