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Assessment
Sociology
Course Overview
Sociology examines social behaviour from a variety of perspectives: how it originates and then develops, and the ways people are organised into groups according to distinctions such as class, gender and race. It is a subject which looks at how people lead their lives and how they communicate with one another and integrate and function as members of society. It investigates social areas such as Education, the Family, Crime and Deviance and Religion. An important aspect of the course is Methods in Context, which introduces us to the use of research methods, something which is of great importance in higher education. The study of Sociology leads to the understanding of complex issues and it is a good basis for university level study in all disciplines. If you are interested in evaluating the workings of society and how different groups of people find their place within it, this is the course for you.
Examination Board:
AQA
Entry Requirements:
Grade 4 in GCSE English Language is preferred.
Course Level:
A Level
What skills will I develop?
| Essay writing | |
| Developing an argument with justification | |
| Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data | |
| Verbal communication | |
| Written communication | |
| Teamwork | |
| Presentation skills | |
| Evaluating sources |
How will I be assessed?
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Exam
The subject is 100% exams based and is assessed through three examinations at the end of the year 13. Over the two year course students will study a range of topics which may include: Family: including its changing pattern, roles and government policies; Education: including the hidden curriculum and government policies; Research methods: such as ethical issues and observations;
Theories: such as functionalism, Marxism and feminism; Religion: including secularisation and cults; Crime: including the effects of social class and age.
Some questions will require short answers and students will also be expected to provide longer essay based questions on some of the above topics.
Each exam paper is 2 hours long and worth 80 marks.
Paper 1: Education with theory and methods – Education (50 marks), methods in context (20 marks), theory and methods (10 marks).
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology – Families and households (40 marks) and beliefs in society (40 marks).
Paper 3 : Crime and deviance with theory and methods – Crime and deviance (50 marks), theory and methods (30 marks).
Is there anything else I should know?
A Level Sociology combines well with English, History, Psychology and Religious Studies.
Progression Routes
Many students who study Sociology go on to university to study Criminology or Sociology. Both degrees offer graduates a wide choice of future employment opportunities such jobs in Higher Education or in Social Services such as Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Policing, Counselling and Teaching.