Like, block, share: What can sociology tell us about social media?
In this session, we’ll explore some of the different ways sociology can help us think about social media, from the things we post and the ways we interact, to issues of power, discrimination and justice. We’ll also look at how studying sociology can help us develop the different skills needed to understand and start tackling these issues.
Duration: 45-60 minutes
Maximum number of students: 60
Minimum number of students: 15
Flying aeroplanes and sociological methods
In this session, your students will gain an understanding of sociological research methods used across the social sciences. Focusing on what is 'qualitative research' and drawing on a real sociologist's experience of flying aeroplanes to understand autopilot technologies used in the aviation sector, your students will learn basic concepts in doing participant observation: gaining access, building rapport, having empathy, covert and overt observation, ethical issues, in-depth understanding, and the key principles of doing research. The session is delivered by a real sociologist who uses, and publishes on using, qualitative research in contemporary sociology. The session is designed to meet the needs of A-level sociology students studying research methods or equivalent level courses in the social sciences.
Duration: 60 minutes
Maximum number of students: 60
Sociology, social problems and social inequalities
Your students will gain an understanding of social problems in the UK, looking at how social inequalities are understood within the discipline of sociology. Drawing on the sociology of work as one example, your students will be taught about inequalities related to social class, gender, ethnicity and age. The session will also contrast sociological research on inequalities with media and political approaches which often mask or distort public perceptions of social inequalities in Britain. The session is delivered by a real sociologist who co-authored a text on social inequalities, called Social Problems in the UK: An Introduction (Routledge). The session is designed to meet the needs of A-level sociology students studying social inequalities or any other sociology related subject in the social sciences.
Duration: 60 minutes
Maximum number of students: 60
Crime, deviance and symbolic interactionism
In this session, your students will gain an understanding of crime and deviance through the lens of a sociological theory called 'symbolic interactionism'. They will learn how social interaction is integral to developing social meaning and how this relates to social groups, social identity and the formation of subcultures. Students learn about key concepts such as: social meaning, social context, social interaction, labelling theory, and subcultural theory. Ideal for students studying crime and deviance for A-level sociology (or similar equivalent level courses), this session teaches traditional theories which are used by sociologists and criminologists wishing to understand the criminal world.
Duration: 60 minutes
Maximum number of students: 60
