Sociology – A Level

Special Entry Requirements

In addition to the A Level entry requirements you will need a grade 5 in GCSE English Language.

Subject Intent

Sociology aims to support young people’s exploration of the world around them and to encourage them to think critically about their everyday experiences. The course promotes discussion and understanding others’ points of views (even when they don’t agree). This means young people gain skills such as communication, empathy, and tolerance. It provides a safe space for them to discuss topics they may not be able to elsewhere in a controlled and welcoming environment. Academically, Sociology develops evaluative and analytical skills and application of relevant Sociological studies as well as research skills. It provides them with the ability to research independently promoting inquisitiveness. Students are encouraged to stay up to date with world news therefore providing them with vital understanding of our society.

What will I study?

Families and Households - Families and Households are a key part of a person’s socialisation and it is important that we explore the different types of families in society (as well as learning acceptance and tolerance of differences).

Media - Students learn how to be critical of what they read such as fake news, as well as looking at stereotypes the media reinforces and how young people can learn to recognise these. Globalisation features heavily in this topic, and this is prominent in modern Sociological theory.

Crime and Deviance – Why people turn to crime from a social group point of view and how society can impact crime. Prevention and punishment are also explored. Crime statistics and case studies feature heavily in this topic to help students get real life examples of crime.

Sociological Theories – sociological theories will be applied to different topics, such as feminism, post-modernism, functionalism among others.

Research Methods – Students will learn about the different research methods. They will carry out their own research project during this time, this helps them understand consent, picking a method and evaluation of a topic.

Education - how educational policies are implemented and how this impacts social groups. The relationships between teacher and pupils as well as between peer groups forms a large part of this topic and helps students understand why some students succeed and why some do not.

Course Introduction

Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behaviour, and you will investigate how living in a particular society affects people. Imagine the difference between being born in Britain, or the USA, or a tribe in the rain forest – and also how lives are influenced by such factors as social class, sex, race, and age. Sociology is very much a “discussion subject”, and your opinions are valued on the really important issues of today: teenage gang crime, environmental crimes, domestic violence, immigration, Islam in the UK, globalisation, use of new media and technology, and many more. In Sociology you will focus on statistics as well as the previous work of sociologists and their theories.

Preparing for A Level Sociology

Sociology transition pack

We have created a transition pack on our website to show you the kind of work that you will be doing at level 3 and to help you prepare for September.

If you have any questions about the course, please email admissions@s6f.org.uk

Course Modules

Sociology is broadly an arts subject, which is to say that the emphasis is on discussion and on the balancing of different arguments in a logical fashion. However, the subject also involves systematic research
Sociology means the study of society and of the different groups which make up society – the two sexes, different age groups, races and ethnic groups, different social classes
The main focus of attention is UK contemporary society
All modules are assessed by written exams, so your written English needs to be good
You will learn the skills of social research – questionnaires, interviews and observation

First Year

In the first year you will be introduced to the fundamental ideas of Sociology by concentrating on the process of ‘socialisation’ – how people learn the typical attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour of a particular society. We consider socialisation and differentiation (the different groups in society) in relation to families and households and education. For example, we investigate different family arrangements, the nature of childhood, the role and purpose of education, and reasons for educational underachievement. We also study sociological methods for example how to create a sociological-based study.

Second Year

In the second year the first unit is either media or beliefs in society. Media examines such topics as new media, ownership, control of the media, globalisation and popular culture. You will also look at how the media represents gender, age, social class, ethnicity, sexuality and disability. For example, Wonder (2017) and how it explores societies' response to visible disabilities and why this is the case.

The second unit is the sociology of crime and deviance, which looks at issues such as green crimes, state crimes, social control, patterns and trends in crime and the role of the criminal justice system. This module also includes a section on sociological methods.