United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 11 Sociology.
This Year 11 Sociology curriculum prepares students for their GCSE examinations by exploring the complex structures of contemporary British society. Students will critically analyse social inequalities, the criminal justice system, and the role of mass media, developing a deep understanding of sociological theories and research methods.
01Social Stratification and Inequality
An in-depth examination of how society is structured into hierarchies and the impact of social class, gender, and ethnicity on life chances.
Students examine how different sociological perspectives explain the existence of social hierarchies. They will contrast consensus and conflict theories regarding wealth distribution.
An exploration of how an individual's social class background impacts their opportunities in education, health, and employment. Students will analyse contemporary data on social mobility in Britain.
This topic investigates the persistent inequalities based on gender and ethnicity in the workplace and wider society. Students will evaluate feminist and anti-racist sociological perspectives.
Students will define absolute and relative poverty, exploring the causes and consequences of deprivation. They will also debate the effectiveness and role of the British welfare state.
02Crime and Deviance
A critical look at the social construction of crime, sociological explanations for offending behaviour, and the patterns of victimisation in the UK.
Students learn to distinguish between crime and deviance, understanding that these concepts are socially constructed and vary across time and cultures.
An analysis of various sociological theories explaining why people commit crimes, including strain theory, subcultural theories, and labelling theory.
This topic examines the mechanisms society uses to regulate behaviour. Students will compare the roles of agencies like the police and courts with family and peer groups.
Students will analyse official crime statistics, self-report studies, and victim surveys to identify patterns related to class, gender, and ethnicity.
03The Mass Media
An investigation into the ownership, control, and influence of the mass media, including the representation of social groups and the rise of new media.
An investigation into who owns the mass media in Britain and how this ownership influences the content produced. Students will contrast pluralist and Marxist perspectives.
Students will critically examine how the media portrays different social classes, genders, ethnicities, and age groups, exploring the concept of stereotyping.
This topic explores the rise of digital and social media, assessing its impact on traditional media, political participation, and social relationships.
04Sociological Research Methods
A practical unit focusing on how sociologists design research, collect data, and evaluate their findings within ethical guidelines.
Students will evaluate the strengths and limitations of different research methods, including questionnaires, interviews, and observations. They will link these to positivist and interpretivist approaches.
An overview of the stages of sociological research, from hypothesis formation to data analysis. Students will also consider the ethical guidelines set by the British Sociological Association (BSA).
Students will learn to critically assess sociological studies using the concepts of validity, reliability, and representativeness. They will apply these concepts to classic sociological research.