Social Science Course Leaflet 17-18

PSYCHOLOGY linear A LEVEL course content

ABOUT the subject Psychology is an alternative and challenging science which looks at the behaviour, mental processes and experiences which shape who we are.

We cover a wide variety of topics that will make you think very differently about everyday things such as crime, childhood and mental illness.

specific entry criteria Grade 5 in GCSE English Language and grade 4 in GCSE Maths plus grade C in a GCSE Science subject (other than Core).

ASSESSMENT There is no coursework on A Level Psychology: all modules are assessed by external examination.

There are three two-hour exams at the end of the second year, which together contribute to your A Level grade.

social sciences AT HUDDERSFIELD NEW COLLEGE

Year 1 Cognitive psychology focuses on the structure of memory, reasons why we forget, and the reliability of eyewitness testimonies in courtroom settings.

Research methods cover all the different techniques used to study and analyse human behaviour. You will learn how to design and carry out your own experiment.

Attachment is the study of the importance of early childhood experiences and how they affect our later development, ways in which babies bond with their parents, and the effects of losing a parent.

Social psychology looks at how other people influence our behaviour. We investigate reasons for conformity and obedience (could you be influenced to inflict pain on a complete stranger?) and the nature of the authoritarian personality. There are many studies of dubious ethical value in this section, so we need to study psychology’s ethical guidelines, which tell us what we should and shouldn’t do when conducting research.

Psychopathology looks at symptoms, causes and treatments for phobia, depression and OCD. You will get to study these disorders and try some of the treatment methods yourself.

Approaches is the study of the various schools of psychological thought, including behaviourism, cognitive, psychodynamic and humanist psychology.

There will be an exam assessment at the end of the first year to assess your progress.

Year 2 In Year 2, you get to study various applications of psychological theory.

You will have the chance to study the following: Biological psychology will look at neurological research into localisation of function in the brain, and the difference between brain imaging techniques (EEG, MRI, PET).

Gender is the study of the development of gender identity, from both a biological and a psychological viewpoint. We will also study genderrelated disorders.

We will also study schizophrenia in detail, looking at the symptoms, causes and therapies for this disorder.

Forensic psychology is the study of the nature of crime and offender profiling.

We will study whether criminal behaviour is caused biologically or psychologically, the nature of the criminal personality and methods of treating offending behaviour.

Finally, you will have the opportunity to study the various issues and debates in psychology, including bias found in research and ethical issues with psychological studies.

If you need the information in this leaflet presented in a different way please contact Erika Montgomery on 01484 652341 or info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk

“HNC has prepared me for life at university. My time here has really developed my independence and responsibility skills.”

2017 . 2018

Social Sciences is a large and well-established department at Huddersfield New College.

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and cognitive function. You will study theories and research studies, conduct your own experiments and statistically analyse data.

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JADE BARBER

01484 652341 @ info@huddnewcoll.ac.uk

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School: The Crossley Heath School Studied: A Level Psychology, L3 Certificate/Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care and Applied Science Destination: Sports Psychology at Edge Hill University

Sociology is the study of different social groups within society. On the course you will examine different behaviours based on class, gender and ethnicity, and investigate different topics including crime, education, family types and religious belief.

Criminology is the study of criminal behaviour. You will study themes of crime, learn about the roles and processes within the court room and build knowledge on how to investigate crime scenes.

MEET THE TEAM • • • • • • •

Tracey Holland Adam Midgley Danielle Brockley Lisa Jones Zoe Martin Craig Veevers Suffiya Mahmood

WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Criminology

sociology linear A LEVEL course content

ABOUT the subject Every one of us is a sociologist. Even though you probably won’t have studied Sociology as an academic discipline in school, as a member of society you will be living this subject every day.

Sociology is a rigorous and challenging academic discipline that aims to open your eyes to the world.

The course introduces you to sociological ideas, concepts, evidence and argument by examining key aspects of the contemporary world. By the end of the course, you should have built excellent evaluative skills and be able to apply sociological ideas to the world around you.

In class and through guided study, you will explore debates and issues, develop ideas, and critically evaluate what you find. These are highly important skills valued by both employers and universities alike. As an individual, you will have a greater understanding of the social world around you, and you may never see the world the same again!

ASSESSMENT All units will be assessed by exams at the end of two years.

specific entry criteria Grade 5 in GCSE English Language plus grade C in a traditional written subject, for example GCSE History or English Literature.

Paper 1 Education with Theory and Methods

whether things are really getting better over time.

How fair is the education system?

Why do the same types of people fail every year? Issues such as why girls are outperforming boys at GCSE, along with the debate that the education system is not as fair as it apparently seems, are examined in this unit. Pupil subcultures, the effects of teacher labelling and why working class children underachieve are among the issues we look at. There is a focus on the methods used to research wider society and the education system, such as the pitfalls involved in going undercover in the classroom to observe teacher-pupil interaction.

We also study beliefs in society and discover why it is that no human society has ever existed without spiritual/ religious beliefs. We look at both the benefits of religion in society by bringing groups together and also the harm and conflict it can cause when taken to its extremes. We look at the decline in Christianity in Europe and the rise in fundamentalism around the world. Nobody can fully understand the world without knowing about people’s belief systems and how they shape the world we are in.

Paper 2 Topics in Sociology In this unit we look at various issues in society focussing on family and beliefs.

We examine debates concerning the perceived moral decline of family life, and the effect of the welfare state on the family and wider society. We look at the increase in divorce and children born outside marriage, as well as questioning whether families are important to us. We will be examining demographic trends in the UK since 1900 and looking at reasons for changes in birth rates, death rates and family size. We study the “dark side” of family life and childhood, assessing

Paper 3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods Why do some people become criminals? Why do men and women commit different crimes? Why do some things become criminal while other equally harmful practices are legal? In this unit we discover the patterns of crime in society, assess the effectiveness of various crime prevention strategies and look at the effects of globalisation on crimes such as human trafficking and the drug trade. In this unit we also look at complex theoretical debates about the nature of society and how to study it, including debates about objectivity, whether sociology can be a science and the effect of sociology on social policy.

course content

ABOUT the subject

I love how you are treated like adults by the teachers. they helped me to strengthen my cv and gain work experience.

– Emily Jarvis A Level Psychology and Photography L3 Certificate/Extended Certificate in Personal and Business Finance

Not all types of crime are alike. What different types of crime take place in our society? How do we decide what behaviour is criminal? What is the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance? How do we explain why people commit crime? What happens to those who commit a crime? Why and how do we punish people? What organisations do we have in our society to control criminality?

The course introduces you to criminological ideas, concepts, evidence and arguments by examining key aspects of the causes and problems associated with crime. By the end of the course, you should have built excellent evaluative skills and a deeper understanding of different crimes and their effects on society.

In class and through guided study, you will explore debates and issues, develop ideas, and critically evaluate what you find. These are highly important skills valued by both employers and universities alike. As an individual, you will have a greater understanding of crime in society, you will have a more open view of the causes and punishment of crime. After two years of study you will receive the equivilent of one A Level. If you’re considering a traditional university, you may wish to refer to their entry criteria in regards to WJEC Diploma qualifications.

Unit 1 Changing Awareness of Crime

Unit 4 Crime and Punishment

You will develop an understanding of different types of crime, the influences and perceptions of crime and why some go unreported. Knowing about a wide range of different crimes and the reasons people have for not reporting such crimes provides an understanding of the complexity of behaviours and the social implications of such crimes and criminality.

Unit 4 encourages learners to apply their understanding and awareness of criminality, criminological theories and the process of bringing the accused to court in order to evaluate the effectiveness of social control to deliver criminal justice policy.

Unit 2 Criminological Theory Criminological theory enables you to gain an understanding of why people commit certain crimes drawing on aspects of Unit 1 whilst analysing different theories and opinions. You will also explore the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance, why there is a difference and what causes people to behave in such a way.

Unit 3 Crime Scene to Court Room This unit provides learners with an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment the crime has been identified through to the verdict.

You will develop an understanding of the skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases.

ASSESSMENT Two units are assessed by exam, two by controlled assessments (not coursework). You will have one exam and one controlled assessment in the first year and the same again in the second year.

Year 1 Unit 1 - Controlled Assessment Unit 2 - Exam Year 2 Unit 3 - Controlled Assessment Unit 4 - Exam

specific entry criteria Grade 4 in GCSE English Language plus grade C in a traditional written subject, for example GCSE History or English Literature.