uk essay the importance of sociology to a teacher

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JUSTIFICATION OF THE INCLUSION OF SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION IN TEACHER TRAINING AND THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

2021, PABLO MOSES RESEARCHES

Sociology of Education can simply be defined as the scientific analysis of the social processes and social patterns involved in the educational system.As a study ,it's prime focus is on the public schooling systems of modern industrial societies, including the expansion of higher, further, adult,and continuing education. It is a philosophical as well as a sociological concept, denoting ideologies, curricula, and pedagogical techniques of the inculcation and management of knowledge and the social reproduction of personalities and cultures.

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The paper presents an extensive definition of the term sociology / sociology of education, with good explanation on how sociology emerged and developed; the paper equally discusses the scope and basic concern of sociology / sociology of Education. Personal and professional benefits derived from learning sociology of education were highlighted, while the paper also gave the differences between Educational Sociology and Sociology of Education and conclude by describing the relationship between sociology and other fields of study.

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This paper sets out to discuss major theories of sociology of education in an attempt to reveal why we need to extend analysis beyond their current forms. It provides both a brief historical account for each theory and fundamental critiques directed towards them. Sociology of education has taken a historical turn by breaking away from the dominant understandings of functionalist theories of 1950s. The matters of history, social class, race and gender and their intimate links to the education began to occupy a prestigious position in sociological analysis of education. However, the new sociology of education also could not escape from creating its own field specific orthodoxies

Tania Saeed

The education system is both a source of perpetuating socio-economic inequalities, and a tool for challenging the status quo. Educational institutions, especially schools are an integral part of the socialization process, preparing the next generation to take on their role as “social” actors. The course examines how and why the education system perpetuates or challenges existing inequalities within society. It introduces students to sociological theories of education, examining the intersection between education, class, culture, gender, resistance and democracy. The first part provides a macro level analysis of education and its place within society by introducing students to grand theories of education with a particular emphasis on functionalism, pragmatism, and critical pedagogy. The second part focuses on the formalized education system, in particular the school, examining the structure and organization of the school, teaching and pedagogy, classroom inequalities, and the politics of language and curriculum. The readings therefore move from a macro level analysis to the micro unit of the school, highlighting both the potential and the limitation of modern day schooling in challenging existing inequalities within society.

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Sociology of education is a matter of discussion in terms of whether it is an independent field or it is a subdiscipline of educational sciences or sociology. In this respect, the development of sociology of education is challenging process which goes through some never-ending continuity and discontinuity, and it is sometimes considered to be a process that consists of blurrines, fluidity, and sometimes it is regarded as a complex process. In this regard, the fundamental purpose of this study is to find out the development of sociology of education in England and the USA. This study is designed as a historical research. As a result of the study, It can be said that sociology of education as a discipline in these countries has not been established upon a joint developmental process as it has had some continuity and discontinuity in its relationship with education or sociology departments. It may be stated that from time to time macro subject matters gained a popularity and sometimes ...

International journal of contemporary sociology

Lawrence Saha , Ari Antikainen , Shaheeda Essack , Antonio Teodoro , D. Konstant

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Sociology of Education: Meaning, Scope, Importance, Perspectives

Synopsis : This article explores the discipline of Sociology of Education, a branch of the broader subject of Sociology, through its meaning, history of development, significance, differences with Educational Sociology, and scope. It also portrays how education can be examined using the three main theoretical perspectives in sociology.

What is Sociology of Education ?

To understand what Sociology of Education comprises, it is, first and foremost, imperative to define education from a sociological understanding. In sociology, education is held to be a social institution that serves the objective of socializing an individual from their very birth into the systems of society. Henslin (2017) defines education as “a formal system” which engages in imparting knowledge to individuals, instilling morals and beliefs (which are at par with those of the culture and society), and providing formal training for skill development. In non-industrial, simple societies, the specific institution of education did not exist in society.

For quite a long period after it was established as a formal means of knowledge development, education was available only to those privileged enough to afford it. Requirements under industrialization to have literate workers for some jobs reshaped the structure of the education system to a great extent. Even in today’s world, the education system varies from one country to another due to various factors, ranging from cultural values to the availability of proper resources.

Sociology of Education is the discipline or field of study which deals with the institution of education, and all the other factors related to it, in society. Sociology of education is also defined as the academic discipline which “examines the ways in which individuals’ experiences affect their educational achievement and outcomes” (Williams, 2011). Scott (2014) states that the subject is “mostly concerned with schooling, and especially the mass schooling systems of modern industrial societies, including the expansion of higher, further, adult, and continuing education.”

In simple words, the discipline studies education as a social institution, and examines its functions, roles, and other behaviors within the broader social context, as well as how it influences individuals and is influenced reciprocally by them. It highlights the significance of education within the different cultures and other social groups, as well as assesses factors (such as economic, political, etc.) associated with the individuals which might affect their access to education. Some themes discussed within the field are modules or curriculum, testing methods (such as standardized testing), etc.

Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Lancelot Hogben, Talcott Parsons , Pierre Bourdieu, James Coleman, John Wilfred Meyer, etc., are some scholars associated with the Sociology of Education. The discipline was made popular in India by scholars such as Madhav Sadashiv Gore, Akshay Ramanlal Desai, Yogendra Singh, and Shyama Charan Dube, among others (Pathania, 2013). 

Historical Background:

French sociologist Emile Durkheim was the person who helped establish Sociology as a formal educational discipline. Durkheim also became the first professor of sociology, the first individual to pursue a sociological understanding of the functioning of societies, and the foremost person to initiate a discussion on the sociology of education (Boronski & Hassan, 2020). He identified that the base of organic solidarity is moral education, in which self-discipline and keeping one’s desires in check are the essential principles of moral development.

With the advent of the Fabian Society, which was originally established in 1884, during the middle of the twentieth century, sociology of education began in its early stage in Britain.

Boronski & Hassan (2020) describe the Fabian society and its activities as the “political foundation” of the sociology of education in Britain. The methodology followed during this time was ‘political arithmetic’: examining the capability of education to result in a society that was more supportive of and characterized by democracy, and its related principles.

The intellectual roots of sociology of education in Britain lie in the influence of structural functionalism, strongly visible in both Britain and America. The British sociology of education saw a drastic shift to a more critical view of education during the 1970s and 1980s. This was termed as “New Sociology of Education (NSOE)”, which consisted of not one, but several different approaches to education, all of which, however, had a similar base: the system or institution of education was considered as fundamentally adverse to those belonging from the working class (Boronski & Hassan, 2020).

The feminist perspective of sociology grew apace in the education scenario, providing a bolder and enhanced voice to the agenda of the women’s movement, and literature on the same, such as those of Dale Spencer and Judy Samuel, also expanded. Today, the field of Sociology itself, and in particular, the sub-field of Sociology of Education faces a continuous and increasing demand to make the discipline more embracive by facilitating and encouraging the incorporation of involvement of the global South.

Theoretical Perspectives on Education :

The social institution of education can be examined using the three main theoretical perspectives in Sociology:

The second function is facilitating distribution or passing on of core cultural values, norms, beliefs, ideals, as well as patriotic feelings towards one’s country, and harmony towards fellow citizens. These are passed on from generation to generation to ensure that these values are kept intact.

Other functions vary from place to place and include providing childcare, providing nutrition (free midday meal systems), facilitating sex education and proper healthcare, diminishing the rate of unemployment, as well as ensuring security in society by keeping individuals in schools and away from corrupt activities (Henslin, 2017).

By implementing some latent and some visible rules, schools also promote the current social structures (such as capitalism: by encouraging competitive behavior and pitting students against one another based on test scores, social stratification: regions having lower-class students have poorly funded schools, etc.), thereby facilitating their existence rather than working towards their removal from society. 

Scope of Sociology of Education :

Sociology of Education covers a wide range of topics. Society and all other components within it, such as culture, class, race, gender, etc., the ongoing processes of socialization, acculturation, social organization, etc., and other factors such as status, roles, values, morals, etc., all fall under the inspection of this field of study (Satapathy, n.d.). Aligning the design of education according to geographical, ethnic, and linguistic necessities, and requirements of other population subgroups also falls under Sociology of Education. How economic background and situations, family structures and relations, friends, peer groups and teachers, and other more overarching social issues affect the personality, quality of education, and accessibility of opportunities to students is an integral point of consideration under Sociology of Education.

Significance of Studying Sociology of Education :

Dynamic nature of culture, the fact that culture varies from one place to another and sometimes even within the same region, and because education, culture, and society affect each other drastically, it is important to have an understanding of the relationship between these so that education can be used effectively as a tool for human advancement (Satapathy, n.d.). Sociology of Education helps in facilitating that.

Sociology of Education also provides greater knowledge about human behavior, clarity on how people organize themselves in society and helps unravel and simplify the complexities within human society (Ogechi, 2011). Because education, whether in the formal, institutionalized form or otherwise, is one of the few components in human society which more or less remains constant across cultures, it becomes an important tool to analyze and interpret human societies.

The discipline also enhances one’s understanding of the position education occupies in society, and the roles it plays in the lives of humans (Ogechi, 2011). At the same time, it helps develop knowledge about the benefits as well as the shortcomings of education and devise policies to make the institution more beneficial for society by facilitating an analytical examination.

Differences between Educational Sociology and Sociology of Education :

Although the two are related, Sociology of Education is distinctly different from Educational Sociology in certain factors. Sociology of education is the process of scientifically investigating the institution of education within the society–how the society affects it, how education influences people in the society in return, and the problems which might occur as a result of the interaction between the two (Chathu, 2017). Educational Sociology also deals with these, but where Sociology of Education is a more theory-based study, Educational Sociology focuses on applying principles in sociology to the entire system of education and how it operates within the society. In other words, Sociology of Education studies the practices within the social institution of education using sociological concepts, while Educational Sociology engages in the practical application of understandings developed through sociological research into education (Bhat, 2016).

In the same context, Sociology of Education views education as a part of the larger society, and hence the institution is analyzed both as a separate unit, as well as by considering it alongside other factors in society (Bhat, 2016). Therefore, the discipline tries to form a relationship between education and other facets of society and seeks to understand how education affects these different components of the society, and vice versa (for example, how education ingrains gender roles, as well as how pre-existing gender roles affect the quality, quantity, availability, and access to education). Educational Sociology, on the other hand, aims to provide solutions to the problems which occur in education (Bhat, 2016). In doing so, the discipline views education as a separate entity within society.

Bhat, M. S. (2016). EDU-C-Sociological foundations of education-I . https://www.cukashmir.ac.in/departmentdocs_16/Education%20&%20Sociology%20-%20Dr.%20Mohd%20Sayid%20Bhat.pdf

Boronski, T., & Hassan, N. (2020). Sociology of education (2nd ed.). Editorial: Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington Dc, Melbourne Sage.

Ogechi, R. (2011). QUESTION: Discuss the importance of sociology of education to both teachers and students. Academia . https://www.academia.edu/37732576/QUESTION_Discuss_the_importance_

Pathania, G. J. (2013). Sociology of Education. Economic and Political Weekly , 48 (50), 29–31. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24479041

Williams, S. M. (2011). Sociology of education. Education . https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199756810-0065

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• Post author: Sakshi Padiyar
• Post category: Blog / Education / school / sociology / students
• Post published: Jan 8, 2022
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Understanding the Relationship Between Sociology and Education

Picture this: two students, same age, same city, but vastly different educational experiences. What causes these differences? Let’s dive into the world of sociology and education to find out.

Think about how people interact with each other and how societies function. That’s sociology. It studies human relationships and institutions, diving into how social structures and cultural contexts shape our behaviors. Now, consider education—it’s more than just going to school. Education is a way of learning and gaining knowledge, skills, values, and habits. When you combine these two fields, you get the Sociology of Education, which examines how public institutions and personal experiences impact learning and its outcomes. It also looks at how society influences education and vice versa.

Importance of Studying Sociology of Education

Understanding Social Influences

You might wonder how factors like culture, social class, gender, and ethnicity affect education. The Sociology of Education helps us see these connections clearly. For example, have you noticed that students from different backgrounds often have different educational outcomes? This field shows us how education systems can either maintain social inequalities or help people move up in society.

Informing Educational Policies and Practices

Sociological studies are vital for creating effective teaching strategies and educational reforms. When policymakers and educators understand the diverse needs of students, they can design curricula that truly cater to everyone. Imagine a classroom where every student’s background is considered in the teaching method. This inclusivity can make a significant difference.

Promoting Social Change and Equity

By identifying and addressing social inequalities in education, sociology drives social change. It helps create fair educational practices that serve everyone, especially marginalized and underrepresented groups. You can see the impact of this in programs designed to support students from low-income families or those with learning disabilities.

Theoretical Perspectives in the Sociology of Education

Functionalism

Education plays several key roles in society. It helps with socialization, integrates individuals into the community, and maintains social stability. Think about how schools prepare you for your future roles in society and the economy. This perspective shows how education supports the functioning of society as a whole.

Conflict Theory

On the flip side, education can also perpetuate social inequalities. Through hidden curriculums, standardized testing, and tracking, it often reflects and reinforces existing power structures. Have you ever felt that certain groups always seem to have an advantage? Conflict theory explains how and why this happens.

Symbolic Interactionism

This perspective focuses on the daily interactions within educational settings. Consider the relationships between teachers and students or among peers. These interactions shape your self-concept, academic performance, and social development. It’s fascinating to see how everyday experiences in school can have long-term effects on your life.

Key Concepts in the Sociology of Education

Socialization

Socialization is how you learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of your society through education. Schools play a huge role in this process by teaching you cultural values and social norms. Remember those lessons about teamwork and respecting others? That’s socialization at work.

Cultural Knowledge

Cultural knowledge refers to the non-financial social assets that influence your success in the educational system. This includes language proficiency, cultural knowledge, and social skills. Think about how knowing multiple languages or understanding cultural references can give you an edge in school.

Hidden Curriculum

The hidden curriculum includes the informal and often unintentional lessons, values, and perspectives that you learn in school. These could be attitudes towards authority, conformity, and competition. Have you ever noticed how schools sometimes teach you more than just the official subjects? That’s the hidden curriculum in action.

The Role of Education in Social Stratification

Education and Social Class

Education can either reduce or increase social inequalities, depending on how accessible and fair it is. Students from higher social classes often have more access to quality education and resources. Have you ever seen how some schools have more facilities and better programs? This is a clear example of how social class can affect education.

Gender and Education

Gender biases and stereotypes can influence educational experiences and outcomes. Efforts to promote gender equality in education include addressing curriculum content, teacher biases, and school policies. Think about initiatives that encourage girls to pursue STEM subjects. These are steps towards gender equality in education.

Race and Ethnicity in Education

Racial and ethnic disparities in education can result from systemic biases and discrimination. Culturally responsive teaching and inclusive curricula are essential for addressing these disparities. Have you ever had a teacher who made an effort to include diverse perspectives in their lessons? This approach helps combat racial and ethnic inequalities.

Applications of Sociology in Education

Curriculum Development

Sociological insights are crucial for developing inclusive and relevant curricula. When the curriculum addresses social issues and promotes critical thinking, it benefits everyone. Imagine a history lesson that includes diverse viewpoints and encourages you to think critically about past events. This kind of education is more engaging and meaningful.

Teacher Training

Understanding sociological principles helps teachers create inclusive classrooms that address the needs of all students. It equips them with the skills to manage diverse classrooms and promote equity. Have you ever had a teacher who seemed to understand and respect everyone’s background? That’s the result of good teacher training based on sociological insights.

Educational Policy and Reform

Sociological research influences educational policies and reforms aimed at promoting social justice and equity. It provides evidence-based recommendations for improving educational systems and practices. Think about policies that support low-income students or those with special needs. These are informed by sociological research and aim to create a fairer education system.

Summary and Insights

The relationship between sociology and education is key to understanding and improving educational systems. By looking at how social factors influence education, we can develop strategies to make education more fair and effective. This field offers valuable insights that help shape educational policies, teaching practices, and curriculum development, ultimately benefiting society as a whole. By understanding these connections, you can see how education and sociology work together to create a better future for everyone.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

Q1.What does the Sociology of Education focus on? A1: It examines how social factors and personal experiences impact education and its outcomes.

Q2: How does culture affect education? A2: Culture influences educational values, practices, and outcomes.

Q3: What is a hidden curriculum? A3: Unintentional lessons and values students learn in school, like attitudes towards authority.

Q4: How can education promote social mobility? A4: By providing equal opportunities and resources to all students.

Q5: What role does social class play in education? A5: Social class can affect access to quality education and resources.

Related posts:

• What is the relationship between knowledge and education?
• Why is it important to study the sociology of education?
• How education can strengthen democracy?
• How education makes us better

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Sociology is only useful for studying society. True or false?

What is the difference between pure and applied sociology?

Sociology is a very broad subject.  True or false?

Give examples of social patterns and issues that sociology can provide explanations for.

Sociology has played a crucial role in many significant social reforms. Give examples of these social reforms.

How did Peter L. Berger describe the sociologist?

Peter L. Berger pointed out that in the process of trying to understand society, sociologists are concerned about monumental social events just as much as with mundane, everyday occurrences of individuals’ lives. True or false?

_______ says that sociological investigation often appears very simple and obvious...  "until one is suddenly brought up against an insight that radically questions everything one had previously assumed about this familiar scene. This is the point at which one begins to sense the excitement of sociology." Fill in the blank.

In 1954, the US Supreme Court overturned a law in 21 states that allowed Black and White children to be educated separately only if those separate schools systems were equal.

What was the name of the case above?

Through sociology, there is bigger awareness of differences in economic status, educational level, ethnicity and race, gender and sexual orientation.  

The Brown vs. the Board of Education case was hugely based on the research conducted by two sociologists. Who were they?

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• American Identity
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These are all everyday things that sociology concerns itself with. Sociology also aims to shed light on larger social issues and social patterns such as globalization, migration, class inequality, racism and the influence of technological advances on society, to mention a few.

We will discuss the different realms of the discipline and try to answer the question ‘ Why study sociology? ’.

• We will look at different studies of sociology.
• Next, will look at the importance of studying sociology.
• We will consider the benefits of studying sociology.
• Then, we will discuss the career options in sociological study.
• We will look at the opportunities after studying sociology.
• Finally, we will discuss public sociology.

Why Study Sociology?

In 1954, the US Supreme Court overturned 21 state laws that allowed Black and White children to be taught in different school systems if those school systems were equal. It was known as the Brown vs. the Board of Education case, and it was hugely based on the research conducted by sociologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark.

The Clarks had shown that Black schoolchildren suffered both academically and psychologically from segregation, which was later judged as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

This is a perfect example of how sociological research can generate and accelerate social change , which would eventually affect the lives of millions. Thus, sociology is not only useful for studying society, but also for improving it.

Trying to improve society through research is just one of the possible answers to the question 'Why study sociology?'.

Different Studies of Sociology

Sociology is a very broad subject. As you must have seen from already, there are many different studies of sociology and it covers a wide range of topics from politics to family, from crime to culture.

Sociologists try to find explanations for emerging family patterns, social inequality, governmental control, religious devotion, socialization processes and so on.

Sociology has played a significant role in many social reforms, not just on desegregation but also regarding women’s rights, prison reforms and the treatment of mentally disabled people.

Importance of Studying Sociology

What is the importance of studying sociology? How can we even begin to describe the work of a sociologist?

• Peter L. Berger , in his book, Invitation to Sociology: A Humanistic Perspective (1963), described a sociologist as a researcher that aims to understand society by using disciplined methods .

He pointed out that in the process of trying to understand society, sociologists are concerned about monumental social events just as much as with mundane, everyday occurrences of individuals’ lives.

Berger identifies the moment when one realizes that sometimes it’s the simplest, ordinary things that carry the most exciting and radical questions. He says that sociological investigation often appears very simple and obvious...

...until one is suddenly brought up against an insight that radically questions everything one had previously assumed about this familiar scene. This is the point at which one begins to sense the excitement of sociology." 1

Sociology is thus far from spreading simplistic 'truisms'; it is a discipline for answering new and radical questions about society. That is where the importance of studying sociology lies.

Benefits of Studying Sociology

Sociology teaches people to challenge the easy and simplistic explanations in life. It encourages people to ask better, more specific questions about hardships and social issues in order to organize their thoughts and find better answers and solutions. This is just one of the benefits of studying sociology.

Sociology also makes people realize that they are very similar yet very different. One becomes aware of classifications in society and the discrimination that often follows. Through sociology, there is bigger awareness of differences in economic status, educational level, ethnicity and race, gender and sexual orientation. It helps people find their place in the world while also encouraging them to see other people’s perspectives on society as a whole.

Sociological research has shown that Black children's educational achievement is generally lower than that of White children's, not because they have lesser abilities and skills, but due to in-school processes of teacher labelling, branding and streaming, the hidden curriculum and anti-school subcultures.

Lastly, sociology teaches people to realize how others differ from them, and how they might view things differently due to their circumstances. As a result, sociology is said to teach people to live and work in a diverse and integrated world.

What are some Skills Learned in Sociological Study?

Employers, especially in the contemporary job market, seek people with so-called ‘transferable skills’.

Transferable skills are those abilities and qualifications that one can apply to many different disciplines, settings and positions.

Sociology is said to be one of the subjects where one can acquire transferable skills. The Department of Sociology at the University of Alabama collected a few significant skills one can gain from studying sociology. Let us look at their list.

Understanding large social systems and organizations

Carrying out research projects to see if a policy is functioning well

Collecting, consuming and analyzing statistics from surveys or polls

Recognizing differences between and effects of people’s backgrounds (cultural, economic and social)

Preparing reports and communicating complex ideas and concepts

Thinking critically about social issues

Learning to solve problems efficiently

Opportunities after Studying Sociology

Gaining the skills mentioned above can prepare one for a wide variety of careers and opportunities after studying sociology, including in:

• academic research and teaching
• politics and social services
• government agencies
• community planning
• market research and marketing
• human resources
• health services

Pure vs. Applied Sociology

We differentiate between pure and applied sociology, depending on the occupation of the sociologist. Academic sociologists, who focus on research and teaching, are said to be doing ‘ pure sociology ’.

‘ Applied sociologists ’ on the other hand work in various fields other than academia, trying to implement sociological research to make changes in social policies or to provide direct counseling in social and individual issues.

Even a modest amount of sociological training can be immensely useful in careers such as journalism, teaching, public relations, sales and even law and criminal justice.

It is usually advised for students to seek out classes on their specific interests within sociology. If one is interested in a career in health services, studying medical sociology will be most useful for them. On the other hand, if one is interested in becoming a research assistant, they might like to focus on statistics and methods.

What is Public Sociology?

Public sociology refers to sociological research being conducted with the aim of doing something for the public good. A common use of public sociology aims to educate and help politicians and policymakers about the nature of the most pressing social issues, and to offer suggestions on how to improve them through political and legislative means.

Sociological research can be conducted specifically to understand certain issues; however, sociologists may also come up with new ideas and information about unknown social issues to present to policymakers. The American Sociological Association (ASA) is a great promoter of public sociology.

Why study Sociology? - Key takeaways

• Sociology is a very broad subject. As you must have seen from your studies already, sociology covers a wide range of topics from politics to family, from crime to culture.
• Sociology is said to teach people to live and work in a diverse and integrated world.
• Employers, especially in the contemporary job market, seek people with so-called ‘transferable skills’. Sociology is said to be one of the subjects where one can acquire transferable skills.
• Public sociology refers to sociological research being conducted with the aim of doing something for the public good.
• Berger, Peter L. (1963). Invitation to Sociology: A Humanistic Perspective .

Flashcards in What is the Study of Sociology? 15

We differentiate between pure and applied sociology, depending on the occupation of the sociologist. Academic sociologists, who focus on research and teaching, are said to be doing ‘ pure sociology ’. 

‘ Applied sociologists ’ on the other hand work in various fields other than academia, trying to implement sociological research to make changes in social policies or to provide direct counseling in social and individual issues.

• Emerging family patterns
• Social inequality
• Governmental control
• Religious devotion
• Socialization processes
• Women's rights
• Prison reforms
• Treatment of mentally disabled people

Peter L.   Berger , in his book,   Invitation to Sociology: A Humanistic Perspective   (1963),   described a sociologist as a researcher that aims to understand society by using   disciplined methods . 

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Frequently Asked Questions about What is the Study of Sociology?

What is the importance of studying sociology?

Sociology teaches people to challenge the easy and simplistic explanations in life. It encourages people to ask better, more specific questions about hardships and social issues in order to get their thoughts organized and find better answers and solutions.

Why do people study sociology?

Employers, especially in the contemporary job market, seek people with so-called ‘transferable skills’. Sociology is said to be one of the subjects where one can acquire transferable skills. 

Why is sociology more than just the study of human behavior?

Sociology is concerned with human behavior, but also with conducting statistics and thinking critically about social patters and social issues regarding institutions of society.

How is sociology used in everyday life?

We are all involved with culture, politics, families, economics and the media which are only some of the significant areas of research in sociology. Understanding our own experiences with these things requires us to think about them from a sociological point of view. We often unconsciously use sociology in our everyday lives.

What are the career opportunities after studying sociology?

Sociology can lead people to academic research and teaching. That is one of the most obvious pathways. It can also prepare people for a career in politics and social services. One can work at government agencies, in counselling or in community planning. One can conduct market research and marketing and can easily transfer their skills from sociology to human resources or to health services even.

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Essay Questions

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You will find a 20 mark question on all three papers of the A-Level exam, however, Methods in context question will be dealt with separately.

20 mark questions are essay style questions and should be answered in continuous prose and paragraphs. You should take around 25 – 30 minutes to answer these questions and contain between 3 and 4 paragraphs as well as an introduction and conclusion.

30 Mark Questions only appear on paper 1 and 3 for both Education and Crime and Deviance. 30 Mark questions are to be approached in the same way as the 20 markers, however, you ware expected to show a deeper level of knowledge and understanding (4-5 points), analysis and evaluation.

Command Words 

All essay questions use the same command words: 

Applying material from = Use the item explicitly in your answer. The examiner needs to see "the item" to show you have taken material from the item. 

Evaluate = Look at multiple arguments and come to a reasoned and definitive conclusion

Evaluation Stems

There are two types of essay that you can be asked, Argument or relative importance. You will need to identify which type it is by looking at the question and identifying the evaluation stem. There are four stems for argument essays and two for relative importance: 

ARGUMENT ESSAY STEMS

• The view 
• The contribution of 
• The usefulness of 

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE ESSAY STEMS

• Sociological explanations of 
• The reasons / causes / factors of

Planning your answers is an important step in practicing essay questions. There is no point writing out a full essay answer if you have no idea or are unsure on what it is you are being asked to do or what to include. 

The for and against sides of the content section are essentially two different essays. They do not have to correspond. You then choose which you one you are going to turn into your essay [answer].

Introduction

The introduction should give an overview to the examiner of what it is you are going to write about in the essay. It is also there to show the examiner that you understand the question and what it is asking you to do.

The introduction should contain three elements:

Context: 

This is the background information on the question and can come in three forms:

• Definition of key sociological terms.
• Trends in statistical subjects.
• Background of the theory or topic.

Content: 

In this part of the introduction you show the examiner that you have interpreted the question correctly by explaining the key points that you are going to cover in the essay.

For an   argument   essay this will be both the arguments for and against the view in the question. Whereas for a   relative importance   question this will be the reasons, factors or explanations you are going to discuss.

This a a single sentence which either states that you are going to argue for or against the view in the question, or which reason, factor or explanation is the most important.

The main body of the essay should be around 3 or 4 paragraphs for a 20 marker and 4 or 5 paragraphs in length for a 30 marker, meaning that there should be 4 or 5 points that come from both the item that you have been given as well as your own knowledge.

A nswer the Question

The first sentence of your paragraph should directly answer the question. Use the terms of the question to help make sure you are answering the question set. 

Argument Essay - Why have you come to your overall answer. Give a reason not a concept. 

Relative Importance - Identify the explanation, reason, cause or factor. 

R easons / Explanation 

Use your sociological knowledge to explain how and why this answers the question. This should be around 3-4 sentences where you teach the reader and convince them that your answer is the correct one. 

E valuation 

The evaluation section of the paragraph is where you show your understanding of the opposing argument to your answer. The evaluation should directly link to the point that you are making at the start of your paragraph. It must be shorter than your explanation. 

A pplication  

The application elements of your paragraph are floating and go where they fit. Application comes in a range of formats:

• Integrated use of the item [Paraphrase don't quote]
• Appropriately named sociologists
• Appropriately used sociological studies
• Contemporary real life examples
• Illustrative Examples 

L ink  

This is where you reiterate your answer. 

Argument Essay - What is your overall argument again. Not necessary for Assessment objectives but good literacy. 

Relative Importance - Why is this factor the most important / not the most important. This is ESSENTIAL to show you are answering the question and not just describing the topic. 

The conclusion should be about 2 or 3 sentences long and needs to answer the question directly, and explain why you have come to that answer. 

Do not evaluate or add anything you have not mentioned already. 

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Importance Of Sociology To A Teacher

Filed Under: Essays Tagged With: Psychology , Sociology

There are many subjects offered in Zambian colleges and universities of education and some of these subjects are psychology, theory and practice, history and philosophy, sociology and many others. All the mentioned subjects above are very important to a teacher for effective teaching and learning in the teaching fraternity. For a teacher to teach effectively there is a need for that teacher to have studied the important subjects mentioned above. However this academic paper is meant to discuss the importance of sociology to a teacher in the teaching professional. Sociology is a subject which was coined by a French sociologist called Augustint Comte in 1837.The very term sociology is made up of two words and these words are socio and logy. Socio is a Latin word which means society while the term logy is a Greek word which means science. Therefore the term sociology according to Collins (2004:854) “is the study of society and how it is organized”. Sociology is a social science which studies the social relationships between people as individuals and as groups in the society.

In other words sociology is the scientific study of behavior in groups having the purpose of discovering regularities and order. Sociology is important to the teacher Holt (1995:7), “because it contributes to the knowledge and understanding of various differences in human interaction which could be used in decision making.” It is sociology which enables the teacher to develop un understanding of individual differences to detect what has gone wrong to a pupil or pupils or other groups of adults persons which may affect the performance of a pupil or pupils in a classroom or school set up. Due to those challenges, the performance of a pupil may go down. For instance a pupil who has been doing very well in class start to perform badly, sociology in this case will help the teacher to find out reasons as to why the performance of that particular pupil is going down and once the problem is discovered, the teacher will advise that very pupil or pupils of whose performance is going down so that the effort may be regained. Without the application of sociology in this way, there would be no effort of discovering a problem and the performance of pupils would just continue going down.

The Term Paper on What Is Sociology? 2

What is Sociology? This article is designed primarily for those who are completely new to sociology and would like some help and guidance as to the exact nature of the subject-matter of sociology. However new you are to sociology it is probable that you have an idea, however vague and general, regarding what sociology is supposed to be about. It may be that you have an idea that sociology is ' ...

Another importance of sociology to a teacher according to Ferrante (2011:7) is that, “it offers the framework to help him or her understand how social forces come to be and how they affect sense of self, our relationships”. The teacher will use various kinds of teaching strategies suitable for the learners. Having known his or her pupils very well due to the good teacher-pupil relationship, the teacher will develop some various teaching methods suitable for teaching learners. It is sociology that would help the teacher coming up with different teaching strategies suitable for the learners. In the very connection, sociology will also help the teacher use suitable teaching materials for teaching learners according to their level ability of learning as well as understanding. Sociology will help the teacher prepare suitable teaching materials which are accurate for teaching learners. It is sociology that develops the teacher-pupil relationship, because of sociology the teacher will know what to jock with pupils and those that are not supposed to be spoken as jocks by the teacher.

James (1995:5) “through socialization, the teacher will know what the pupil like to learn and the rates at which pupils are capable of grasping the concepts.” It is sociology that will help the teacher tell his or her pupils what that teacher condones the pupils to be doing in class and those things which the teacher do not Condon in the classroom for example if the teacher do not Condon noise in class pupils will know that. If the teacher-pupil relationship is very good, pupils will feel secured and they learn very well because they will have no fear for that teacher where they will even start to participate as lessons progress. In a situation where the teacher-pupil teacher relationship is very good, pupils begin to like the subject which that teacher teaches them. The other importance of sociology to the teacher Routledge (1975:6) is that, “it helps the teacher know the individual differences among pupils.” There are many challenges of which pupils face in different Zambia schools. The teacher will use sociometric which is under sociology to study the individual differences among pupils.

The Essay on Identify, Plan, Facilitate And Evaluate The Needs Of A Learner

Introduction The teaching cycle consists of five processes, the five processes are identifying the needs of the learners, the planning and design of the lesson , to deliver/facilitate depending on the needs of the learners, to assess the learner and finally to evaluate your own delivery of the lesson and the entire course . Identify needs It is important for a teacher or lecturer to identify the ...

In studying the differences among learners, the teacher will first wish to know the background of the pupils he or she is dealing with. Having known the pupils background the teacher would now advise the pupils on matters patterning their challenges. The other importance of sociology to the teacher Stephen (2001:2) is that “it will help him have an understanding on how people behave”. In short it helps the teacher to be more tolerant and compassionate. Sociology will help the teacher understand the reasons as to why pupils behave in the manna they behave and in this way the teacher will not punish learners instead advise the way they should be behaving. For example pupils who are brought up by the single parent behave differently from those who are brought up with double parents. In most cases those brought up by single parents especially women parents may isolate themselves from their friends because their friends would have things of which their single parents are unable to provide them with. Sociology will be able to help the teacher provide the counseling to such pupils. Sociology also helps the teacher William (2008:3) “to relate well with his or her fellow teachers and participate in social life and step back and analyze the broader meaning of what is going on.”

This subject makes the teacher-teacher relationship good. This very sociology helps the teacher to behave in an extra ordinary way or in a unique way. In the same connection, sociology equips the teacher with respect towards each other as well as to the people in authority. The teacher will know what to jock to his or her fellows. The teacher will bear in mind that, if he or she jock in the other way then the colleagues would be offended. In short teachers will know individual differences among them. Sociology helps the teacher suit in the society. The subject matter deals with sharpening or making the teacher suit in a society.

The Essay on Freedom: Sociology and American Society

Freedom Writers is a movie created from the sociological perspectives of a community submerged in social inequality. The systematic study of human social behavior is conveyed in the story of this group of teens, who are taught to fend for their own ethnicity. Unfortunately, teens that are raised in poor economical conditions have a tendency to turn to gangs, where they readily identify themselves. ...

The teacher is able to copy up the well being of the people in any society regardless of that society setup. This happens so because of sociology of which teachers learn in various higher institutions of learning like colleges and universities of education. The teacher is able to adjust him or herself in the society having a reason of suiting into that given society. The other important of sociology to the teacher is that it increases the awareness of people with complex process involved in social intercourse such that it allows them to deal with situations more effectively realistically. Finally sociology helps teachers in many ways of which some of them are discussed above. Without this subject, there would be chaos in schools because teachers will have no understanding on how pupils learn and behave.

Routledge (1975) Beyond Sociology of Development. London: Rout ledge and Kegan.

Stephen. M (2001) Discipline Sociology. United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes Publishers.

William. K (2008) Sociology in a Changing World. United State: Wadsworth.

James. M (1995) Sociology a Down to Earth Approach. United state: A Simon & Schuster Publishers.

Ferrante (2011) Seeing Sociology as an Introduction. Lengage Learning: Wads worth.

Holt (1995) The Study of Human Relationship. Fifth Edition. New York: Harcourt brace

& Company.

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The Sociology Teacher

The 'nutshells' provide concentrated summaries. Use the arrows or swipe across to explore topics in more detail, including key perspectives  and sociologists .

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Topic 1 - Ownership & Control of the Media

In a nutshell

The ownership of the mass media is concentrated in the hands of a few large companies, that have the ability to control what people have access to. It has been argued that the media have an ideological role to spread the dominant hegemonic ideology of the ruling class, which encourages individuals to accept the inequality of society, according to Marxists. However, pluralists argue media content is not driven by a dominant ideology, but instead is driven by consumer interest.

Topic 2 - GLOBALISATION AND POPULAR CULTURE

Globalisation has led to the increasing interconnectedness of societies across the globe, who now have access to the same media products. This has created a global village, in which time and space barriers have collapsed in human communication, making it instantaneous. Globalisation is largely linked to the increase of popular culture, which is referred to as passive and unchallenging entertainment, designed for the masses. However, it has been argued that globalisation has led to the imperialisation of Western culture on non-Western cultures.

Topic 3 - SELECTION & PRESENTATION OF THE NEWS

News is manufactured based on news values, which are a specific set of criteria which makes a story ‘newsworthy’ enough to be published. In most cases, these news values reflect the desire to make profit by encouraging ratings, hits and circulation of stories. In addition to this, the selection and presentation of news is based on agenda-setting and norm-setting, both which reflect the interests of the media conglomerates.

Topic 4 - MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS

In media content, young people, women, homosexuals, black people and disabled people are generally represented in a negative way. Young people and black people are seen as deviants that disrupt societal order, while women are portrayed merely as sexual objects, which refers to the idea of the male gaze outlined by Mulvey. Homosexuals, especially gay men, are underrepresented in the media because media owners do not want to risk ‘offending’ their audience or advertisers.  Disabled people are typically shown as an outsider group that has little relevance in society. In comparison, white, upper-class and heterosexual men are over-represented in the media, this is mainly because they reflect the owners of the large media corporations.

topic 5 - the rELATIOnship of the media, content, presentation and audiences

Some sociologists suggest that consumers are passive when using and interpreting the media. For instance, the hypodermic syringe model suggests the media have the ability to inject media texts into the veins of audiences. However, some sociologists believe consumers are passive when using and interpreting the media because they have freedom and choice in what they want to consume, and can reject messages they do not agree with. Neo-Marxists reflect upon the encoding and decoding of media texts, and suggest that the dominant hegemonic viewpoint is accepted by most audiences. The relationship with the media also explores the uses and gratifications model, which implies people use the media for a variety of interests and needs.

topic 6 - the New Media

The new media refers to digital, screen-based technology used for the consumption and distribution of the new digitised media content. These include tablets, smartphones, digital TV, electronic E-books etc. Cultural optimists/neophiliacs take an optimistic view on the new media, suggesting it has had positive impacts on society such as increased social life, greater democracy and so on. However, cultural pessimists oppose this view in suggesting the new media has had negative effects on society in the way it has undermined human relationships and connections, as well as increased surveillance and control of the consumer.