Social Sciences

Vision Statement – Criminology

Criminology aims to encourage students to critically question and discuss crime as a contextual and theoretical concept. Students will develop a critical understanding of the criminal justice system and how that system relates to broader societal ideas, whilst also analysing crime from the perspectives of criminals, victims and policy makers. Students will foster an awareness of real world issues through the use of case studies, allowing the development of analysis, contextualisation, evaluation and synthetisation in examining whether the criminal justice system works fairly for all. Students will cultivate an appreciation of inclusivity, equality and diversity through their exploration of Criminological concepts.

What will the subject enable me to do?

Course Description

Criminology is the study of crime and criminals. It investigates the causes of crime, the social impact of crime and the individuals involved in crime, from those who commit crime themselves to those who work within the criminal justice system. We study Criminology in an attempt to understand what motivates an individual to act in a criminal manner, giving consideration to individual and situational factors that may have impacted on the decision making process; once this is known, we can study how crime can be managed, controlled and prevented.

In Year 12, you will study the changing awareness of crime, allowing you to identify and understand different types of crime, the perception of crime and the reporting of crime. You will also study Criminological Theories, exploring Psychological and Sociological explanations for criminal behaviour.

In Year 13, the focus will be on methods of investigating crime and the processes used from crime scene to court room in order to reach a guilty/not guilty verdict. You will also study crime and punishment, examining how effective different types of punishment for criminal behaviour are and the different agencies who work to maintain social control.

Criminology students are found in many walks of life but usually in a career that centres on working within the Criminal Justice System such as; Legal services, the Police Force, National Probation Service, Courts and Tribunals Service, Offender rehabilitation, The National Offender Management Service, education and government. Criminology has many transferable skills and will allow you to develop your critical reasoning, debating, analytical and collaborative learning skills; all vital for progression to Higher Education and employment.

Keystage 5

Students will follow the WJEC Applied Diploma in Criminology and will be assessed by one internally sat controlled assessment and one external examination in year 12, with this process repeated in year 13 .Students will develop the skills and knowledge required for further education in the Social Sciences. Students are expected to work independently out of the classroom completing homework or revising the vast amount of content required for the examinations.

Key Features of the Course:

Students will study a range of Philosophical ideas, including: ancient philosophical influences, the nature of the soul, mind and body, arguments about the existence or non-existence of God, the nature and impact of religious experience, the challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil and ideas about the nature of God and issues in religious language.

Students will study a range of Ethical Theories including: normative ethical theories, the application of ethical theories, ethical language and thought, debates surrounding the significant idea of conscience and sexual ethics and the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs.

Students will study a religion and analyse: religious beliefs, values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and in the contemporary world, sources of religious wisdom and authority, practices which shape and express religious identity, and how these vary within a tradition, significant social and historical developments in theology and religious thought and key themes related to the relationship between religion and society.

Entry Requirements:

• A minimum of Five GCSE’s Grade 9-4
• A minimum of a Grade 6 in English Literature/ Language
• A GCSE in RE is advised but not compulsory

What could this course lead on to?

By completing a Philosophy and Ethics A-Level, students can go on to study a wide range of subjects at degree level, including:

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Law, Medicine, English Literature, History, Philosophy,Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Theology,Religious Studies

Future Prospects:

Careers that A Level Philosophy and Ethics can lead to…

Politics, Medicine, Teacher, Social Worker, Anthropologist, Religious Leaders, Lawyer, Voluntary Sector, Journalists, Activist, Historian, Diplomat, Researcher, Writer

What type of student is this course suitable for?

This course is suitable for students interested in getting a qualification that leads to lots of different options at university, from Politics and Law, to Philosophy and Religious Studies. It is appropriate for those who are curious about how the world works from a sociological, societal perspective. A Level Religious Studies (Philosophy, Ethics and Development) would suit those who are interested in asking those wider questions, analysing the deeper meaning of the world and evaluating the use of religion and theology within a wider contemporary context.

Vision Statement – Psychology

Psychology students are encouraged to and will develop how to critically think and debate about their own and others’ behaviour and how this can have an impact on the world around them. Students will be inclusive and will recognise the importance of individual differences within society and how this uniqueness can reflect in behaviour through environmental and biological factors. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of using empirical evidence to support and refute psychological explanations of behaviour whilst still recognising the subjectivity in explaining behaviour theoretically. Students will develop an understanding of Scientific thinking and processes through the use of quantitative and qualitative methodologies that encourage independent research design and evaluation of this.

What will the subject enable me to do?

Course Description

This course is a new subject to students and prepares them for further studies at level 3 and beyond. Students will focus upon the key principles of psychology by looking into the mind and behaviour and how this influences our lives through a variety of topics. Students will look at the five main  Psychological approaches: Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, Social and the Self. Through these approaches students will focus upon the perpetual argument of ‘nature versus nurture’ and how each one can dictate our behaviour and functioning of our mind.

Key stage 4

Students will study OCR GCSE Psychology.

Each unit will comprise of at least two opposing explanations (theories) of the behaviour being studied alongside at least two pieces of supporting evidence from psychological research. Students will then apply their knowledge of psychological theory to applications used within a real world environment.

Homework and support

Homework will be set  and will comprise of content revision and multiple choice testing. Students will be given a formal assessment at the end of each unit within the course.

Year 11 Psychology revision will take place on a Monday evening with Mr Wardle 3pm – 4pm in E8.

Keystage 5

Students will follow the OCR A Level Psychology Curriculum and is assessed through three terminal examinations at the end of year 13.  Students will develop the skills and knowledge required for further education in the Social Sciences. Students are expected to work independently out of the classroom completing homework or revising the vast amount of content required for the examinations.

Unit 3 Applied Psychology Specific Content:

Vision Statement – Sociology

As social scientists and educators the department values and actively promotes study that fosters academic excellence, collaboration, innovative active inquiry methods, and excellence in teaching that engages, motivates and inspires students to think critically, feel deeply, communicate effectively and act responsibly to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex, technological, diverse and threatened world.  Students of sociology will be supported and facilitated to become capable citizens who are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make informed and responsible decisions in a diverse and interdependent world.  The study of sociology helps to promote understanding and respect, sensitivity and acceptance of differences.

What will the subject enable me to do?

Course Description

This course is a new subject to students and prepares them for further studies at level 3 and beyond. Students will focus upon the key principles and interpretations of sociology and apply them to society and world in which we live. Students will examine the sociology of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification as well as look at the theory and methodology sociologists would use to study these topics.

Key stage 4

Students will study AQA GCSE Sociology.

Both units have two multiple choice questions followed by a range of short and extended responses.  Students will apply their knowledge, understanding and skills to these range of questions covering each unit in equal depth.

Homework and support

Homework will be set  and will comprise of content revision and applying this to exam style questions. Students will be given a formal assessment at the end of each unit within the course.

Keystage 5

Students will follow the AQA A Level Sociology Curriculum and is assessed through three terminal examinations at the end of year 13.  Students will focus upon the key principles and interpretations of sociology and apply them to society and world in which we live. Students will examine the sociology of families, education, crime and deviance and beliefs or media as well as looking at the theory and methodology sociologists would use to study these topics.

Students will develop the skills and knowledge required for further education in the Social Sciences. Students are expected to work independently out of the classroom completing homework or revising the vast amount of content required for the examinations.