A Level Sociology

Why study Sociology?

Sociology is the study of people in society. Sociology looks at how our identities and behaviour are shaped by society and by social groups such as our families, friends, schools and mass media. Sociology also tries to explain how and why society is changing, for example why divorce is much more common today than 40 years ago or why girls have overtaken boys in their performance in exams and entry to universities in the last 20 years. Studying sociology will give you a better understanding of the society you live in and the social influences shaping your life. Sociology encourages you to look at the social world in a critical way and to answer questions about the society based on evidence rather than just opinions.

What will I study?

The Sociology A-Level covers 4 different topics:

1. Education with Research Methods

The role and functions of the education system, including its relationship to the economy and to class structure

Differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity in contemporary society

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

The significance of educational policies, including policies of selection, marketisation and privatisation and policies to achieve greater equality of opportunity or outcome, for an understanding of the structure, role, impact and experience of and access to education; the impact of globalisation on educational policy.

2. Families and Households

The relationship of the family to the social structure and social change, with particular reference to the economy and to state policies

Changing patterns of marriage, cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the life course, including the sociology of personal life, and the diversity of contemporary family and household structures

Gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships within the family in contemporary society

The nature of childhood and changes in the status of children in the family and society

Demographic trends in the United Kingdom since 1900: birth rates, death rates, family size, life expectancy, ageing population and migration and globalisation.

3. Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

Crime, deviance, social order and social control

The social distribution of crime and deviance by ethnicity, gender and social class, including recent patterns and trends in crime

Globalisation and crime in contemporary society; the media and crime; green crime; human rights and state crimes

Crime control, surveillance, prevention and punishment, victims and the role of the criminal justice system and other agencies

4. Beliefs in Society

Ideology, science and religion, including both Christian and non-Christian religious traditions

The relationship between social change and social stability, and religious beliefs, practices and organisations

Religious organisations, including cults, sects, denominations, churches and New Age movements and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice

The relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs and practices

The significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world, including the nature and extent of secularisation in a global context, and globalisation and the spread of religions.

Minimum Entry Requirements:

5 x 4s

4 in English and Maths

Subject Specific Entry Requirements:

6 in English Language or English Literature or 6 in a humanities subject.

* Please note that Level 2 vocational courses are the equivalent of 1 GCSE and only 1 will be counted towards the A-Level pathway entry requirements

What can I do with Sociology after sixth form?

As a sound Humanities A-level course, sociology could lead on to further study in a range of subjects and be useful in a variety of careers. Many students could follow the course with a degree in Philosophy, sociology or Psychology, but there is always a huge diversity here. Students find the skills and knowledge gained from sociology useful in areas such as medicine, law, human resources, and journalism.