1328822212 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/ en tutor2u.net Copyright 2012 2012-02-09T22:14:51+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 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/boys-underperformance-at-gcse http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/boys-underperformance-at-gcse#When:14:19:00Z This discussion thread on the TES website might prove a useful tool in discussing boys’ underachievement with sixth formers. 2011-09-10T14:19:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/marxism http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/marxism#When:08:49:00Z For those of you introducing capitalism to AS students in the next few weeks, or trying to get A2 students to develop their understanding further, this article might make a good discussion point.  In particular, it could help students to apply the theory to contemporary issues and events. 2011-09-04T08:49:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/social-surveys http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/social-surveys#When:09:39:00Z A lovely article from the BBC about the ONS and some of the surveys it has carried out: from how many bras women owned in 1941, to sex and contraception in 2001.  Read it here. The ONS survey highlights would make a good starter for lessons on methods and / or social change; read it here. 2011-09-03T09:39:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/the-london-riots-and-poverty http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/the-london-riots-and-poverty#When:11:02:00Z I’m not sure who put this together, but this map overlays locations of recent unrest with areas of deprivation.  A good starting point for discussion about the root causes…  (warning - it can be slow to load) 2011-08-11T11:02:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/carrot-or-stick-a-horizon-guide-to-raising-kids http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/carrot-or-stick-a-horizon-guide-to-raising-kids#When:10:57:00Z BBC4 are screening a Horizon documentary this evening (Thursday 11th August, 8-9pm), looking at how parenting techniques have changed, and theory behind those changes.  Sure it will be worth a watch, and I shall be recording it for future A level lessons on childhood. 2011-08-11T10:57:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/social-climbing http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/social-climbing#When:08:43:00Z An interesting article about whether ‘social climbing’ is a good thing.  I wonder whether the assumption that it is still viewed as a negative aspect, remains true today anyway.  What do you think? 2011-07-31T08:43:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/family-types-card-game http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/family-types-card-game#When:20:10:00Z A card game for GCSE students studying the family, to help them identify types and definitions.  It’s a simple pairing exercise - instructions included. family_type_cards.doc 2011-07-29T20:10:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/the-happiness-index http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/the-happiness-index#When:12:48:00Z People in the UK believe their well-being should be measured in terms of health, friends and family and job satisfaction, according to a report by the Office of National Statistics.  Read the article here.  The report can be downloaded here. 2011-07-29T12:48:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/children-who-dont-know-their-own-name http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/children-who-dont-know-their-own-name#When:12:04:00Z A snippet from Radio 4 highlighting the problem of children arriving at school who don’t even know their own names.  The blame is levelled at television and the internet and the failure of families to engage in discussion.  Listen to it here. 2011-07-29T12:04:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/children-behaving-badly http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/children-behaving-badly#When:08:47:00Z The BBC screened a programme, Classroom Secrets, earlier this week, that showed footage of how children really behave in class.  You can see the programme on BBCiplayer, and there is a short clip along with brief details about the programme, here. 2011-07-17T08:47:00+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/ben-goldacre-bad-science http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/sociology/comments/ben-goldacre-bad-science#When:14:33:00Z For those that haven’t yet come across Ben Goldacre, he debunks examples of bad science.  His articles are insightful and make useful starting points for discussion at A2 (value-free research / the positivism debate) and AS (for those looking at health particularly).  His website can be found here. 2011-06-24T14:33:00+00:00