Sociology

Sociology is the academic study of how society is organised and how we experience life. It involves analysing society using a theoretical framework. This A Level is linear, which means that students will sit all of their exams at the end of the 2 year course.

Sociology is an exciting and lively subject. It is a useful subject to study because it enables you to understand the society in which you live. It also encourages you to question the ways society is organised, and to realise that things are not always what they seem. If you become a Sociology student you will not be provided with quick answers—you will discover is how to think about societal issues for yourself: what are the questions behind the questions?

The skills you will gain from studying Sociology include the ability to think critically and reflectively about contemporary social issues, to appreciate two sides of an argument and come to a reasoned conclusion, and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. You will learn how to find information, extract what is important from it and turn it into an argument. You will be taught research methods. From these you will learn how to generate new knowledge and information using a variety of tools from the census interpreted through statistics, to in-depth interviews. You will learn to conduct research both with others and independently.

A Level Sociology offers a diverse learning experience including debate, ICT, group work and independent research, delivered with an enthusiastic drive. This variety will encourage the development of a valuable range of skills which will stand you in good stead in later life as well as on the course.

Sociology provides a valuable preparation for university and any job involving working with people. Typical careers for Sociology students include: Journalism, Human Resource Management, Business, Criminology, the Law, Teaching, the Media, Social Work and Nursing.

Assessment

You will be assessed at the end of the course through three 2 hour written examinations, all of which include extended periods of writing. Two out of the three papers are synoptic, so you will be assessed on a range of skills and themes that run throughout the course. A significant element of the course will focus on core literacy skills, exam preparation and assessment.

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods—2 hour written exam—33.3% of A Level—Questions:

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology—2 hour written exam—33.3% of A Level—Questions:

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods—2 hour written exam—33.3% of A Level—Questions: