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Courses Offered

GCSE Sociology (AQA)

AQA Course Code 8192 – for examinations from 2019

GCSE Sociology helps students to gain knowledge and understanding of key social structures, processes and issues through the study of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification.  Students will develop their analytical, assimilation and communication skills by comparing and contrasting perspectives on a variety of social issues, constructing reasoned arguments, making substantiated judgements and drawing reasoned conclusions.  By studying sociology, students will develop transferable skills including how to:

  • Investigate facts and make deductions
  • Develop opinions and new ideas on social issues
  • Analyse and better understand the social world.

Assessment

Two 1 hour 45 minute, 100 mark exams at the end of Year 11:

  • Unit 1: The sociology of families, the sociology of education and relevant areas of social theory and methodology (50% total GCSE grade)
  • Unit 2: The sociology of families, the sociology of education and relevant areas of social theory and methodology (50% total GCSE grade).

There is no coursework/controlled assessment.

GCE:  A Level Sociology (AQA 7191/7192)

The A Level qualification focuses on various sociological views including Feminist, Functionalist, and New Right, Post-Modern and Marxist theories on a range of topics:

  • Family and Households
  • Education
  • Crime and Deviance
  • Religion. 

Students will develop a critical voice throughout their studies evaluating and analysing the contribution of the different sociological paradigms to our understanding of each of these institutions.  Students will also understand the importance of sociology in society with regards to policy making and have an appreciation of the subject as a research based discipline.  They will need to be able to evaluate different approaches to sociological research including interpretivist and positivist methods in investigating complex social interactions. 

Main features of the A Level qualification (taken over two years)

Unit 1: Education with Theory and Methods
Weighting: Written exam 2 hours - 33.3 % of total A Level

Section A: Education (50 marks)
Section B: Methods in Context (20 marks)
Section C: Theory and Methods (10 marks)

The questions will be a selection of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing.

Unit 2: Topics in Sociology
Weighting: Written exam 2 hours - 33.3 % of total A Level

Section A: Optional: Families and Households  (40 marks)
Section B: Optional: Beliefs in Society (40 marks)

Unit 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Weighting: Written exam 2 hours 33.3% of total A Level

Section A: Crime and Deviance (50 marks)
Section B: Theory and methods (30 marks)

All three units are examined at the end of the second year in May/June.

What use will Sociology be in the future?

Sociology allows University entrance to a wide range of degree courses.  Careers which follow on from a qualification in Sociology include:

  • Journalism
  • Law
  • Teaching
  • Business Management
  • Advertising
  • Media
  • Police and Criminology.
Curriculum Information