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Sociology

Key Stage 5

Exam board

AQA A-level Sociology 7192

Description

Sociology is the study of society and is a stimulating subject in which students achieve a greater understanding of the society in which they live. It will help to develop critical and analytical skills which are seen by employers and universities as essential for a changing world and an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Content

Year 1

  • Education – The study of the purpose and changes to the education system and how particular social groups achieve.
  • Research Methods – Studying the methods that sociologists use to understand society and the theoretical significance of them.
  • Sociological Theory – Core sociological perspectives and debates.
  • Students can then choose to study either:
  • Families and Households – The changing nature of the family in society and gender roles
    OR
  • Health – The healthcare system and inequalities in this, with some focus on mental health.

Year 2

  • Crime and Deviance – Explanations of crime in society and patterns of crime, looking at changes and possible prevention methods.
  • Beliefs in Society – The study of the changing nature of religion and its significance for society.
  Year 12 Year 13
Autumn An Introduction to Sociology
  • Key concepts
  • Perspectives
Education
  • The role of education
  • Social class and achievement
  • Ethnic groups and achievement
  • Gender and achievement
  • Education policy
 Crime and Deviance
  • Perspectives of crime – functionalism, Marxism, labelling theory and realism
  • Patterns of crime – social class, gender, and ethnicity
  • Contemporary crime – globalisation, media, green crime, and state crime
  • Prevention and Punishment – victimisation, theories of prevention and punishment, the role of the criminal justice system
Spring Research Methods and Methods in Context
  • Experiments
  • Questionnaires
  • Interviews
  • Observations
  • Secondary sources
Family
  • Sociological perspectives of the family
  • Changing family structures
  • Couple relationships
  • Childhood
Health
  • The social construction of health, the body, disability, and models of health
  • Inequalities in healthcare
  • Access to healthcare
 Beliefs in Society
  • The role of religion and definitions
  • Secularisation
  • Changes in religion – globalisation, fundamentalism, sects, and cults
  • Patterns of religious belief – social class, gender, age, and ethnicity
  • Science and ideology
Revision
  • Core themes
  • Exam skills
Summer Family
  • Demographic changes
  • Social policy
Health
  • Mental Illness
  • The health care industry and professions
Sociological Theory
  • Perspectives – functionalism, Marxism, feminism, action theory, postmodernism
  • Debates – sociology and science, values and objectivity, social policy
 Examinations
  • Paper 1 – Education with Theory and Methods
  • Paper 2 – Topics: Health and Beliefs in Society
  • Paper 3 – Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

Extra-curricular Opportunities

In school

  • We have an extensive collection of core sociological texts in the school library.
  • Our school subscribes to the Sociology Review and copies of the magazines are available to borrow.
  • We invite guest speakers from various fields to deliver talks to students. Previous guest speakers have included police officers and magistrates.

Outside school

  • We encourage students to attend Sociology themed lectures at the Cheltenham Literature and Science Festivals. We identify and advertise specific speakers for students that are relevant to the subject.
  • Annual visit to Gloucester Crown Court.
  • University of Gloucestershire Sociology and Criminology Day.

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