Sociology (A Level

Sociology

Sociology is the study of society. It looks at how people live, behave and work together in groups.

It asks questions about the world that we live in and tries to explain why it is the way it is. Studying this subject will undoubtedly broaden each student’s perspective on a variety of topical issues. These include some of following:

• Why do baby girls typically wear pink and baby boys typically wear blue? • Why do people commit crimes, and what are we trying to achieve through punishment? • Why do girls do better than boys at GCSE level? • Why do some countries have higher rates of religiosity than others?

Sociology helps provide explanations for all these and more. Armed with theoretical knowledge (on Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and more), students studying Sociology will be able to progress seamlessly onto undergraduate study with a balanced perspective on how society operates and – more broadly – why the world works in the way it does.

In terms of assessment, the course is comprised of three exam papers that cover various different ‘pillars’ within society. In Year 12, these topics include: Education, Families and Households & Methods in Context. In Year 13, these include: Beliefs in Society, Crime and Deviance & Theory and Methods.

An A Level qualification in Sociology is valued in many sectors of higher education and employment such as policing, nursing, teaching, academia, law, social work and journalism. Overview

Level: A Level

Exam Board: AQA QAN Code: 601/3994/8

Entry Requirements:

Grade 5 in GCSE English, Grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics and Science

Subject Leader:

Miss K. Varney: kvarney@thejohnwallisacademy.org