Course
Sociology
Exam Board
AQA
For more information contact Head of Department:
Mrs K Winwood - kwinwood@stedmunds.org
Brief introduction to subject:
This award is designed to allow student to acquire the essential knowledge and understanding of central aspects of sociological thought and methods, together with the application of a range of skills. Students will also develop an understanding of the integration of sociological themes, such as socialisation, culture and identity and social differentiation, power and stratification.
Sociology allows students to explore facts and opinions from a variety of sociological perspectives including functionalism, marxism, liberalism and feminism to name just four, whilst also being encouraged to think about the various issues from their own point of view.
Key Points:
The AQA specification will encourage students to:
- acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of contemporary social processes and social changes
- appreciate the significance of theoretical and conceptual issues in sociological debate
- understand and evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods through active involvement through the research project
- develop skills that enable individuals to focus on their personal identity, roles and responsibilities within society
- develop a lifelong interest in social issues
- foster the development of critical and reflective thinking with a respect for social diversity
- develop an awareness of the importance of social structure and social action in explaining social issues
Course Requirements
English - Grade 5
There is NO requirement to have studied GCSE Sociology, however if you have studied it at GCSE you would need to have achieved a Grade 6 in order to complete the A Level course.
Paper 1
Education: · Class differences in achievement · Ethnic differences in achievement · Gender differences in achievement · The role of education in society · Educational policy and inequality
Research methods: · Research Design · Research Planning · Practical, Ethical and Theoretical Issues · Experiments · Questionnaires · Interviews · Participant Observation · Secondary Sources · Research Methods in Context – linking research methods to the study of education
Paper 2
Families and Households: · Couples · Childhood · Perspectives on the family · Demography · Changing Family Patterns · Family Diversity · Social Policy on the Family
The Media: · Ownership and control of the media · Selection and presentation of the news · Media, globalisation and popular culture · The new media · Media representations of gender, sexuality & age · Media representations of ethnicity, disability and social class · The effect of media on its audiences
Paper 3
Crime and Deviance: · Functionalist, strain and subcultural theories · Interactionism and labelling theory · Class, power and crime · Realist theories of crime · Gender, crime and justice · Ethnicity, crime and justice · Crime and the media · Globalisation, green crime, human rights and state crime · Control, punishment and victims
Theory and Methods: · Research Methods – quantitative & qualitative · Sociology and science · Objectivity and values in sociology · Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism · Action Theories · Globalisation, modernity and postmodernity · Sociology and social policy
Although it is not essential for entry onto a Sociology degree course, the knowledge and skills that will be developed on this diverse and engaging course would ensure a smooth progression onto any Social Science based courses at university, such as Social Work, Social policy or Sociology. Sociology is a broad subject that would be relevant in many careers including Education, Social Work, Midwifery, Nursing and Journalism.
