Why choose A-Level Sociology?

Sociology is about you. It is to help you have a wider knowledge and understanding of the society in which you live.

As members of society all students should come to the course equipped with some knowledge of the social world. Sociology will help develop a deeper understanding of this social world and explain issues that directly affect the way you live.

GCE Sociology has been designed so that students will acquire the essential knowledge and understanding of the central aspects of sociological thought and methods together with the application of a range of skills. It is constructed around key sociological themes such as the way we are socialised, our culture and identity, social differentiation, power and stratification.

Sociology builds upon a set of core skills which underpin most university courses and many jobs particularly those that involve working with and dealing with people.

Sociology lessons require you to think, to question and to consider new ways of looking at the society you live in. Sociology lessons will be delivered in a number of ways, including group work, discussion, research, visual and written stimuli and data analysis. The use of ICT is inherent within the course and you will be asked to make presentations, carry out sociological research and take an active interest in the issues that face us in society today.

Some of the key sociological questions that the course asks are:

Who does well in our education system and why?
How have the roles of husbands and wives in British families changed?
Is Britain now a secular society?
What causes crime ?

Course Outline

Sociology A level comprises 4 units along with the theory and methods studied over 2 years.

AS: Families and Households; Education; Sociological Methods
A2: Beliefs in Society; Crime and Deviance; Theory and Methods

Resources and facilities

You will be provided with course textbooks, key research articles, source material and you will be expected to use the wide variety of sociological material that is on the internet, TV and radio and in newspapers and magazines.

Careers and progression

A qualification in Sociology has become an important requirement for many ‘people-focused careers particularly Health Care, Teaching, Journalism, the Police and the Legal profession, Social Work and Public Relations and Personnel Management. Much of the research into what is happening in our society is carried out by people with a sociological qualification and sociologists are found in local government, the Civil Service and advising the prime minister, his government and the other major political parties!

Entry requirements

Normally at least 5 A*-B or above to include English and a Humanities subject. No prior knowledge of the subject is required but having already studied subjects like History, Geography, RE and Health and Social Care is a help.

Course Results

Our results for 2007 have been very pleasing with all students reaching or exceeding their predicted grade

2007 A2 Sociology Results (9 students)
A - 2
B - 4
C - 2
D - 1

Enquiries

Please address all enquiries regarding the A-Level Sociology course should be made via Samuel Ward Arts and Technology College .