Sociology

You will learn about:

• The role of families in shaping societies, and how cultural norms and values influence behaviour.  
• The impact of education on social inequality and social mobility.  
• The relationship between religion and society, including its role in conflict and social cohesion.  
• How crime and deviance are socially constructed and the way society responds to criminal behaviour.  

Sociology will help you critically examine the world around you, develop your analytical skills, and prepare you for a wide range of future studies or careers in fields such as social work, law, journalism, education, or politics.  

Course Content & Assessment

Module 1: Family and Households

In this module, you’ll explore the role of the family in society, looking at how family structures change over time. You will: 

• Investigate how marriage, cohabitation, separation, and divorce have changed over the years. 

• Examine family diversity and the social consequences it has on society. 

• Study gender roles within the family, including the division of household labour and power dynamics. 

Module 2: Research Methods

This unit covers the key ways sociologists study society. You’ll learn about: 

• Different research methods such as observations, experiments, questionnaires, and interviews. 

• The use of secondary sources, including official statistics, to gather data. 

• The strengths and weaknesses of each method and how they can be applied to real-life sociological research. 

Module 3: Education and Methods in Context.

Here, you’ll explore the role of education in society, with a focus on: 

• The purpose of education and how it impacts social groups based on class, gender, and ethnicity. 

• How state policies (e.g., selection, comprehensivisation, marketisation) affect the education system. 

• The application of sociological methods to study education, including the pros and cons of different research methods like observations, questionnaires, and interviews. 

Module 4: Beliefs in Society.

This module examines religion in society and includes: 

• The role of ideology, science, and religion, including Christian and non-Christian traditions. 

• How religious beliefs and practices relate to social change and stability. 

• The impact of secularisation and globalisation on religion, and how New Age Movements, sects, and cults influence society. 

Module 5: Crime and Deviance

In this module, you’ll study the different theories of crime and deviance, focusing on: 

• Social control, order, and patterns of crime across gender, class, and ethnicity. 

• How globalisation, state crime, green crime, and media influence crime. 

• The role of the criminal justice system, as well as surveillance, prevention, and punishment. 

Module 6: Theory, Debates and Methods

This final module brings together everything you’ve learned: 

• You’ll revisit the research methods from earlier modules, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of each. 

• Explore key sociological theories like Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism, Interactionism, Postmodernism, and more. 

• Question whether sociology can be considered a science, and examine social policy and the role of objectivity and values in research. 

Examinations:

• Paper 1: Education and Methods (2 hours- 80 marks)

• Paper 2: Topics in sociology (2 hours- 80 marks)

• Paper 3: Crime and deviance and theory (2 hours- 80 marks)

Teaching

In Sociology, you’ll experience a dynamic range of teaching methods designed to keep you engaged and help you develop a deep understanding of the subject. Classes will include teacher-led discussions, group work, pair work, and opportunities for independent research and presentations.

Your teachers are passionate about Sociology and will work hard to make the subject engaging and thought-provoking. You’ll be encouraged to explore real-world issues, challenge your thinking, and develop your own ideas.

As an academic subject, Sociology will push you to think critically and analytically, but you will be fully supported throughout the course. Whether you’re working independently or collaborating with peers, you’ll always have the guidance and resources you need to succeed.

Your Future

Sociology is a fascinating and intellectually rewarding subject that provides a solid foundation for a variety of university courses and career paths. With its focus on understanding society, identity, and human behaviour, an A-Level in Sociology is perfect for students interested in journalism, the caring professions, teaching, management, and law enforcement.

The skills you develop in critical thinking, research, and analysis will be highly valued in a wide range of fields. Sociology is not only relevant to social sciences but also offers insights that can be applied to roles in media, human resources, social work, and beyond.

Whether you want to pursue further study or jump straight into a career, Sociology provides you with the knowledge and transferable skills to thrive in many future opportunities.

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