Sociology | Dormers Wells High School

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Sociology

Students develop a wide range of knowledge and understanding about society, and how sociologists study and understand its structures, processes and issues.

Sociology is exciting, interesting and relevant to our students' lives. We follow the AQA specification at GCSE and A Level. The specification encourages students to take a questioning approach to evidence and issues, thus developing their critical, evaluative skills.

The AQA specification has been developed to enable a smooth progression. Students who do the GCSE Sociology specification will be prepared when moving on to A-Level Sociology

Key stage 4

This course develops an understanding of patterns of social life. Students should develop their knowledge of the world in which they live and their ability to understand and analyse it critically. There is a great deal of reading and writing involved in the GCSE so a good standard of English is required.

YEAR 10 - Unit 1

The sociological approach
Families
Education

YEAR 11 - Unit 2

Sociological research methods
Crime and deviance
Social stratification

Which examination board sets the syllabus?
AQA

What qualification will i get?
GCSE Sociology

Assessment
Students will be assesed by sitting 2 written examinations, both sat in year 11.
The examinations will be 1hr 45mins each. There are three assessment objectives...

A01	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods.
A02	Apply knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods.
A03	Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and methods in order to construct arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions.

key stage 5
Studying sociology offers insights into social and cultural issues. It helps students to develop a multi-perspective and critical approach to understanding issues around culture, identity, crime, education, beliefs, childhood and families. The focus of the course is to: provide an appropriate foundation for further study of sociology and related subjects in higher education, for example criminology. provide a worthwhile course for students of various ages and from diverse backgrounds in terms of general education and lifelong learning. prepare a solid foundation for students intending to pursue careers in the field of social sciences. Exam Board: AQA Year 1 Subject Content: Education with Theory and Methods Education Methods in context Research methods Plus Families and households Year 2 Subject Content Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods Crime and deviance Methods in context Theory and methods Plus Beliefs in society Career Opportunities / Routes Sociology prepares us for life in the 21st century as it develops the skills of investigation, analysis, evaluation and team work. It encourages us to look at the world around us. This course supports students to progress onto university to study sociology, but it also helps in accessing a number of different courses, including medicine and law. The career options available to students who study sociology are wide ranging, it is a great choice for people who want a career in social work, medicine, nursing, law and journalism. In addition, it is useful in a number of other careers such as marketing, advertising, politics, PR or teaching. Assessment Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods 33% Paper 2: Topics in Sociology (families and households & Beliefs in society 33% Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods 33%

key stage 5

Studying sociology offers insights into social and cultural issues. It helps students to develop a multi-perspective and critical approach to understanding issues around culture, identity, crime, education, beliefs, childhood and families.

The focus of the course is to:

provide an appropriate foundation for further study of sociology and related subjects in higher education, for example criminology.
provide a worthwhile course for students of various ages and from diverse backgrounds in terms of general education and lifelong learning.
prepare a solid foundation for students intending to pursue careers in the field of social sciences.

Exam Board: AQA

Year 1 Subject Content:

Education with Theory and Methods

Education
Methods in context
Research methods

Plus

Families and households

Year 2 Subject Content

Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

Crime and deviance
Methods in context
Theory and methods

Plus

Beliefs in society

Career Opportunities / Routes

Sociology prepares us for life in the 21st century as it develops the skills of investigation, analysis, evaluation and team work. It encourages us to look at the world around us. This course supports students to progress onto university to study sociology, but it also helps in accessing a number of different courses, including medicine and law. The career options available to students who study sociology are wide ranging, it is a great choice for people who want a career in social work, medicine, nursing, law and journalism. In addition, it is useful in a number of other careers such as marketing, advertising, politics, PR or teaching.

Assessment

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology (families and households & Beliefs in society

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

useful links for learning
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/sociology https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/ https://revisesociology.com/ https://www.sociologystuff.com/ https://hecticteachersalevelsociologysite.wordpress.com/ https://theconversation.com/uk