FYA002-0 Portfolio: Exploring Individuals, Society and Perspectives

This student assignment is a portfolio for the unit FYA002-0, "Understanding Individuals and Society." The assignment requires students to explore various sociological perspectives and apply them to contemporary societal issues. The portfolio is structured around weekly tasks, focusing on topics such as terrorism, mental health, and gender. Students are expected to analyze newspaper articles, identify key sociological perspectives like conflict theory and functionalism, and explain how these perspectives illuminate the chosen topics. The assignment includes tasks like identifying the key thinkers associated with each perspective, comparing and contrasting different viewpoints, and providing real-world examples to illustrate the concepts. This portfolio serves as a comprehensive assessment, requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of sociological theories and their ability to analyze complex social phenomena. The assignment also guides students through the process of research, note-taking, and essay writing, culminating in a final portfolio submission and an in-class test.

FYA002-0 Understanding Individuals and Society
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Teaching schedule for Understanding Individuals and Society FYA002-0
TEACHING WEEK LECTURE
1 Introduction to the unit: psychology and society
2 Mass media in society
3 Technology, social media and human relationships
4 Terrorism
5 Mental health and contemporary society
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Gender
The handing out of the assessment workbooks.
7 The role of religion and science in society
8 Psychological perspectives on criminal behaviour
9 The changing nature of families and childhood in society
10 The physical health of the nation
11 Effects of globalisation and multiculturalism
Easter break – 6th – 17 April 2020
W/B 20th April 20 Individual/guided study week - no lectures/workshops
12 Assignment/portfolio will be submitted today portfolios
must be submitted by 10 am.
13 Social and psychological issues of identity
14 Revision Lecture
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Introduction
Welcome to the student Assignment workbook which will guide you through the assignment
requirements for this unit. Having engaged in the unit thus far this is your one and final
assignment for the unit. You are expected to independently gather enough information so
that you are able to answer the set questions for each week. The portfolio itself will
account for
100% of the graded marks for the unit. The teaching team for the Understanding Individuals
and Society have produced this workbook as a practical aid for you as students on this unit
in readiness for submission of your portfolio. On completion of the tasks within this booklet
you will be required to submit the booklet
The portfolio ideally builds upon the learning that you have undertaken throughout
semester
1 and contributes towards your progression onto Level 4. The portfolio is an opportunity for
you to demonstrate your knowledge of the models, theories and debates within the taught
lessons and within the field of Social Sciences. It is important that you read this workbook
carefully so that you are clear about the assignment expectations. Within this workbook you
will find a number of hyperlinks which will lead you to short video clips, these are intended to
help you understand specific topics better and therefore to assist you in completing the
portfolio to a higher standard. These video clips are there to help you they will not provide
you with the complete answers therefore you will need to research a little more using the
points raised in the video clips as a guide.
Aims of the module
1 Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding
• Understand sociological perspectives in relation to human behaviour
2 Demonstrate the following skills and abilities
• Can demonstrate how, where and when to use different information concerning
human behaviour
Session Structure and Learning Methods
The module will run over 12 weeks – please note that the submission of this portfolio has
been set for 24 February 2020.
Some lectures will be specifically included to provide guidance concerning depth and sc
ope of material to be studied during each of the lectures. You are recommended to extend
your learning by consulting relevant subject-specific textbooks and other resources to
extend your knowledge and understanding further.
Self-Study & Follow-up Work
You are strongly advised to use self-study time to fully meet the intended learning outcomes
of the module by working through the information given during lectures and tutorials. The
aim is to enable you to apply your knowledge and understanding of the subject material
learnt in this academic Unit in a concise and understandable way. It is important to clearly
demonstrate you learning when answering the questions set for you each week.

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Preparation for your portfolio submission
An electronic copy of the portfolio must be submitted through BREO. No hard copies are
to be submitted.
Portfolios will be marked by the Unit Co-coordinator and a second marker and the
recommended grade agreed. It is the university policy that you should be able to receive
feedback on your work within 15 days of submission. Feedback on your portfolio will be
available on BREO.
Ensure that your portfolio is submitted with a cover sheet which identifies you via your
student
ID number, Unit name and code.
Please ensure that you keep, in a safe place the electronic receipt which will be given to you
once you have submitted the portfolio. This acts of proof of submission should there be any
queries about the time of submission or whether in fact you have submitted.
1. Make sure that you have proof read your work BEFORE it is submitted.
2. Have you read the questions carefully?
3. Does your work contain full sentences? Do the sentences begin with a capital letter
and end with a full stop?
4. Have you inserted references?
5. Have you referenced correctly? Are the references in alphabetical order by family
name in your reference list?
6. Does you work have a clear introduction, middle and ending?
Completing your
What am I required to do in this assignment?
This assignment asks you to complete weekly tasks in order to build a portfolio of your
knowledge and understanding of sociological perspectives and relate this knowledge to
every day experiences.
In order to complete this assignment you will need to follow the steps outlined
below:
Step 1: Ensure that you complete the weekly tasks set in your workbook which will be
provided by your tutor.
Step 2: Follow all instructions in the workbook for each weekly task. For example, Week 6
task will be to explain the similarities between 2 sociological perspectives, Week 7 will then
ask you to investigate and describe the differences between 2 sociological per spectives
on human behaviour.
Step 3: In order to address these tasks you will need to identify, locate and conduct some
reading of a variety of different texts -guidance will be given on good academic texts to read.
Step 4: You will need to make some notes in your own words based on your reading and
your understanding of different sociological perspectives and how they explain human
behaviour

Step 5: You will then be asked to answer a short essay question which will be written
under timed conditions in your classroom. You will be allowed to take your
portfolio into the classroom with you.
Step 6: You will submit your completed portfolio
of work
How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled
sessions?
Through building the portfolio (assignment) you are week by week developing and
embedding knowledge of the key sociological theories and how to apply it to
everyday issues within a society. This assessment is specifically related to
developing key academic skills; writing, searching for and selecting appropriate
academic literature, reading that literature and paraphrasing its content,
referencing, developing notes, following instructions and using IT. By completing the
in class test you are showing that you can take what you have learned in the lecture
room and in a timed setting develop an answer to a set question. For further
information relating to the portfolio can be found on the BREO shell for this unit.
Prepare answers for the following sets of
questions.
Week 4
Question 1.
Subject:
Terrorism
Date: W/B 24th February 2020
1. Identify a recent newspaper article which discusses the issue of terrorism.
You will also need to clearly state the name of the newspaper and the
author(s) of the article.
Vikram Dodd and Jamie Grierson. 2019. Fastest-growing UK terrorist
threat is from far right, say police [Online] Available Through:<
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/sep/19/fastest-growing-
uk-terrorist-threat-is-from-far-right-say-police >.
This article was Published in The Guardian newspaper which is a famous British daily
newspaper. This article was written by the Vikram Dodd and Jamie Grierson emphasizing in the
view point of police of UK on the issue of Terrorism. It has been evaluated by current article
that issue of terrorism is basically linked with the far-right violence which is continuously
increasing and creating many security threats for citizens.
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2. Identify the sociological perspective being used to discuss the issue of
terrorism.
The sociological perspective being used to discuss the issue of terrorism is based on Conflict
Perspective which mainly focuses on the competition between groups within a society over the
utilisation of limited resources. This social perceptive based on the conflict theory is taken as
true threat which perceived issue of terrorism by leading religious-extremist and ethnic conflicts
generated by the presence of inequality and dominance of ruling class in the society.
3. In which way does this perspective explain terrorism?
The conflict theory of sociological perspective explain terrorism as a result of competition
between various group of society where some people feel discriminated or dominated by the
ruling class. This, feeling of inequality and competition among groups of society leads to creation
of war and unlawful violence for meeting needs and demands. Thus, the conflict perspective
explain terrorism as an act of violence that aim at spreading fear in population to advance and
created by political, ideological or religious cause and inequality in the society.
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Week 5
Question 2.
Subject: Mental Health and Contemporary Society
Date: W/B 2nd March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO0v_JqxFmQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0zJGDokyWQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRN8oeMNaDc
1. Identify a sociological perspective on mental health.
The sociological perspective on mental health is based Functionalism sociological perspective on
analysis of impact if external factors on mental illness of an individual lead out by the
environmental or social context. Under sociological perspective the mental illness is taken out as
mental a breakdown of an individual due to overwhelming environmental stress as it has been
indentified that the modern world is causing a high background level of anxiety and widespread
low-level depression in individuals.
2. Who is the key thinker of your chosen perspective?
Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons are taken as the key thinker of Functionalism sociological
perspective which is associated with the study of relationship exists between the various parts of
society and how the functional aspects of society created impact and influence the mental health
and adaptability of an individual.
3. What are the two (2) key points used to explain mental health?
Mental health basically includes the emotional, psychological, and social well-being of an
individuals that is affected by the overall external environment and social context in which someone
lives. The two main key points of mental health consists of mental wellbeing (positive mental
health) along with the mental health problems which are discussed and evaluated by the
Functionalism sociological perspective through leading and setting out a relationship exists
between various functional aspects of external environment and metal health of an individual.
4. What are the disadvantages of these perspectives?
The main disadvantages associated with the perspective of mental health as an impact of modern
world and external environment which is causing a high background level of anxiety and
widespread low-level depression in individuals is mainly associated with the Unhappiness and
decreased enjoyment of life. It has been find out the drawback of Functionalism sociological
perspective comprises of enhanced chances of conflicts and Relationship difficulties lead out by
the high level of anxiety and stress created by the Social isolation in the modern world.

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Week 6
Question 3.
Subject: Gender
Date: W/B 9th March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QthMrCqspww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbdcmKC1d2M
1. Which sociological perspectives explain the issue of gender?
The structural functionalist perspective explain the issues of gender which makes emphasis and
lead a clear view point over the gender inequalities which applies in all divisions of society. The
structural functionalist perspective basically looks into the impact lead by gender of an individual
in determining their interest, basis opportunities, social roles and ways of interactions in society
for men and women. Further, the conflict theory of sociological perspectives also explain the issue
of gender which argues that the issue of gender is best understood as the men are attempting to
maintain the power while privilege to the detriment of women.

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2. Give one example where women are oppressed by their gender.
Women are commonly oppressed by their gender at their workplace as it is commonly seen that
females are not having same growth opportunity and access to career-making roles as compared
with the men. Further, Non-Inclusive Workplace where Women are often feeling dismissed or ignored
is also a viable example where women are oppressed by their gender.
3. What are the similarities between the two (2) sociological perspectives you
have identified?
The similarities among the Functionalism sociological perspective and Conflict theory of sociological
perspective is based on the evidence that both theories are believing on the fact that society is
leading and performing some basic and functional role in Human life. The Functionalism sociological
perspective is mainly emphasising on the importance of social institutions for social stability and
implies that far-reaching social change will be socially harmful. In a similar way the Conflict theory of
sociological perspective is also based on the concept of social inequality and suggests that far-
reaching social change is needed to achieve a just society.
Week 7
Question 4.

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Subject: The role of religion and science in society
Date: W/B 16th March 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgpR1hj4_9o
1. Which two (2) sociological perspectives are critical of the role of religion in society?
The functional and conflict theories of sociological perspective provides a critical look at the macro
aspects of religion and society which is determining and emphasising on the role of religion in society
these two sociological perspective aim at examining the role that is played by the religion on routine
lives of individuals and also determine the ways in which people interpret religious experiences.
2. What are the differences between the sociological perspectives identified?
A difference exists between the functional and conflict theories of sociological perspective based on
the role of religion in society as the functionalism sociological perspective mainly based on the fact
that Religion serves several functions for society through giving purpose and meaning to life and
reinforce the social stability and unity. On the contrary, the Conflict theory of sociological
perspective emphasis on the piece of evidence that religion reinforces and has promoted social
conflicts and inequality along with hostility and violence which is motivated by the religious
differences.

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3. Discuss the different definitions of religion and the weaknesses of the definitions.
Many scholars has defined religion as a human recognition of some superhuman who is controlling
all power and especially of a personal God. The weakness of this definition is that it is providing a
very narrow perspective about the religion. The another definition of religion comprises of a unified
system of one’s belief and practises which are related to the relatively scared things along with
prcatises which unite individuals into a single morale community. The weakness of this theory and
definition of religion comprises of the fact that it put and reflected a quite wide scenario of religion.
4. Give an example of the way in which religions influences human behavior.
The example of the way in which religions influences human behaviour comprises of cause of
morality that is lead by religion through leading higher self-reports and decline in prosocial
behaviour across the religiosity spectrum. Further, it has been also seen that religious practice
plays a vital role and influence on human behaviour by increase physical and mental health,
longevity, and education attainment and leads to reduction in domestic abuse and crime through
spiritual and moral Enlightenment.
Week 8
Question 5.
Subject: Sociological perspectives on criminal behaviour

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Date: W/B 23rd March 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=AmMZnvI0JjA
1. In what way is Charles Murray’s explanation of crime similar to Emile Durkheim’s
explanation?
The Charles Murray’s explanation of crime is based on the argument that most crime is committed by
the underclass (unemployed). Further, it has been evaluated that the recent upsurge in lone-parent
families has led to poor socialisation and encouraged these people to be welfare dependant which is
simmer to the explanation of Emile Durkheim’s as it clearly emphasis on the individual act and
towards the social factors which leads to cause of suicide that is mainly associated and related with
the feeling of discrimination and increased during times of economic depression and prosperity.
2. In which ways are these two (2) perspectives different?
The two perspective provided by the Charles Murray’s and Emile Durkheim’s are different as
Charles Murray’s explanation clearly emphasis on the fact the crime is related with the biology and
poor socialisation which enforce people to make rational choice to commit crime. On contrary the
view point of Emile Durkheim’s explanation that the suicide and other violent activities are result of
the extent to which people are integrated and regulated into a group along with emphasising in the
integration as the extent to which a person is bound by a society by norms and values to control
cases of crime and suicide.
Food for thought.
Over the past five weeks you should have been in the process of answering a series of
questions which will come together to form your portfolio. The portfolio is the only
assignment that you will have to submit for this unit, therefore we would like to encourage
you to reflect upon your work in this portfolio before you submit it on the deadline date.
To help you with this please read and think about the following questions.
How well did your work meet the stated assessment criteria?
The work done by me during these weeks are up to stated assessment criteria as relevant
information about the topic is analysed and gathered by me along with taking proper analysis of
provided video.