Sociology -

What are the entry requirements?

5 GCSEs at A* – C to include English.

Course Outline

AS:

Paper 1: Education with Methods in Context (50% of AS)

Paper 2: Research Methods and Topics in Sociology (50% of AS)

A2:

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods (33.3% of A level)

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology (33.3% of A level)

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (33.3% of A level)

How will I be assessed?

As:

Two written exams both 1 hour 30 minutes

A2:

Three written exams all 2 hours

What will I study?

The course provides the opportunity for you to examine a wide range of sociological issues including inequality, roles and values, power relationships and social change. There is a real emphasis on contemporary issues such as globalisation and how these are influencing both individuals and society as a whole. For example, is social media taking the role of religion in society? Is crime made easier with the introduction of new technologies? Is the role of the family and education changing?

This course looks at a wide range of social issues such as why do middle class children do better at school than working class children, reasons for the rise in divorce rate, what we mean by crime and deviance and does it change over time and from place to place?

You will also learn about sociological theory and research methods. You will learn how to carry out a piece of research and learn about the difficulties sociologists face – both ethical and practical ones! Theory is an important part of sociology and you will develop a firm understanding of the different approaches to studying society and the insights they might provide.

Where can it lead me?

The specification lays an appropriate foundation for further study of Sociology and related subjects in higher education e.g. criminology, forensics, psychiatry, law, education, psychology, teaching and many more. Equally, material studied would be useful for students indenting to pursue a career in the police, health services, social services and human resources / personnel.