1338048278 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/ en tutor2u.net Copyright 2012 2012-05-26T19:03:37+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/teacher-student-relationships http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/teacher-student-relationships#When:19:03:37Z A great one for teachers and a good one for students to consider the importance and difficulties of teacher student relationships in school. Read it here. TOPIC THEMES, Education, 2012-05-26T19:03:37+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/the-queens-speech http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/the-queens-speech#When:20:34:18Z essential reading for budding young sociologists.  Read here. TOPIC THEMES, Families, Individual & society, Social Inequality, Social policy & welfare, 2012-05-10T20:34:18+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/sociology-ferret-video-clips http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/sociology-ferret-video-clips#When:17:13:45Z Some great and fun videos created by a sociology teacher and her students to illustrate some of the key ideas in A level sociology. http://www.youtube.com/user/SociologyFerret REVISION NOTES, TOPIC THEMES, 2012-04-21T17:13:45+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/media-and-the-law-privacy-issues http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/media-and-the-law-privacy-issues#When:17:54:14Z New legislation proposed by government would allow them to monitor all emails, calls and web use, without requiring permission from a magistrate.  A great debating point for any lesson, and am important issue. Read a brief article about it here. TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Individual & society, Mass media, Power, 2012-04-01T17:54:14+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/teen-gangs-programme http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/teen-gangs-programme#When:17:57:35Z This looks like a potentially interesting programme, tonight at 9pm. teen gangs TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Youth & culture, 2012-03-27T17:57:35+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/aqa-as-and-a2-revision-handouts http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/aqa-as-and-a2-revision-handouts#When:16:02:22Z These form part of the revision pack I put together for students.  They include a checklist of topics (from the specification) and examples of all past questions up to the most recent summer exam (I hold back the January exams for mocks). The AS guide is for Unit 1: Families and Households and Unit 2: Education with Research Methods The A2 guide is for Unit 3: Mass Media and Unit 4: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods. Please feel free to adapt and use. REVISION NOTES, TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Education, Families, Mass media, TEACHING SOCIOLOGY, 2012-03-19T16:02:22+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/history-of-marriage http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/history-of-marriage#When:07:26:17Z a neat little summary of the history of marriage.  10 key moments. TOPIC THEMES, Families, Individual & society, Popular culture, Religion, Studying society, 2012-03-14T07:26:17+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/britishness http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/britishness#When:18:43:23Z The question of what it means to be ‘British’ is one that appears to have greatly vexed the Government.  They blame a lack of ‘Britishness’ for any failings in society and have a test specifically designed to weed out those not ‘British’ enough to own a British passport.  Teachers are expected to instil British values in students and it is promoted in society.  But what on earth is it? TOPIC THEMES, Individual & society, Popular culture, Studying society, 2012-03-05T18:43:23+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/privatising-policing http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/privatising-policing#When:19:01:31Z The recent news story about the privatisation of certain police services has already sparked some vibrant reactions on facebook and other social media.  I am using it as a starter in my next crime and deviance lesson to consider what impact it might have on policing and society in general.  It offers a great opportunity to reflect on different theoretical perspectives.  This is how it has been reported on the BBC. TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Individual & society, Power, 2012-03-03T19:01:31+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/gcse-sample-answers-education http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/gcse-sample-answers-education#When:16:46:21Z An exercise looking at, and marking, sample 5 mark answers to help develop an understanding of the marking criteria at GCSE. Remember to take the marks out when giving to students! 5_mark_sample_answers_teacher_version.docx TOPIC THEMES, Education, 2012-02-26T16:46:21+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/interviews http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/interviews#When:11:45:23Z For those wanting a more humorous way into discussing the weaknesses of interviews as a method of research, this letter by Mark Twain might prove useful. REVISION NOTES, Research Methods, TOPIC THEMES, Studying society, TEACHING SOCIOLOGY, 2012-02-17T11:45:23+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/parenting-the-french-way http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/parenting-the-french-way#When:22:14:51Z A fascinating article about cross-cultural differences in parenting.  It would make a great resource for discussing the question of ‘child-centred’ families. TOPIC THEMES, Families, Gender, Individual & society, Popular culture, 2012-02-09T22:14:51+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/population-statistics http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/population-statistics#When:11:02:16Z I’ve seen a number of interesting stories and programmes exploring ideas relating to population levels.  The most recent was this morning on the BBC, asking if the number of people alive today (about 7 billion) outnumbers the number of people that have ever lived on earth.  Most of these debates centre on the fear that at some point there will be too many people for the world to handle. TOPIC THEMES, Families, Health, Individual & society, Social Inequality, Social policy & welfare, Studying society, 2012-02-04T11:02:16+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/media-and-image http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/media-and-image#When:13:14:06Z This is a fantastic commentary of the images of women portrayed by the media, commenting on how they project an impossibly flawless ideal.  Jean Kilbourne argues, not just that this image leads to increasing eating disorders and mental health issues among teenage girls, but that the objectification of women’s bodies contributes to a growth in violence against women. Watch the video and see if you agree. TOPIC THEMES, Education, Gender, Health, Individual & society, Mass media, Popular culture, Power, TEACHING SOCIOLOGY, 2012-01-29T13:14:06+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/right-to-die-suicide http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/right-to-die-suicide#When:18:52:42Z This story of a man’s campaign to the right to die, would make an interesting contemporary update for those studying suicide in Unit 4.  Read it here. 2012-01-27T18:52:42+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/ted-videoed-talks http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/ted-videoed-talks#When:22:27:24Z TED is a fantastic resources of talks on a multitude of subjects.  Go and have a browse - you are sure to find something interesting / fun / challenging / useful / eye-opening…  I like this selection on ‘what makes us happy?’ REVISION NOTES, TOPIC THEMES, Individual & society, Mass media, Popular culture, Power, Protest & social movements, Religion, Social Inequality, Social policy & welfare, Studying society, TEACHING SOCIOLOGY, 2012-01-23T22:27:24+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/methods-strengths-and-weaknesses http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/methods-strengths-and-weaknesses#When:18:29:30Z Some card sorting activities on methods, for GCSE or A level. observation_sorting_activity.docx Official_Statistics_sorting_activity.doc questionnaires_sorting_activity.docx REVISION NOTES, Research Methods, TOPIC THEMES, Studying society, 2012-01-21T18:29:30+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/wikipedia-blackout http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/wikipedia-blackout#When:20:41:58Z Wikipedia’s decision to stage a 24hour ‘blackout’, in response to threatened US legislation, should make an interesting discussion starter for anyone studying media and / or crime and deviance. TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Mass media, Popular culture, Protest & social movements, 2012-01-18T20:41:58+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/feminism-and-technology http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/feminism-and-technology#When:14:14:32Z This year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show) has caused some controversy, with companies employing ‘booth babes’ to help promote their products.  You can watch a news clip here, featuring interviews with attendees and ‘babes’. TOPIC THEMES, Gender, Individual & society, Mass media, Popular culture, Power, Social Inequality, 2012-01-15T14:14:32+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/evaluating-research-methods http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/evaluating-research-methods#When:13:50:34Z A simple evaluation template for research methods. methods_evaluation.doc REVISION NOTES, Research Methods, TOPIC THEMES, Studying society, TEACHING SOCIOLOGY, 2012-01-15T13:50:34+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/single-sex-education http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/single-sex-education#When:17:13:20Z An article in the Guardian about the benefits of single sex education for girls.  Read it here. 2012-01-08T17:13:20+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/routine-and-exam-success http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/routine-and-exam-success#When:20:35:24Z Apologies for the radio silence, but I have been enjoying a well-earned holiday!  I plan to upload some new resources as soon as I can grab a chance between A level re-sit revision sessions, but in the meantime, take a look at this article on the link between daily routine and exam grades. 2012-01-03T20:35:24+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/policing-the-riots http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/policing-the-riots#When:10:50:03Z The Home Office report on policing the riots.  Essential reading for Crime and Deviance students. TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, 2011-12-20T10:50:03+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/violence-and-terror-bauman http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/violence-and-terror-bauman#When:20:45:40Z Zygmunt Bauman: ‘No one is in control. That is the major source of contemporary fear’ – video.  For Zygmunt Bauman the world is marked by a division between power and politics. While politics is defined by nations, power no longer recognises national boundaries TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Individual & society, Power, Protest & social movements, 2011-12-12T20:45:40+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/health-animated-lecture http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/health-animated-lecture#When:08:12:02Z Great animated video about research into the benefits of exercise.  Watch it here. TOPIC THEMES, Families, Health, Individual & society, Social policy & welfare, 2011-12-11T08:12:02+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/mass-media-facebook http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/mass-media-facebook#When:21:01:28Z Facebook provides plenty of fodder for lessons on the mass media at A level or GCSE.  Try this story summarising what people are actually talking about on facebook the most. TOPIC THEMES, Individual & society, Mass media, Popular culture, Studying society, 2011-12-08T21:01:28+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/traditional-family http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/traditional-family#When:18:08:43Z A survey by the Centre for the Modern Family suggests that few people feel part of a ‘traditional’ family.  Read about it here. TOPIC THEMES, Families, Individual & society, Popular culture, Social policy & welfare, Studying society, 2011-12-06T18:08:43+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/crime-and-deviance-london-riots http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/crime-and-deviance-london-riots#When:06:39:15Z The government published last week their interim report on the violence during the summer.  You can find it here. The LSE and the Guardian newspaper also carried out research, interviewing many of those involved.  The findings are summarised in an article here. TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Individual & society, Mass media, Power, Protest & social movements, Social Inequality, Social policy & welfare, Studying society, Youth & culture, 2011-12-05T06:39:15+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/contraception http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/contraception#When:20:55:03Z Useful article about the impact of the introduction of the contraceptive pill. TOPIC THEMES, Education, Families, Gender, Health, Individual & society, Popular culture, Social Inequality, 2011-12-04T20:55:03+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/press-ethics http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/press-ethics#When:22:50:40Z Any student studying Mass Media for Unit 3, should be aware of the Leveson inquiry - a goldmine of examples!  The BBC have been doing a rolling commentary on the witness statements, including that by Campbell here. TOPIC THEMES, Individual & society, Mass media, Popular culture, Power, Protest & social movements, 2011-11-30T22:50:40+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/family-incomes1 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/family-incomes1#When:18:09:54Z I’m having trouble uploading resources to the website currently, but there are plenty of stories in the news that provide a good basis for discussion.  One on the BBC today questions how easy it is to live on £40,000pa (the average combined income for two adults in the UK).  Read it here. TOPIC THEMES, Families, Individual & society, Power, Social Inequality, Social policy & welfare, 2011-11-30T18:09:54+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/gcse-quizzes-and-games http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/gcse-quizzes-and-games#When:22:25:39Z If anybody else is feeling like me at the moment, then it is a good time to (re)discover Chris Gardner’s excellent website: lots of quizzes, games and notes for GCSE Sociology, several of which I use profitably with AS level as well. Link. REVISION NOTES, TOPIC THEMES, Education, Families, Studying society, TEACHING SOCIOLOGY, 2011-11-10T22:25:39+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/research-methods-questionnaires http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/research-methods-questionnaires#When:20:21:24Z A great online exercise for evaluating questionnaires.  http://wads.le.ac.uk/gg/orm/timingform.htm REVISION NOTES, Research Methods, TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Education, Individual & society, 2011-11-08T20:21:24+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/educational-attainment-and-reading http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/educational-attainment-and-reading#When:20:19:47Z OECD study shows the importance of reading to children in their first years at school.  Read it here. 2011-11-08T20:19:47+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/growing-populations http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/growing-populations#When:15:23:41Z The growing population of our planet is of great interest to sociologists, and of concern to many.  This neat app on the BBC lets you work out what ‘number’ you are - a great little starter for discussion. TOPIC THEMES, Crime & Deviance, Families, Individual & society, Social Inequality, Social policy & welfare, Studying society, 2011-10-27T15:23:41+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/suggar-daddies http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/suggar-daddies#When:13:36:37Z Sugar Daddy parties in the UK - is it a form of prostitution?  Is it sexist?  Or is it simply a rebirth of traditional relationships where the man is the provider?  You decide. Read the story here. 2011-10-25T13:36:37+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/gender-and-educational-achievement http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/gender-and-educational-achievement#When:12:38:00Z An interesting link I came across recently which explores the issue of boys underachievement at GCSE in more depth.  There is a chapter you can download, along with a presentation, both of which contain useful information that could be adapted for use with sixth-former, or potentially GCSE students. TOPIC THEMES, Education, Gender, Youth & culture, 2011-10-22T12:38:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/politics-and-democracy http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/politics-and-democracy#When:11:51:54Z An interesting discussion of recent changes to electoral procedure; useful as a starting point for discussions about democracy and the balance of power.  Read here. 2011-10-21T11:51:54+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/african-caribbean-underachievement http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/african-caribbean-underachievement#When:08:04:53Z Interesting and baldly stated article about reasons for underachievement by black boys.  A good starting point for a lesson. TOPIC THEMES, Education, Gender, Social Inequality, Youth & culture, 2011-10-21T08:04:53+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/modern-crimes-and-moral-panics http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/modern-crimes-and-moral-panics#When:21:21:09Z Nice story for a starter about a father in trouble for taking a photograph of his daughter in a shopping centre.  Read it here. 2011-10-10T21:21:09+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/race-and-identity http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/race-and-identity#When:21:17:20Z Fascinating programme about race and identity on BBC2 tonight, that will be repeated Tuesday 11:20pm and Wednesday 12:20am. 2011-10-10T21:17:20+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/year-10-assessment http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/year-10-assessment#When:12:22:38Z Here is an assessment I put together for my year 10, based mainly on the studying society element of Unit 1.  It is accompanied by a detailed peer marking exercise with model answers to assist. 2011-10-08T12:22:38+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/4-thought-mixed-race-marriages http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/4-thought-mixed-race-marriages#When:08:51:51Z 4 Thought on channel 4 present short viewpoints on a wide variety of subjects that might be useful as starters for discussion points.  Yesterday’s was on mixed race marriages.  The BBC have also commented on the issue, here. 2011-10-02T08:51:51+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/educating-essex http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/educating-essex#When:22:05:00Z Don’t be misled by the title or the pictures on the website, this series is a great fly-on-the-wall look at comprehensive education today.  There is bullying, dating, teaching and even some learning.  Take a look at the programmes here. 2011-09-29T22:05:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/sleep-and-learning http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/sleep-and-learning#When:14:06:00Z A joint research carried out by UAB and Ramon Llull University, published in the journal Cultura y Educación, indicates that children sleeping less than nine hours and with bad sleeping habits - such as going to bed late - do worse academically. The study was carried out in several schools with children aged 6 and 7. You can read an executive summary here. 2011-09-17T14:06:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/children-as-brand-ambassadors http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/children-as-brand-ambassadors#When:13:55:00Z The BBC discusses the ethical issues of using children as brand ambassadors to sell products. 2011-09-17T13:55:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/community-sentencing-or-punishment http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/community-sentencing-or-punishment#When:12:24:00Z Interesting discussion of the point of jail and the merits of community sentencing.  Read it here. 2011-09-17T12:24:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/riots-and-statistics http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/riots-and-statistics#When:21:52:00Z An excellent piece on the BBC looking at the statistics associated with the riots.  Good ‘methods in context’ material for A2 Crime and Deviance. Read it here. 2011-09-15T21:52:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/plotting-the-riots http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/plotting-the-riots#When:14:55:00Z Another map, this time linking the homes of those charged in relation to the riots in Manchester, to areas of deprivation.  A good stimulus for discussing causes of crime. 2011-09-10T14:55:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/targeting-crime-hotspots http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/targeting-crime-hotspots#When:14:45:00Z A study led by University College London suggests that targeting crime ‘hotspots’ is a good way of cutting offending, because most criminals are too lazy to go elsewhere.  The study has been printed in the Jourmal of Experimental Criminology and you must be a subscriber to download the full report, but the abstract is below.  Mark Easton, writing for the BBC, has also discuss the study, here. 2011-09-10T14:45:00+00:00