GCSE Sociology (Eduqas / WJEC) - Stratification and Differentiation: Functionalism and New Right

A 13 slide PowerPoint presentation, focusing on Functionalist and New Right views of social stratification and differentiation. The lesson pack also includes a student ‘fill in the blanks’ activity sheet.

The lesson covers an accessible look at functionalist and New Right views of stratification and differentiation. It covers key themes, sociologists, theories and applications of these to contemporary society. The lesson has been designed to follow on from the Introductory lesson (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-sociology-eduqas-wjec-stratification-and-differentiation-introductory-lesson-12096817) in a ‘lead from the front’ lesson format, aided by several tasks. It should take approx. 90 mins to deliver. It includes:

• A recap quiz on the introductory lesson to stratification and differentiation (with answers)
• An overview of the functionalist view of stratification and its key themes such as meritocracy and the function or poverty as a motivating factor for work
• A thought-provoking activity around ‘does money = status and privilege?’ that builds on understanding of the functionalist view
• A chance for students to see the top 10 and bottom 10 paying jobs in UK society, and to apply their knowledge of whether these are ‘fair’
• An in-depth look at Davis & Moore’s ‘role allocation’ theory and how it underpins functionalist thinking on stratification
• A provocative look at whether society is fair, providing students the opportunity to criticise the functionalist approach
• An overview of the New Right view of stratification, with a focus on the work of Saunders (1990) around unequal rewards
  *** A ‘fill in the blanks’ activity (pdf document)** that summarises learning from the lesson (complete with answers)
• A range of questions that students are asked to consider (and write answers to!) from a functionalist perspective
• A bell task to stretch and challenge students to make links between global politics, functionalism, new right and stratification
• Animated to ‘build’ information to students gradually
• Brief instructions for the teacher and timing guidance are included in the notes to the document.

The resource is designed to be delivered to students studying the new WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Sociology specification. The resource assumes students been introduced to stratification and differentiation for one lesson (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/gcse-sociology-eduqas-wjec-stratification-and-differentiation-introductory-lesson-12096817), but can easily be adapted.