Sociology

Our course will explore these questions and many more. We will compare theories and different methods of investigation. We will examine topics such as Gender, Social Class, Race, Crime and Deviance, the

Family, Health, Social Policy, Religion, Global Development etc.

You will need to know and understand the main theories and ideas and you will need to be able to

interpret and evaluate sociological data and apply it to your understanding of the real world. Above all, you will need an enquiring mind and a real interest in human beings. You will need to be open-minded and you will need to enjoy discussion - both as a participant and as a listener. Be prepared to challenge, to be challenged, to consolidate your work at home and complete the relevant sections in the topic booklets provided.

The course will be studied over two years with examinations at the end of the second year of the course.

The examinations will be structured in the following way:

Paper 1:Education with Theory and Methods

• 2 hour written exam

• 80 marks

• 33.3% of A-level

Questions:

Education: short answer and extended writing - 50 marks

Methods in Context: extended writing -20 marks

Theory and Methods: extended writing -10 marks

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology

• 2 hour written exam

• 80 marks

• 33.3% of A-level

Questions:

Section A: extended writing -40 marks

Section B: extended writing -40 marks

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

• 2 hour written exam

• 80 marks

• 33.3% of A-level

Questions:

Crime and Deviance: short answer and extended writing —50 marks

Theory and Methods: extended writing -30 marks

The following topics will be studied:

Education with Theory and Methods Families and Households The Media

Crime and Deviance Theory and Methods

What will Sociology combine with?

Almost anything! Sociology can be a good way to keep a broad perspective on life rather than

becoming very narrowly subject based. This is due to the evaluative and synoptic skills that the subject offers. As a Social Science it does, of course, combine well with other similar subjects - History,

Geography, Psychology, English, Theatre Studies, etc. In the past we have had almost every conceivable combination!

Overall Entry Requirements:

6 GCSE's at grade 4 or above including an English and Maths.

Course Specific Entry Requirements:

GCSE grade 5 in a Humanities subject or grade 5 in an English.

A Level Sociology is a good basis for a Sociology or Social Science degree or for more vocational courses such as Social Care, Nursing or Social Administration courses.

Alternatively Sociology could lead to any career involving people - the police force, health work of all descriptions, social work, teaching, personnel management, business management, etc.