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PODCAST

Sociology Podcast

Sociology Podcast

A podcast discussing learned topics for A Level Sociology, covering a range of topics and exam support. Written by an experienced Sociology teacher and examiner for the AQA board.Season one: A Level Sociology - MediaSeason two: A Level Sociology - Families and HouseholdsSeason three: A Level Sociology - EducationSeason four: A Level Sociology - Crime and DevianceSeason five: A Level Sociology - Research MethodsSeason six: A Level Sociology - Theories of Society

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All Episodes

10:47

Functionalism and crime

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/08/07

This episode gives an overview of functionalist perspectives on crime and deviance, primarily through the lens of a sociology podcast episode and a supporting video. They highlight Émile Durkheim's assertion that crime is both inevitable and functional for society, serving to maintain boundaries and facilitate social change. The sources further explain Robert Merton's Strain Theory, which suggests that societal anomie arises when individuals lack legitimate means to achieve cultural goals, leading

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15:04

Globalisation and Education

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/25

This episode explores how globalisation and digital technology are fundamentally reshaping the landscape of education, particularly in the context of AQA A Level Sociology. It examines how the increasing interconnectedness of societies impacts educational policies through international comparisons and the rise of global educational corporations. Simultaneously, the text discusses the transformative role of digital tools and platforms, from enhancing access to information to altering teaching

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17:29

Marketisation and Privatisation in Education

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/25

This episode examines marketisation and privatisation within the education system, key concepts in AQA A-Level Sociology. It defines marketisation as the application of market principles like competition and consumer choice to state education, driven by New Right ideologies and implemented through policies such as league tables and formula funding. The source then explores the impacts of these policies, highlighting both the New Right view of increased standards and critical perspectives from

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18:18

Social Policies in Education

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/25

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of UK educational policy and its impact on social inequality since 1944, particularly focusing on social class, gender, and ethnicity. It explains key historical periods, including the Tripartite System, the Comprehensive System, and the era of Marketisation following the 1988 Education Reform Act. The text also analyses policies introduced by New Labour and subsequent Coalition/Conservative governments, assessing their aims and actual effects on reducing

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15:19

Social Processes Affecting Educational Attainment...

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/25

This episode explores differential educational achievement within the UK education system, specifically examining the varied outcomes among different social classes, genders, and ethnic groups. It meticulously analyses external factors originating from home and background, such as material deprivation, cultural deprivation, and cultural capital, alongside internal factors within schools, including labelling, setting and streaming, and pupil subcultures. The source details how these complex

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15:19

School Processes Affecting Educational Attainment...

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/25

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of relationships and processes within schools as a key area within the sociology of education. It examines how teacher-pupil interactions, particularly through labelling theory and the self-fulfilling prophecy, profoundly influence student outcomes. The text also discusses the formation of pupil identities and subcultures, such as pro- and anti-school groups, highlighting their impact on academic success and the reproduction of social inequalities

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18:08

Theories of Education

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/25

This episode explores sociological perspectives on the role and functions of education, primarily for the AQA A Level Sociology syllabus. It systematically outlines four major viewpoints: Functionalism, which sees education as crucial for social order and stability; Marxism, which posits education reproduces class inequality; Feminism, arguing education perpetuates gender disparities; and the New Right, which critiques state education and advocates for marketisation. The document details key

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18:53

Theories on the Family

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode outlines key sociological perspectives on families and households, offering diverse frameworks for understanding their nature, role, and functions within society. It examines Functionalist views, which see the family as vital for social stability, performing essential functions like socialisation and reproduction. The text also explores Marxist interpretations, asserting that the family serves the interests of capitalism by perpetuating class structures and consumerism. Furthermore, it

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12:00

Family Diversity

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode explores contemporary sociological perspectives on families, moving beyond traditional structural views to examine how individual choices and global processes increasingly shape family forms and relationships. It highlights the Personal Life Perspective, which emphasises the subjective meanings individuals give to their relationships, extending the concept of 'family' beyond biological or marital ties to include chosen families and even pets. Additionally, the text discusses

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17:26

Demographic changes

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode offers an overview of demography and social policy in the UK, specifically focusing on their impact on family and household structures. It details key demographic trends such as birth and death rates, life expectancy, the ageing population, and migration, explaining the reasons behind these changes and their consequences for family life, including the rise of diverse family forms. The text then examines various government social policies that influence families, from divorce legislation

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13:21

Couples and Domestic Labour

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode examines the evolution and contemporary dynamics of gender roles, domestic labour, and power within UK families. It begins by defining key sociological concepts such as gender roles, domestic labour, and power relationships within the household. The document then explores traditional family structures and the functionalist perspective, which viewed segregated roles as beneficial for society. Contrasting views are presented, including the "March of Progress" theory suggesting increasing

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20:51

Childhood

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode examines the concept of childhood, asserting that it is not a universal biological stage, but rather a social construct that varies significantly across cultures, historical periods, and social groups. It traces the historical emergence of modern Western childhood, linking it to factors like industrialisation and legislation, and contrasts it with experiences in other societies. The source also explores changing contemporary experiences of childhood in the UK, discussing ideas like a

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20:27

Family Patterns

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of changing family and household patterns in the UK since the mid-20th century, examining the reasons behind these shifts and their sociological interpretations. It explores the declining rates of marriage and the increase in cohabitation, alongside the fluctuations in divorce rates and the factors contributing to these changes, such as legal reforms, reduced stigma, and women's evolving roles. The text also discusses transformations in childbearing

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13:59

The New Media: Impact and Evolution

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of new media and its impact on society. They explore how digitalisation and technological convergence have transformed media consumption and production, leading to new forms of interactivity and social participation. The texts also discuss the economic and cultural shifts brought about by new media, including the rise of social networking and the increasing commercialisation of online spaces. Furthermore, they address the ongoing debates surrounding the

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12:39

Media Representations of Gender, Sexuality, and...

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode explores the media's portrayal of femininity, masculinity, sexuality, and disability. They discuss how women are often reduced to their physical appearance and presented as sexual objects, while also highlighting the under-representation and misrepresentation of women in positions of power. The text examines how masculinity is frequently linked to violence and dominance, and how media can influence gender identity. Furthermore, the sources address the stereotypical depiction of gay,

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10:56

Media Representations of Ethnicity, Social Class, and...

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of media representations concerning ethnicity, social class, and age. It begins by introducing the academic debate on how these groups are portrayed, noting that ethnic minorities are often underrepresented or negatively stereotyped, while high-status groups tend to be positively represented. The text then examines specific issues related to minority ethnic groups, such as the portrayal of criminality and the concept of Islamophobia. Furthermore, it

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11:44

Media Influence: Content, Presentation, and Audiences

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

This episode explores the intricate relationship between media, its content, presentation, and audience reception, particularly focusing on the effects of media on behaviour and attitudes. It introduces the 'hypodermic syringe model', a theory suggesting a direct, powerful media effect, alongside criticisms and alternative perspectives like the selective filter model and active audience approaches, which propose audiences actively interpret media. The document also examines sociological and

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28:38

The Social Construction and Influence of News

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/23

Designed as an audio overview for A-Level Sociology students, this episode explores the selection and presentation of news. It contrasts the journalistic view of news as objective with the critical perspective that news is socially constructed by various actors and influences. The overview details how news values, organisational constraints, and media ownership shape content, discussing both traditional and new media's roles, including the rise of citizen journalism and the phenomenon of churnalism

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19:22

Media, Globalisation, and Popular Culture: An Overview

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/22

The provided text explores the multifaceted impact of globalisation on popular culture and the pivotal role of media in this transformation. It examines how increased global interconnectedness, driven by communication advancements and transnational corporations, fosters both the homogenisation of culture, particularly through American influence, and the emergence of cultural hybridity. The discussion highlights the postmodernist view, which often perceives globalisation as beneficial, leading to

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17:30

Media Ownership and Control: Sociological Perspectives

Sociology Podcast ·

2025/07/19

These academic overviews examine the sociological perspectives on media. The first source focuses on media ownership and control, contrasting pluralist views (diverse media, consumer-driven) with Marxist/Neo-Marxist arguments (concentrated ownership, ideological control) and discussing the impact of new media. The second source explores the relationship between media, globalisation, and popular culture, debating whether increased global interconnectedness leads to cultural imperialism

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