Board: AQA
Syllabus: AS Level (1191), A Level (2191)
About the subject
Sociology is the scientific study of society.
Students will acquire a critical awareness of British Society and the forces that shape it. For example, AS students will look at the Family and its relation to society, looking at issues such as: how the family has changed over time, what effect has Industrialisation and Urbanisation had on the family and what is childhood and how has it developed and changed. AS students also examine Education and Research Methods. How does Education work in our society, who wins and who loses? How has the education system changed over time? Alongside the topic of Education, students will also look into how sociologists do research to back up/create theories. Both of these exams will be examined in the summer.
A2 students will study the sociology of Crime and Deviance linked to Theory and Methods. The causes of crime are also studied as well as examining social policy on crime - exploring what we can do about crime. They will also do further work exploring the difficulties in finding the truth, the impact of values on social research and post-modern developments in discussions of what constitutes knowledge (this exam will take place in January). The final topic to be studied in Sociology is Beliefs in Society, which will look at nature and the structure of religion, the role and impact that religion has had on society and whether that impact is in decline (this exam will be taken in the summer). These are just some examples of the topics covered.
Learning styles
Studying Sociology involves reading and discussing research evidence, ideas and theories about society. Books, magazines, articles, videos as well as the internet may provide the source material.
Students may be expected to participate in debate, do presentations, say what they think, as well as write essays, make notes etc.
Subject Combinations and Progression
The subject matter of Sociology has links with Psychology, Geography, Media Studies, Film Studies, English, History, Politics, Law, Citizenship and General Studies.
In terms of subject combinations it combines well with most subjects and provides a useful insight into aspects of society. Students who study Sociology go on to study an enormous range of subjects including the vast range of Social Science based courses.
Subject Modules and Assessment
AS
Module 1: Family and Households: 1 hrs Data Response exam. 40% of the marks at AS Level, 20% of the marks at A2 Level. (Summer exam)
Module: 2 Education and Research Methods: 2hrs Data Response exam. 60% of the marks at AS Level, 30% of the marks at A2 Level. (Summer exam)
A2
Module 3: The Sociology of Beliefs in Society: 1.5hrs Data Response and essay exam. 20% of the marks at A2 Level. (January Exam)
Module 4: Crime and Deviance and Theory and Methods: 2 hours Data Response exam. 30% of the marks at A2 Level. (Summer exam)
Entry requirements
None