Sociology (KS5)

In Sociology students develop a wide range of knowledge and understanding about society, and how sociologists study and understand its structures, processes and issues. Sociology is exciting, interesting and relevant to students’ lives. Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions.

Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The purpose of Sociology is to understand how human actions both shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures.

Over the course of two years, students learn a variety of different sociological theories, which then form the foundation for the study of Families, Education, Beliefs in Society and Crime & Deviance. Students develop a clear understanding of the role of research in investigating society. Knowledge of different research methods such as interviews, questionnaires, statistics and observation is essential for the sociologist to master and this is supported by using examples of sociological research from within the field of the wider social sciences

A Level Sociology | AQA (7191/2)

Over the course of two years, students learn a variety of different sociological theories, which then form the foundation for the study of Families, Education, Mass Media and Crime & Deviance.

Skills such as application of knowledge to contemporary examples, analysis, evaluation, researching and debating will be developed within the course. Units of study are:

In Year 1
• Families and Households
• Education with Methods in Context
• Sociological Research Methods

In Year 2
• Mass Media
• Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
• Sociological Theories

Assessment

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods (2 hour written exam, 80 marks, 33.3% of A Level)

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology – Families and Households and Beliefs in Society (2 hour written exam, 80 marks, 33.3% of A Level)

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (2 hour written exam, 80 marks, 33.3% of A Level)

Progression Routes

Students can progress directly on to degrees in Sociology, Psychology or Criminology. Sociology is also beneficial for degrees in Law, History, Politics or Social Work. Many students study Sociology with a combination of other subjects in order to facilitate a pathway into careers such as teaching, counselling, public services, family support work, social work and social research.

Additional Information

The course is supported by the AQA exam board Year 1 and Year 2 text book. Knowledge of different research methods such as interviews, questionnaires, statistics and observation is essential for the sociologist to master and this is supported by using examples of sociological research from within the field of the wider social sciences.