Why should I study Sociology?

Sociology is an interesting and challenging subject which aims to discover how society works and affects people. Different sociological theories will be explored and applied to sections of society, such as education and the family. The different methods employed by sociologists will be evaluated – for example, social surveys, observations and mass media. The course will address such contemporary issues as the future of the family, the popularity of marriage, differences in educational achievement, the reason for education, causes of suicide and ownership of the media.

This course is of interest to anyone wishing to know more about how the society in which they live actually works.

What will I study?

AS Units
Unit 1: Families and Households
Topics include:

• Changing patterns of family life – divorce, marriage, cohabitation
• Changing roles of men, women and children in family life
• Sociological theories of the role of the family in society

This represents 40% of the AS Level and 20% of A Level marks.

Unit 2 Education: Sociological Methods
Topics include:

• Difference in achievement – social class, gender and ethnicity
• Sociological explanations of the role of education in society
• Development of educational policy in the UK
• Techniques used by sociologists to investigate society – interviews, observation, questionnaires, experiments, secondary data

This represents 60% of the AS Level and 30% of the A Level marks.

A2 Units
Unit 3: Mass Media

• Ownership and control of the mass media
• Sociological theories of the role of the media, effects on the audience
• The media and stereotyping – gender, age, ethnicity.

This represents 20% of the total A Level marks.

Unit 4: Crime and Deviance; Theory and Methods

Topics include:

• Sociological theories of crime and deviance
• Crime and social class, gender, ethnicity, region and age
• Green crime, state crime and crime prevention
• Criminal justice
• Sociological theories of society and research methods

This represents 30% of the total A Level marks.

What are the entry requirements?

Normal college entry requirements plus GCSE English grade C desirable.

What skills do I need?

• Have a genuine interest in current affairs
• Be willing to develop your writing skills and learn about new ideas and concepts.

How will I be taught?

The subject will be taught using a variety of methods, including discussions, group work, videos and individual research. A range of activities are used to develop your understanding and assess your learning.

How is the course assessed?

AS – one 1 hr and one 2 hr written exam.
A2 – one 1½ hr and one 2 hr written exam.

Sociology is for you if

You are interested in the world around you and enjoy learning and discussing new ideas and theories.

Sociology is not for you if

You dislike writing essays and preparing for exams.

« Back to Course Listing