This unit explores the individual in society and asks what influences behaviour and where values and opinions come from. It explores issues as diverse as social and genetic factors, the media, the arts and electoral systems.
Students are asked to consider such issues as 'nature versus nurture' and social change to draw conclusions about the individual and their responsibilities within society.
The unit also examines the role of the media in
influencing public opinion, exploring censorship and bias, then
looking at how readers influence the media and society by using
such things as 'blogs'. How the arts have changed over time and
whether this has reflected or challenged society as a whole, will
also be addressed in this unit.
Part A - Is it Nature or Nurture that Best Explains Human
Behaviour?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 genetic factors influencing behaviour and life chances.
2 social factors influencing behaviour and life chances.
3 how attitudes and behaviour have changed within and differed between societies in the past 50 years - travel, new communication technologies, human rights, equality and inclusion.
Part B - Where do our Values and Opinions Come From?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 society as culture; cultural values and where they come from; how widely they are followed; how and why they change.
2 impact of socialisation on identities and self-images - roles of parents, schools, peer groups, leisure, employment and unemployment.
3 life in UK - employment,
unemployment and the economy, mono and multiculturalism,
anti-discrimination and freedom of information legislation.
Part C - Mass Media: Representation or Reality?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 local, national and global forms of media regulation - forms, desirability and effectiveness; the power, extent and forms of media bias or exaggeration; 'moral panics' and 'folk devils', 'messages' from soap operas
2 impact of censorship and other constraints, eg libel, slander, antidiscrimination and anti-pornography laws; individuals' right to privacy, news blackouts
3 how readers, viewers and bloggers can influence media and society; opportunities for viewer and reader participation; how should free societies pay for their media?
Part D - Do the Arts Challenge or Reflect Society?
Students will gain an understanding of:
1 the development of style in art, film, music, literature or drama; how and why styles change.
2 definition, forms and key characteristics of individual creativity and innovation in art, architecture, music, literature or drama.
3 ways in which artistic works
over time have reflected or challenged society at large.
