Sociology


Exam Board

Additional Entry Requirements

5 in Mathematics required
6 in English Language required
6 in Sociology (if taken at GCSE)
6 in an essay writing subject required if Sociology not taken at GCSE (e.g. Eng. Literature, History or Geography)

Course Content

Why sociology?
 
A level sociology gives you the opportunity to question everything about society, to view it from a completely different perspective and develop your academic understanding of key issues relating to class, gender, ethnicity, inequality and power.
 
You’ll develop skills such as essay writing, analysis, evaluation, critical thinking, teamwork and independent research. These skills are good preparation for university courses and complement many other humanities and social science subjects, particularly history, geography, English, philosophy, politics and psychology. Students progress to Russell Group and Oxbridge universities. They read for social science/humanities degrees including economics, law, psychology, politics, sociology and international relations. A sociology degree can be used for careers in the civil service, advertising, journalism, business, working for non-government organisations and think-tanks, law and policing.
 
Trips include the Sociology in Action conference, and previous excursions include visiting the BBC, the Museum of Childhood and taking part in youth conferences.
 
Course content
 
You will study a wide range of topics to develop your understanding of different areas of society, such as families, education, crime and social inequality.
 
You will study why people commit crime, gender differences in crime, how childhood has changed over time, equality in families and how the education system has changed. You will also learn how to carry out research and the theories that sociologists use to understand society.
 
 
Mark scheme
 
Exam - 2 hours - 33.3%
Two essays and four short answer questions
 
  • Education with theory and methods - 80 marks
 
Exam - 2 hours - 33.3%
Two essays and four short answer questions
 
Topics in sociology - 80 marks
  • Families and households
  • The media
 
Exam - 2 hours - 33.3%
Two essays and four short answer questions
 
Crime and deviance with theory and methods - 80 marks
 
 
LILIYA
The Archer Academy
 
“Sociology is great as it provides a completely new perspective of society which really changes the way you view the world. In class, I enjoy the freedom that allows us to challenge the theorists and even develop their ideas to relate to contemporary society. I also enjoy how we are encouraged to debate, as the lessons have a varied structure instead of solely listening and taking notes.
 
Sociology A level sets me up perfectly to go on and study Sociology and Social Policy. Whilst I don't know exactly what I want to do, I would love to work in a job that allows me to be surrounded by people and studying sociology at Uni. will give me a range of skills whilst also keeping my options open.
 
The freedom we get at Woodhouse is the perfect balance of secondary school and university life allowing us to mature as individuals. The teachers are extremely motivated and care a lot about how well we do. On the other side of it, Woodhouse has an amazing range of societies and sports activities on offer that allow you to take a break from working.”
 


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