3 minute read
Social Sciences
CRIMINOLOGY Charlie Foreman
Year 12 have had a fantastic first year in learning criminology and have really excelled, despite the challenges of learning during lockdown. For the first half of the year the students were introduced to the language and study of criminology. This included different types of crime, reasons why crimes might go under-reported, how the media presents criminal behaviour and how certain horrific crimes can lead to campaigns for change in laws and policies. Most students did well in their controlled assessment at Christmas. In the second half of the year the classes learned many different theories about why someone might become criminal from psychological, sociological and biological viewpoints, as well as different policies for the prevention of crime that have stemmed from these theories, some more shocking than others. Year 12 were particularly interested to learn about eugenics, chemical castration and aversion therapy although most agreed that these more controversial crime prevention strategies were not very effective. Year 13 have also successfully navigated their way through lockdown to complete their last year of criminology to a high standard. During the first half of the year they learned about what happens through the Criminal Justice System, from when a crime is first discovered, all the way through to when a person is convicted of a crime. Students really enjoyed studying crime scene forensic processes, as well as the ‘prison experience’ of what happens when a suspect is remanded into custody. Throughout this unit the pupils analysed the validity of many different case studies, from local cases like the Stephen Lawrence murder to well publicised global cases, such as OJ Simpson. In the last 5 months year 13 have been taught about what happens to a perpetrator after conviction. They also examined the various different types of punishment we use in the UK, and whether those punishments work effectively to reduce crime rates and criminal behaviour. Finally, students gained a solid understanding of all the agencies involved in rehabilitating offenders, from the police though to probation, and how funding cuts have changed the purpose of these over time.
SOCIOLOGY Natalie Croucher
Year 10 sociologists have been studying the education unit examining what factors influence a student’s examination success. They have studied different social groups in order to compare whether educational success is due to internal factors, external factors or a combination of the two.
Year 11 sociologists spent the year consolidating their understanding in sociology, the particularly enjoyed revising the crime and deviance unit. They enjoyed studying the different sociological motivations for crime including subcultures, strain theory and status frustration. Many of our sociologists are planning to study Criminology in year 12 to explore these theories further.
Year 13 have had a fantastic year producing exception extended answers demonstrating their analytical and critical thinking skills. Their conceptual knowledge is extensive and they can apply these difficult ideas to aspects of modern UK society. Many of our students are going on to university to study law, criminology and criminology and sociology as a direct result of studying sociology. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY Natalie Coucher
Year 12 have had an excellent year in Anthropology examining the area of inquiry conflict, students have been reading the ethnography In Search of Respect by Phillip Bourgois. Students have enjoyed examining different types of conflict across a range of communities. They are now working on their research for their IAs where they have designed their own research question we are really excited to read their findings. In September year 13 completed their IAs which involved students creating their own research question that linked to one of the four areas of inquiry that we study at Knole. The most popular areas of inquiry was the body. Students really enjoyed studying the ethnography Pretty Modern by Alexander Edmonds and wanted to complete their own research into people’s perception of the body. Phoebe created an excellent investigation into beauty ideals in the 21st century and whether they have become unobtainable in our society. To answer this Phoebe completed questionnaires and interviews with a range of women, she concluded that due to social media and plastic surgery women are no longer happy with natural beauty and that this is having a negative impact upon the mental and physical health of women in our society. The class have worked hard over the last two years and have produced excellent thought-provoking work. The class have done exceptionally well in Social and Cultural Anthropology with 4 students achieving the a top grade 7, we are so proud of them all.
