Scheme of Work for Theory and Methods
Key Concepts:
Functionalism
Marxism
Positivism
Anti-Positivism
Interactionism
Social Action Theory
Phenomenology
Ethnomethodology
Quantitative
Qualitative
Duration
25 Lessons
Differentiated Learning Objectives:
Students must be able to explain key concepts
from these ideologies.
Students should be able to link theories with
appropriate writers.
Students Could be able to assert strengths and
weaknesses to the theories learned.
Students could Be able to design research for
themselves.
Suggested Lesson/homework Details
and Assessment Focus
Introduction
L 1-2 – Theory and Methods Introduction:
Work taken from Handbook for Sociology
Teachers, Edited by Patrick McNeil (This is
also be found in The National Extension
College Material). Students to look out link
between acidity and growth rates between three
species of plant. The students then look at a
theft in two schools. A case study is then
identified. Students define what theft is. Does
this fit the ‘crime’ committed in this school?
Plenary at end to look at issues that arise.
Key Theories
L3-4 – Functionalism (Structural Consensus
Theory): Influential writers, norms and values
of different groups exercise. The importance of
socialisation, The Shamdev. Strengths and
weaknesses of Functionalism. Group to write
key words to white board. Functionalism
graffiti. Or key words to be written up and put
on display boards in classroom.
Emile Durkheim
L4 – 5 – Marxism: Structural Conflict Theory:
Basic ideas, comparison with functionalism.
Match phrase to concept exercise, strengths and
weaknesses exercise. Mix and match to either
functionalism or Marxism. Key ideas table to
summarise the two concepts. Photos to key
ideas exercise. Get group to look up Marxist
sites on the internet. Etc. Key ideas on white
board on display boards.
Karl Marx
L 6 – 8: Interactionism – Social Action theory,
Symbolic Interactionism and Phenomenology:
How does it differ from structural theories,
Main beliefs, Social action Theory, key
concepts, Symbolic interactionism,
Phenomenology, mix and match to appropriate
theory, strengths and weaknesses exercise.
Methods Used
George Simmel
L 9 –10: Which methods Do I use as a
Sociologist? The difference between primary
secondary, quantitative and qualitative. What is
Positivism, Links to theory? Sampling, the
different types, key words exercise, summary
table,
Primary Data:
L11 –12: Types of Social Survey: Construction
Problems: The types of social survey, mix and
match to appropriate type exercise, pilot studies,
longitudinal studies, construction of surveys,
open ended and closed questions, case studies,
The Covington Questionnaire on Attitudes and
Lifestyles, spot the problems. Mix and match to
Positivism, Interactionism, Phenomenology,
Feminism, and Marxism. Written summary
exercise.
L 13- 14: Interviews: Structured and
unstructured, interview role play exercise,
students to take turns in interviewing a
colleague, plenary exercise on problems, The
Hawthorne effect, examples, Managers and
their Wives case study (Pahl and Pahl).
Interviewing Women case study, (Anne
Oakley). Weaknesses and strengths of surveys.
Summary exercise.
L 15 – 18: Primary Research: Participant
Observation: definition, ease of research for
differing areas, overt research, Street Corner
Society: William Foote Whyte, covert research,
Anne Campbell, Delinquent Girls, and ‘James
Patrick a Glasgow Gang Observed. Strengths
and weaknesses Mix and match to appropriate
piece of research.
Participant Observation/16/5/2000/Covington//Green
2000Theory and Methods Disc and hard disc Drive
L 19 – 21: Participant Observation Studies:
Students to look at the case studies of Goffman,
Asylums, Laud Humphries A Team Room
Trade, Bill Whyte, Street Corner Society,
‘James Patrick’ A Glasgow Gang Observed,
Ken Pryce, Endless Pressure. In each case they
are to look at…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What were the aims of the study?
How long did it take to conduct the observation?
How was the research carried out?
Why was the type of research done in the way it
was?
Why weren’t other methods used?
What were the findings of the research?
What were the advantages of doing the research in
this way?
What were the disadvantages of doing the research in
this way?
A test here is advisable on Participant Observation.
Participation Observation Studies/10/7/98/1997
Theory and Methods Disc/P.Covington
Secondary Data
L 22- 24: Official Statistics: Definitions of
Primary and Secondary data. An introduction to
official statistics, examples, how accurate is
they? The Census, examples of 1981 and 2001.
The CSO and other sources of statistics such as
Trade Unions, Examples of survey mix and
match examples to appropriate survey. Social
Trends. Specific examples of GHS, FES, and
The Labour force Survey. Critical responses to
official statistics, what do Marxists think of
them? Examples looked at. What do Feminists
think of official statistics? Examples looked at.
And finally Phenomenology. Statistics their
uses and abuses exercise, Can you spot the
problems in these cases?
Official statistics/22/5/2000/P.Covington/Green theory and methods
disc 2000
L 25 – 26: Other Secondary Resources: Life
history, the advantages and disadvantages, mix
and match exercise to look at these. The work
of Thomas and Znaniecki. Role-play to recount
a recent event that has occurred to all of you.
Match up the following definition with the
appropriate secondary source. Mix and match
exercise to appropriate piece of research.
Historical data and content analysis. John Scott
and assessing Secondary resources.
Life Histories/8/6/2000/Green 2000 Disc/P.Covington and hard disc drive.
Essay on Participant Observation.
L 27-29: Are the Natural Sciences Scientific?
What is Positivism; can the natural sciences be
objective? What is the scientific method? Is it
objective? Is Sociology a science? Can it be?
The work of Karl Popper that suggests that
science is not objective. Popper and refutation.
Examples using this typology. The case study of
Roger Gomm, The Theory of Evolution. This
proves that science is often the tool of those in
power not of an objective science. The work of
Crown Prince Kropotkin that refutes the idea of
survival of the fittest. Scientific or nonscientific exercise. Link statement to Positivism
or anti-Positivism. Summary table, and key
words mix and match.
Skills Developed
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Resources
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Knowledge of Theories
Knowledge of Theorists
Interpretation and application of theories to
UK
Cultural Difference awareness.
Evaluation skills.
Discussion and group work skills
developed.
Handouts as above
Main text. Investigating the Mass Media,
Paul Trowler, 2nd Edition.
Internet
Video – The History of Auntie, Berslusconi,
Mussolini of the Media.
Digital Camera
Whiteboard
Card for different areas.