SOCIOLOGY
WELCOME TO SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is offered at AS and A2 level at St. Gregory’s. It is a popular A level and many students take the subject both at A level and progress on to degree courses.
During the A level course students develop a sound sociological knowledge of many areas of social life: Culture, Family, Education, Crime and Social Class. They gain a deeper understanding of the working of society and have fun debating different issues.
COURSE AIMS
- To promote an understanding of one’s position in Society and to enable students to develop a critical, rigorous and analytical approach to Sociology and the world around them, how groups in society inter-relate and to look at and explore reasons why modern society is the way it is i.e., increase in certain types of crime, changes in family relationships and different cultural values and norms.
- To develop an interest and enthusiasm for the subject
- The course focuses on contemporary society. It is designed to foster the development of critical and reflective thinking with a respect for social diversity; and to encourage an awareness of the importance of social structure and social action in explaining social issues
SUBJECT CONTENT OF AS
Unit 1: Exploring socialisation, culture and identity
This unit assesses sociological knowledge and understanding of socialisation, culture and identity in the context of a sociological research. It explores the formation of culture and process of socialisation. It also examines the role of socialisation in the creation of identities.
Unit 2: Socialisation, culture and identity
Sociology of the family
This unit allows students to explore contemporary family structures, relationships and changes and offers a real opportunity for them to reflect on their own social experience of family life, culture and socialisation. There are four key concepts and key trends within the family, the role of the family in society, family diversity and roles, responsibilities and relationships within the family.
A2 OUTLINE
A2 Sociology is designed to enable students to build on the sociological understanding they acquire in AS Sociology and to develop an understanding of the A2 core themes of power, control and social inequality and differences.
There are links between substantive topics, sociological thought, methods of sociological enquiry and contemporary social policy.
Unit 3: Power and Control
In this option students explore issues of power and control through a detailed study of crime and deviance. The social construction of crime and deviance are emphasised and the role of agencies of social control and the law are explored. It aims to give an overview of different theoretical approaches to the study of crime and deviance. It explores the following five key issues: The definition and measurement of crime and deviance. Trends, patterns and explanations of crime and deviance. Patterns and explanations of victimisation. The role of agents of social control in the construction of crime and deviance. Solutions to the problem of crime.
