China and the One Child Policy

In their unit on the Human World, Y10 Geographers have been exploring issues associated with population growth and decline.

They have been conducting researching into the Chinese population explosion and the ‘One Child Policy’ that the Government introduced in 1979 in an attempt to curb population growth.

To what extent has the policy been successful?

Transnational Corporations

Y13 have been researching into the impacts that Transnational Corporations can have on both host countries and countries of origin.

‘TNCs are not necessarily a negative phenomena’. Peter Dickens.

To what extent do Y13 agree / disagree with this statement?

Greenhouse Effect

Year 12 are looking at the effects of global Warming. This is an image of the Greehouse Effect.

From the work in the lesson explain this diagram.

Antarctica

Year 8 students have been studying the topic Antarctica and learning about why it is such an important place to protect. We would like you to write a response to: Why should Antarctica be protected ?

Challenging ideas of religious organisations.

The year 13 sociologists have been looking at different religious organisations and the roles which they play in contemporary society. This week in particular we have examining definitions of churches, denominations, sects and cults. We have been examining text book material, challenging our own ideas and using sociological evidence to try to clarify definitions.

Using the link below and the information gathered from watching the video on Barker's study called 'The Making of a Moonie', students need to consider the extent to which definitions of sects and cults could be challenged.

http://www.inform.ac/infmain.html

Hitler and Nazi Germany

How important is it that students study Hitler and Nazi Germany? Year 9 are currently investigating Hitler’s rise to power and the Nazi party’s ability to keep control of the German people. Schools all over the country study this crucial part of the 20th century, and numerous films and books cover the topic. Why is this such an important part of our learning in History? Are there any other areas of history that you think are essential learning for students?

Religion and Medical Ethics

The Year 11 Full Course RE group are beginning to consider issues surrounding medical ethics, and different religious and non-religious attitudes towards these issues.

Adriana Iliescu is one of the oldest recorded women to give birth. Aged 66, she gave birth to two twin girls using sperm and eggs from an anonymous donor. She had been having fertility treatment for nine years prior to this without success. She told local news reporters that she had always wanted to be a mother, but had been unable to conceive naturally. One of the girls weighed just 3.19 pounds, less than half the weight of an average newborn. The other baby was stillborn.

We would like you to write a response to the following:

‘The story of Adriana Iliescu is just one example of why fertility treatments are a bad idea.’

In your response you should consider more than one point of view, and use other examples from the lesson.

Matters of Life and Death

Y10 are beginning to consider whether not there is life after death. We would you to give your conclusion to the evaluation question below (considering the arguments you have considered in lesson!.

'When you are dead you are dead' Do you agree with this statement?

Australia - the Movie

Year 11 SHP History students will find plenty of parallels to their work on the American West in the new film ‘Australia’. The story sees Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman’s characters drive 2,000 cattle across hundreds of miles, and so can help us visualise what the American cowboys experienced on the ‘long drives’ north from Texas. There’s a gripping scene of a stampede too! On a more serious note, the story also involves a mixed race aboriginal child, who, under Australian law is taken away from his family to be brought up by church missionaries. How similar is this to the way in which Native Americans were treated by the US government in the late 19th century? Are there any other films which have brought to life an aspect of your learning in History?

AS History- Reflect on Your Learning

As the presidency of the first black President of the United States to take office starts its third year has public attention turned away from race to politics? We have just completed our investigation into the phenomenon of the American Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. Think for a moment and share your thoughts. What connections have you made from this study? What has it made you think about history, politics or people?

How can sociology be applied to events of national interest such as Royal weddings and funerals?

Civil Religion - a set of secular beliefs and rituals contributing to the way of life of a nation, which are seen as sacred or special. Children are socialised into them and the way of life of a nation is often organised around them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X56XLpnS4wA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86MQSbZo28Y

Using the idea of civil religion (and other concepts/theories) watch these two clips and consider whether Royal weddings and funerals can be interpreted sociologically.