Sociology

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the study of society, human social behaviour and its origins, development, organisations, and institutions. A goal for many sociologists is to conduct research which may be applied directly to social policy and welfare to address a problem within society, for example poverty. 

Studying Sociology will allow you to develop an understanding of how the world in which we live can influence our experiences of it. This course encourages you to question society and the world around you providing you with the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills and a level of understanding of central aspects of sociological thought and methods. You will investigate various aspects of our social world in an attempt to look beyond common sense perceptions and uncover the ‘true’ nature of our society and the reasons why it is the way it is.

What does the course lead to?

Sociology acts as a good foundation for further study in the social sciences or related subjects, such as history, law, business, politics, psychology or criminology.

Typically, people with a sociology qualifications gain employment in careers that involve working with people. These could include: community worker, housing officer, journalist, personnel manager, prison officer, probation officer and social worker to name but a few.

What will I learn?

We complete the AQA A Level in Sociology studying the following topics:

Year 12 

Examined in the summer of Year 12 - 2 x 1.30 exams

 Year 13

Examined in the summer of Year 13 - 3 x 2 hour exams
Education 

  • What is the role and function of the education system?
  • Why does the educational achievement change depending on the social class, gender and ethnicity of a person?
  • What are the relationships and processes within schools, with particular reference to teacher/pupil relationships, pupil identities and subcultures, the hidden curriculum, and the organisation of teaching and learning and how do they affect achievement?
  • How does the government affect education through educational policies?

Culture and Identity

  • What are the different conceptions of culture? 
  • What is the socialisation process and the role of the agencies of socialisation?
  • Is your sense of self and your identity both socially caused and socially constructed?
  • What is the relationship of identity to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexuality and social class in contemporary society?
  • What is the relationship of identity to production, consumption and globalisation?
 Crime and Deviance

  • What is crime, deviance, social order and social control?
  • Is the social distribution of crime and deviance by ethnicity, gender and social class equal?
  • What is the relation between globalisation and crime in contemporary society?
  • How do we control crime? 
  • How do we prevent crime?
  • What is the role of the criminal justice system and other agencies?

Beliefs in Society

  • What is the relationship between social change and social stability, and religious beliefs, practices and organisations?
  • What are the different religious organisations and what is their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice?
  • What is the relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs and practices?
  • What is the significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world?

 

What Grades do I need?

If you have studied sociology at GCSE, you must have a minimum of a grade 6. If not, you must have achieved a grade 5 in English. 

KS4 Sociology Curriculum Map

KS5 Sociology Curriculum Map