Sociology

Unit 1: Youth and family

In this unit, students will explore how and why the experience of being young differs, examining a range of factors which may lead to these variations in experience. They will draw on methods of science to understand who and why people behave the way they do when they interact in a group and attempt to do so with a reflective and critical mindset. Students will use sociological methodology to explore the social categories of youth and the social institution of family. They will explore different definitions of the family and investigate issues relating to the ever-changing nature of family and consider the key influences on family life and family as an institution.

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

• Explore the way the category and experience of youth and their construction as social categories, and examine a range of factors that lead to different experiences of youth 
• Examine the tension between a need to define categories of youth and adolescence, and the negative impacts of categorisation and stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination.
• Analyse the social institution of families, drawing on a range of theoretical approaches to explain the purpose, experiences and the developments influencing the experience of family.

Unit 2: Social norms: breaking the code

In this unit, students will explore the concepts of deviance and crime, including how what is considered deviant behaviour may differ according to age, social status and across time and space. They will learn that crime and its definition are shaped by a community’s sense of what is considered to be right and wrong and explore the aims and rationale of punishment in Australian society. 

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

• Analyse a range of sociological theories explaining deviant behaviour and the impact of moral panic on those considered deviant
• Discuss crime in Australia and evaluate the effectiveness of methods of punishment in the judicial system for shaping human behaviour. 

Unit 3: Culture and ethnicity

In this unit, students explore expressions of culture and ethnicity within Australian society in two different contexts – Australian Indigenous cultures, and ethnicity in relation to migrant groups.

Area of Study 1 - Australian Indigenous cultures

In Area of Study 1, students critically explore the historical suppression of, and increasing public awareness of, Australian Indigenous cultures. They examine the past and its influence on subsequent generations, as well as contemporary factors that may support and/or limit increasing awareness of Australian Indigenous cultures. Students consider indigenous and non-indigenous perspectives and responses in their exploration.

Area of Study 2 - Ethnicity

In Area of Study 2, students investigate ethnicity as a key sociological category that plays an important role in social life. Individuals often define themselves, or others, as members of at least one ethnic group based on a common heritage that gives them a unique social identity. Ethnicity is not fixed and unchanging; instead, ethnic identities constantly evolve and are shaped through a variety of political, cultural and social forces. The concept is often used in contrast to the concept of race, which generally refers to groups based on visible physical characteristics such as skin colour and facial features. Most sociologists prefer to focus on the concept of ethnicity rather than race.

Students develop an understanding of a variety of factors that need to be considered when investigating experiences of ethnicity. For example, the way that a group sees itself might not correspond with the way that outsiders see it. Sometimes observers place people into broad ethnic categories that do not correspond with the views of individual group members.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to:

• Analyse the impacts of historical suppression and evaluate the increasing public awareness of Australian Indigenous cultures.
• Analyse experiences of ethnicity within Australian society.

Unit 4: Community, social movements and social change

In this unit, students explore the ways sociologists have thought about the idea of community and how the various types of community are experienced. They examine the relationship between social movements and social change. 

Area of Study 1 - Community

In Area of Study 1, students examine the changing definitions and experiences of community. This includes examination of the challenges and opportunities posed by political, social, economic and technological change. Students examine the concept of community with particular reference to the theories of Ferdinand Tonnies and Michel Maffesoli.

Area of Study 2 - Social movements and social change

In Area of Study 2, students investigate the role of social movements. A social movement involves a group engaged in an organised effort to achieve social change. Students develop an understanding of the purpose, evolution, power and outcomes of social movements.

On completion of this unit the student should be able to 

• Analyse the experience of community generally and analyse and evaluate a specific community.
• Analyse the nature and purpose of social movements and evaluate their influence on social change.