1. What is the curriculum rationale in Sociology?

Intent: purpose and values of Sociology

Sociology is the study of society; understanding what society is, why it exists in the form that it does, according to different perspectives, and, aspirations as to how it can be better. By studying social phenomena, theories and engaging in sociological research, we allow students to become well informed, analytically minded and engaged, able to debate and draw conclusions.

We embrace the value of sociology, and its potential to change the world for the better; allowing students to exercise the choice to be ‘firmly on the side of the powerless, dispossessed, and voiceless’ (Howard Becker) should they wish to be.

‘The task of Sociology is to come to help of the individual, we have to be in the service of freedom’ (Zygmunt Bauman)

  • We teach students about sociological concepts, perspectives and ideas, through studying influential work; this provides a firm and academic grounding
  • In Sociology lessons, we ensure students develop a comprehensive understanding of theories in order to apply these to all aspects of social life
  • We encourage students to formulate their own perspectives and judgements, whilst considering powerless social groups at the same time. We facilitate the use of wider reading, discussion, and debate in order for this to happen
  • Students develop their own sense of the social world by engaging in sociological research

Sociology naturally embraces those who have limited life chances, providing a voice for those experiencing social deprivation and injustice. We also encourage our students to engage with improving social justice within school and beyond it; the race and equality, gender equality and LGBT+ diversity groups have all stemmed from sociology in action. We particularly recognise disadvantages that those from lower socio-economic groups face, providing additional support and resources. We also encourage and nurture aspirations of higher education in those from more deprived backgrounds.

We believe that our sociology curriculum contains the breadth, depth and interdisciplinary links that will naturally build cultural capital. We strengthen this by providing opportunities to engage in wider reading, suggesting texts, articles and editorials, through independent tasks and personal study. We ensure all students are aware of social affairs, regularly discussing them in class, and we promote the discussion of other cultures through immersing students in the key themes of ‘identity’, ‘culture’ and ‘globalisation’.

2. What is the 'big picture' in Sociology?

The ‘big picture’ outlines how the Big Ideas and areas of knowledge of each subject fit together:

At Wilmslow High School students from years 7 to 13 are introduced to the Big Ideas that underpin the study of Sociology. We believe that this is entirely encompassed within the concept of:

  • the ‘Sociological Imagination’

We encourage students to develop their ‘Sociological Imagination’, as C.W. Mills suggested, seeing Sociology in all aspects of social life, viewing institutions, power, processes and individual behaviour, through various lenses of theory.

Sociologists at Wilmslow are also taught the meaning of substantive theoretical, conceptual and methodological knowledge, which help make sense of the social world studied in sociology lessons.

There are three key areas of knowledge which are necessary to become a subject expert in Sociology:

  1. Conceptual understanding: That our students build declarative knowledge (knowing that), in particular, of:
    • Sociological theories such as social action
    • Sociological concepts such as socialisation
    • Sociological debates such as around crime
  1. Procedural fluency: That our students build procedural knowledge (knowing how to) in particular of how to:
    • Analyse
    • Evaluate
    • Compose arguments
  2. Disciplinary knowledge:  that our students understand the ways that sociologists work and, in particular, how to engage in sociological research

3. What does knowledge look like in Sociology?

4. What do we teach and when?

5. What do we assess and when?

KS4&5 Assessment Framework

6. Where are the Sociology Knowledge Organisers?