Sociology AS/A Level

Awarding Body

AQA

Who is the course for?

Students interested in understanding the relationship of the individual and society and whether or not our behaviours are determined by social structures or whether we have free will to behave as we please.

What can it lead to?

A variety of higher studies and careers including social work, politics, law, teaching, criminology, public service and the prison service.

What are the entry requirements? - A minimum C grade in English is vital to success in this course.  Applicants will also benefit from a successful record in humanities subjects.

What are the entry requirements?

6 A*-C grades including English and Maths.  Applicants will also benefit from a successful record in humanities subjects.

What will I Study?

In the first year of the course you will start by studying the sociology of ‘Families and Households' and then move onto the study of ‘Education'.  As part of this module you will learn more about the ‘Methods' of sociological enquiry and investigation, applying these to the context of education.  In the final year of the course you will study ‘Beliefs in Society', which focuses on the impact and

importance of religion in the contemporary world, and then complete the course with the study of ‘Crime and Deviance'.  In this module you will develop your understanding of sociological ‘Theory and Methods', applying them to the study crime and deviance.

How will I be taught?

Sociology is a subject rooted in active learning and investigation.  The teaching methods used will reflect this and students will be expected to show curiosity, organisation, self-reliance and independence throughout the course.  Students learn sociological theory from day one in order to see the bigger picture in which our social structures operate.

How will I be assessed?

All four modules are assessed by external examination.  In each year of the course students will sit one examination in January and one in June.

What equipment or materials will I need?

No subject specific equipment is needed.  The school will provide a core text for home learning, and our library holds a growing range of supporting texts which can be borrowed.