Sociology
Unit 1-4
Sociology focuses on the study of human behaviour and social interaction to understand how societies are organised, develop and change. There is no single sociological perspective, rather, there are several theories that offer different ways of understanding human society. Sociologists use these theories and frameworks in a complementary way to attempt to objectively examine social issues and explain concepts. In VCE Sociology students examine key theories regarding family, deviance, ethnicity, community and social movements.
VCE Sociology provides valuable knowledge and skills for participation in everyday life. It develops a capacity for detailed observation of social patterns and group behaviour and encourages students to become aware of and to think about daily life and activities, as well as wider social issues, from a sociological perspective. This study broadens students’ insights into key sociological frameworks and social institutions, enabling them to pursue further formal study at a tertiary level or in vocational education and training settings.
Student Testimonial
Sociology is an enticing subject for people who are interested in a subject that has real world
applications, both for wider society and your everyday interactions. It encourages you to access higher order of thinking to achieve critical analysis, allowing you to think about societal issues in a new way. In a sociology classroom you will experience an inclusive group where everyone's opinions are heard and valued.Olivia and Bella
Structure
The study is made up of four units.
Unit 2: Social norms: breaking the code
Unit 3: Culture and ethnicity
Unit 4: Community, social change and social movement
Each unit deals with specific content contained in areas of study and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes for that unit.
Unit 1: Youth and Family
This unit uses sociological methodology to explore the social category of youth and the social institution of family. Students explores the way youth is constructed as a social category, in the light of differing experiences of young people and examine a range of factors that lead to different experiences of youth, such as stereotypes of young people in a context characterised by a rich diversity in the ways young people live. Students explore the concept of the family and the role it plays in a multicultural society like Australia, different communities have different kinds of families and experiences of family life.
Unit 2: Crime and Deviance
In this unit students explore the concepts of deviance and crime. The study of these concepts from a sociological perspective involves ascertaining the types and degree of rule breaking behaviour, examining traditional views of criminality and deviance and analysing why people commit crimes or engage in deviant behaviour. It also involves consideration of the justice system, how the understanding of crime and deviance has changed over time, and the relationship between crime and other aspects of a society, such as gender and ethnicity.
Unit 3: Culture and Ethnicity
This unit explores expressions of culture and ethnicity within Australian society in two different contexts – Australian Indigenous culture, and ethnicity in relation to migrant groups. Students will critically explore the historical suppression of, and increasing public awareness of, Australian Indigenous culture from Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives. Students will explore Australia’s ethnic diversity in the context of the key sociological category ethnicity and will critically interrogate the enablers and barriers influencing members of ethnic groups and their sense of belonging and inclusion in multicultural Australia.
Unit 4: Community, social change and social movement
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. Students examine the changing definitions and experiences of community including challenges and opportunities posed by political, social, economic and technological change through the detailed investigation into a specific community. Students critically interrogate the role of social movements to achieve social change, i.e. The Black Lives Matter movement. Students develop an understanding of the purpose, evolution, power and outcomes of social movements through the detailed investigation into a specific social movement.
Pathways
The study of VCE Sociology can lead to tertiary pathways related to work with social groups and social processes, such as in culture resource management and community development, or work with minority and ethnic groups. It can lead to work in fields that address issues such as crime and substance abuse, youth and family matters, industrial relations, social justice and social issues related to health care. The study of VCE Sociology helps develop skills involved in social research, including: developing surveys, collecting data, and conducting interviews and fieldwork, including the analysis, interpretation and presentation of the information collected.