Sociology simply means the study of society, but the aim of the subject is much greater than that. Sociology researches and critiques the power of relationships within society and aims to develop policies that can improve it. We use a range of sociological perspectives to discover why society works or fails by exploring inequalities between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ on the grounds of class, gender, age, and ethnicity. We explore the major institutions such as the family, education, and the criminal justice system to debate the society we live in and how it affects us. In the first year, we explore the role of education. We look at whether the education system is fair and maintains a harmonious society or whether the education system is biased and only benefits the ruling class. The second topic is families and households. We look at the role the family has in modern Britain and whether it helps society function or creates conflict. We also look at the diversity of families in the U.K., from same-sex families to the more traditional nuclear family. In addition to these two topics, students will also study the methods used by sociologists to gather information and research key issues. One-third of the marks available are for knowledge of research methods and their application to a given research scenario. In the second year, the students will study crime and deviance, covering a wide range of issues such as why people commit crimes. We approach this issue by looking at social factors such as cultural and gender differences and the impact of poverty. We also analyze the broader global context of crime by studying crimes such as human trafficking, illegal drugs, cybercrime, and green crime. The second unit of study is ‘The Media’ in which we explore the impact the media has on wider society and individuals. This is a particularly relevant topic as students are taught to look at the media with a more critical eye, as a source of misinformation that serves the needs of the super-rich rather than the public good. In addition to crime and global development, students in the second year will also study the key theories in sociology in depth and apply them to their existing knowledge. These include major perspectives such as Marxism, Functionalism, Feminism, and Postmodernism. Students will also be assessed on their knowledge and application of research methods. Key to doing well in sociology is a willingness to read widely outside of the textbook and to develop a good knowledge of current affairs. Students are therefore encouraged to keep a current affairs scrapbook.