Saint Augustine's Priory School
Education for Life
Social Science subjects, Economics, Business Studies, Politics and Sociology, develop critical thinking and clarity of thought. To study in this department you will need to have an interest in:
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the way in which societies organise themselves |
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how and by whom power is exercised |
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and the values and cultures of different societies and/ or organisations. |
Social Science subjects seek to explain the above by providing a theoretical and analytical framework in which answers can be put forward.
All subjects (Economics, Business Studies, Politics & Sociology) are taught in the Sixth Form and are thus available at AS and A2. There are usually three examinations in the Lower VI and three examinations in the Upper VI. In some subjects coursework takes the place of an examination.
Teaching and Learning
Lessons take place in small groups. In class, the emphasis is on getting the students to play an active part in their learning. Students are often involved in discussions and presentations. Students who encounter difficulties are encouraged to see staff outside of the lesson to make the necessary progress.
The library has a range of resources for additional study including a range of textbooks, The Economist and subject journals aimed at A level students. Students are encouraged to read around their subjects, for example by reading quality newspapers.
New York Visit
Each year the Social Sciences Department takes a trip to New York. During our time there we visit the United Nations, the Lower Eastside Tenement Museum, the Federal Reserve and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For recent photographs of our trip click here.
Four courses are offered in the Social Sciences Department, you can click on each subject link below to jump directly to each one, or if you prefer, browse through the whole page.
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Markets - how they work |
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The majority of goods and services in the UK are made by private (profit seeking) firms. This unit examines the benefits of using free markets to allocate every day resources from the humble chocolate bar to a house. |
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Markets - how they fail |
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A sizeable minority of goods and services are provided by the state and paid for out of taxation. These include healthcare, education, defence, the police and judiciary.We examine the economics behind the provision of the public services. Looking at how the government tries to correct the behaviour of private firms to benefit the overall welfare of society. |
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Macroeconomics |
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This unit looks at the economy as a whole. Central to this unit is the study of fiscal policy (government spending and taxation) and monetary policy (the use of interest rates) to control the level of economic activity in the economy. |
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Industrial Economics |
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This takes a look inside business organisations and seeks to explain how they decide what and how much to produce. It is in the interest of consumers that firms are forced to compete with one another to drive down costs and prices and to increase the incentive to innovate new products and services. |
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Development Economics |
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This unit looks at issues surrounding why some countries have managed to develop, whilst others remain stuck with poor infrastructure, widespread poverty and disease. Assessing the role of the free market, as well as reviewing the extent to which governments can help or hinder the development process. Issues such are 'unfair' trade, aid, debt and corruption are also explored. |
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The Global Economy |
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This unit seeks to analyse and explain the globalisation of economic activity in recent decades. Multinationals, the spread of free markets and the consequences for government policy and standards of living in the UK are assessed. The world economic system is also divided into trading blocs such as the EU and the North America Free Trade Agreement. The pros and cons of such blocs are considered alongside the policies and actions of the World Trade Organisation. |
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Students are introduced to basic theory across a range of business functions including:
Key issues explored include business culture, motivation, how the economy impacts upon businesses, starting a small business and the quality movement.
The A2 course builds upon work in the Lower VI. For example students learn how to analyse profit and loss accounts and balance sheets. More sophisticated techniques for business planning including decision trees, critical path analysis and investment appraisal are taught. Students have to develop their understanding of businesses as complex organisations working towards what can often be unclear goals in a fast changing environment.
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Politics plays a key role in many areas of our life. The course aims to provide an awareness of the structures of authority and power in our own and other societies and how different interests are articulated and reconciled.
In the Lower VI students are introduced to a range of concepts including democracy, participation and power. The roles of elections, political parties, pressure groups, parliament and the judiciary are considered.
In the Upper VI students develop their understanding of political ideology. Liberalism, conservatism, socialism, anarchism, fascism and feminism are studied and comparatively assessed. Each ideology is analysed for its perspective on human nature, the state, society and the economy. Tensions within each ideology are explored.
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This course helps Students to gain a critical understanding of the society in which they live. Learning how society shapes people's ideas, social behaviour and cultures and, how in turn, people interact together and shape their societies. At AS, they learn about the individual and society, and about how sociologists study societies and social behaviour.
In the Lower VI students study how individuals learn social expectations and the roles of values and norms in the socialisation process. 'Identity' is explored with respect to gender, nationhood, ethnicity and class.
The family unit is analysed and power relations, social trends, inequalities and social policy assessed. Sociological research skills are also taught in preparation for a personal study that is undertaken in the Upper VI.
In the Upper VI students study education and socialisation and institutional processes such as streaming and labelling. Health is also studied. The social construction of health, mental health, disability, deviance, social control and the sick are assessed. Students also undertake a personal study on a sociological issue of their choosing.
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All of the subjects taught in the department can be studied at university. Social Science subjects are particularly attractive to employers as they require clear critical thinking and the ability to weigh up evidence. Studying these subjects can lead to a wide range of careers in finance, the media and in both the private and public sectors. Generally speaking they provide a sound basis for a wide-range of managerial positions.
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