Sociology & Politics

Sociology

Sociology is concerned with understanding human behaviour and values and how these shape the world around us. Through Sociology we gain a better understanding of the ideas, groups and institutions in which we all play a part. For example, how a person's life is affected by being born male or female, black or white, rich or poor. These are the important themes of Gender, Race and Class.

In Sociology we look into how all people fit into different social institutions such as The Family, Education, Religion and the Criminal Justice system and how these institutions change over time. It also examines several important and conflicting explanations of how the society around us operates and in whose interests.

Government & Politics

The Government and Politics A Level is concerned with understanding political behaviour, organisations and institutions in Britain today. The course covers Political Parties, the Houses of Parliament and other institutions, ‘Pressure Groups’, voting behaviour and different voting systems. In the second year of the course there is a comparative element where students learn about the similarities and differences between the British and American organisation of government.

The school organises several trips - one to the Houses of Parliament -and guest speakers are invited to talk to the students. Central to the study of Politics is developing knowledge and appreciation of the processes by which political power is sought, maintained and changes over time. Which party will form the next government ? Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat ? This is the big question that Politics seeks to answer…

Head of Department: M Reiss