Families and Households:

How has family life changed in recent decades? Is the traditional nuclear family still the most common type of family? Is the nuclear family a sexist institution? Why is the divorce-rate significantly higher now than it was in the 1960s? How has ‘childhood’ altered over recent decades? Is there a ‘dark side’ to family life?

Education:

Why have females achieved higher grades than males in recent decades? What is the pattern of achievement among ethnic minority groups in Britain? Why are white working-class males the worst performing group at GCSE? How does money and family background influence grades and life chances? What is the purpose of an education system: equal opportunities or social control?

The Sociology of Religion and Belief Systems:

Why is Christianity experiencing a long, slow death in British society? Are ethnic-minority faiths also declining in popularity? Do religious beliefs lead to harmony or conflict within communities and across the world? Is religion a ‘drug’ used to control the masses? Do all major world religions treat women as second-class citizens? What are the benefits of religion for individuals and wider society?

Crime and Deviance:

Is there a typical criminal in British society? Is there a typical victim? What causes crime: poverty…prejudice…poor parenting…peer group pressures? Should we be tough on criminals or tough on the causes of crime? What do males represent 95% of the prison population? Is policing institutionally racist? Is there ‘one law for the rich and another for the poor’?

Please note that not all courses will necessarily be at the site mentioned in our videos.