Teen gangs programme
This looks like a potentially interesting programme, tonight at 9pm.
teen gangs
AQA AS and A2 revision handouts
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.
read more...»History of Marriage
a neat little summary of the history of marriage. 10 key moments.
Britishness
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?
read more...»privatising policing
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.
GCSE sample answers - education
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
Interviews
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.
Parenting the French way
A fascinating article about cross-cultural differences in parenting. It would make a great resource for discussing the question of ‘child-centred’ families.
Population statistics
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.
read more...»Media and Image
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.
read more...»right to die - suicide
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.
TED - videoed talks
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?’
Methods: strengths and weaknesses
Some card sorting activities on methods, for GCSE or A level.
observation_sorting_activity.docx
Official_Statistics_sorting_activity.doc
questionnaires_sorting_activity.docx
Wikipedia ‘blackout’
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.
read more...»Feminism and Technology
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’.
read more...»Evaluating Research methods
A simple evaluation template for research methods.
methods_evaluation.doc
Single Sex education
An article in the Guardian about the benefits of single sex education for girls. Read it here.
Routine and exam success
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.
Policing the riots
The Home Office report on policing the riots. Essential reading for Crime and Deviance students.
Violence and terror - Bauman
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
Health - animated lecture
Great animated video about research into the benefits of exercise. Watch it here.
Mass Media: Facebook
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.
Traditional family?
A survey by the Centre for the Modern Family suggests that few people feel part of a ‘traditional’ family. Read about it here.
Crime and Deviance - London riots
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.
Contraception
Useful article about the impact of the introduction of the contraceptive pill.
Press Ethics
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.
Family incomes
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.
GCSE quizzes and games
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.
Research methods: questionnaires
A great online exercise for evaluating questionnaires.
http://wads.le.ac.uk/gg/orm/timingform.htm
Educational Attainment and reading
OECD study shows the importance of reading to children in their first years at school. Read it here.
