Sociology is the systematic and scientific study of human social life. Sociologists study people as they form groups and interact with one another. The groups they study may be small, such as married couples, or large, such as a subculture or organisation. Sociologists study large social issues such as Health, Crime and Education.
Sociology is relevant to a wide range of careers including teaching, the police, law, social work, the probation service, personnel management and market research. Clearly, any career which involves working with and understanding people. It helps develop an ability to express an argument clearly and evaluate alternative and competing points of view. A-Level qualifications in Sociology are accepted in applications for Higher Education.
Revision and study skills support sessions are available for all students. You will have the opportunity to attend revision conferences with principle examiners.
5 GCSEs at 9 – 5 including English.
• Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods (compulsory topics) – 80 marks, 2 hour written exam, 33.3% of the total A-Level.
Education with Theory and Research Methods involves studying why some groups of pupils do better at school than others. What is the purpose of education both for society as a whole and for individuals? How does the experience of school vary for different pupils? Research Methods, involves looking at all of the ways Sociologists investigate and study people in society
• Paper 2: Topics in Sociology – Families and Households (option 1) and Beliefs in Society (option 2) – 80 marks, 2 hour written exam, 33.3% of the total A-Level.
Families and Households involves the examination of different aspects of family life. Key issues which are considered include whether husbands and wives are equal today in comparison to the past? How have patterns in marriage, cohabitation and divorce changed over time? What impact does the government have on policies and laws which affect the family? Beliefs in Society involves studying what purpose different belief systems have for individuals, groups and society as a whole.
How has religion led to social change? How do different belief systems lead to conflict? Has religion been replaced by other belief systems or has it been reinvented?
• Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (compulsory unit) 80 marks, 2 hour written exam, 33.3% of A-Level.
Crime and Deviance involves studying who breaks the rules of society and why do they do so? Who is more likely to be labelled as a criminal and how does society react to rule breaking? Sociologists are keen to understand why some acts are labelled as criminal whilst others are not as well as looking how the types of crime committed have changed over time and culture.
The Examination Board for this course is AQA.
A-Level Sociology is a linear course with all exams sat at the end of Year 13. There are no coursework components in the assessment of this course. Prior Knowledge of this subject is not required for you to be successful in Sociology at A-Level.
