Sociology

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

You are required to meet the Sixth Form entry requirements to study Sociology at AS - 5 GCSE’s A to C (including English and Mathematics).
Sociology A Level sits well with English A level and other Humanities subjects, Ethics, Geography, History and Psychology.

COURSE AIMS

The OCR A Level specification in Sociology enables our students 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 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.
Develop an interest and enthusiasm for Sociology.
Focus 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.
Recognise that their sociological knowledge, understanding and skills help them to develop an understanding of the interrelationships between individuals, groups, institutions and societies.
Analyse critically the nature and sources of information and to base reasoned judgements and arguments on evidence.
Organise and communicate their knowledge and understanding in different and creative ways, and reach substantiated judgements.
Appreciate the significance of theoretical and conceptual issues in sociological debate.
Understand and evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods through active involvement in the research process.
Develop skills that enable individuals to focus on their personal identity, roles and responsibilities within society.
Develop a lifelong interest in social issues

KEY STAGE 5 OVERVIEW

Overview of A level in Sociology

Students must complete all components (01-03) for full A level

and Components 01 & 02 for AS

Content Overview

Assessment Overview

Year 12

Introducing socialisation, culture and identity

Families and relationships

Socialisation, culture and identity (01)

90 marks

1 hour 30 minutes written paper

30% of total A Level

Research methods and researching social inequalities

Year 13

Understanding social inequalities (02)

Researching and understanding social inequalities (02)

105 marks

2 hours 15 minutes

35% of total A Level

Globalisation and the digital social world

Debates explored through a detailed study of Crime and deviance

Debates in contemporary society (03)

105 marks

2 hours 15 minutes

35% of total A Level

Sociology is taught by Mrs Coyle and Miss Cooney.

Year 12

Year 12- Component 1

(01) Content of Socialisation, Culture and Identity

This component introduces students to the key themes of Socialisation, Culture and Identity and develops these themes through Families and Relationships.

How diverse are modern families?
To what extent are roles and relationships within families and households changing?

Year 12 – Component 2

(02) Content of Researching and understanding social inequalities:

This component explores the methods of sociological enquiry and develops knowledge and understanding of contemporary social processes and social change in the context of social inequality and difference. This component aims to foster the development of critical and reflective thinking with a respect for social diversity in terms of social class, gender, ethnicity and age. It develops links between the nature of sociological thought and methods of sociological enquiry.

Although not directly assessed, this component encourages learners to carry out their own small-scale research projects as a way of enhancing their sociological understanding of methodology, substantive topic areas and core themes.

The following tables outline the content that must be studied. This is split into two sections, Section A and Section B.

Section A: Research methods and researching social inequalities

In this section, students are introduced to a range of methods and sources of data as well as the factors influencing the design of sociological research and the relationship between theory and methods. Students are encouraged to consider the practical, ethical and theoretical issues arising in sociological research and to apply knowledge of research methods to the particular context of social inequalities.

YEAR 13

Year 13 – Component 2: Researching and understanding social inequalities

Section B: Understanding social inequalities

Within this section, students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary patterns and trends of social inequality. Learners are able to engage in theoretical debate, explore conceptual issues and develop skills of analysis and evaluation of sociological research and evidence.

Key Questions:

What is the relationship between theory and methods?
Which methods are used in sociological research?
What are the main patterns and trends in social inequality and difference?
How can patterns and trends in social inequality and difference be explained?

Year 13 – Component 3: Debates in Contemporary Society

(03) Content of Debates in contemporary society

This component engages students in theoretical debates and how these relate to a contemporary global society. The component will develop knowledge and understanding of social processes and social change. It develops links between the topics studied in the component, the nature of sociological thought, contemporary social policy and the core themes.

Contemporary and global debates are introduced through a compulsory topic of ‘Globalisation and the digital social world’ in Section A, whilst Section B explores them in more depth from a detailed study of Crime and Deviance.

Section A: Globalisation and the digital social world

Key questions

What is the relationship between globalisation and digital forms of communication?
What is the impact of digital forms of communication in a global context?

Section B option 1: Crime and deviance

This option focuses on debates in contemporary society through a detailed study of crime and deviance. The social construction of crime and deviance are considered and the ways in which crime is socially distributed, explained and reduced. This option introduces a global dimension, with reference to patterns and trends. It aims to give an understanding of different theoretical approaches to the study of crime and deviance.

Key Questions

How are crime and deviance defined and measured?
What are the patterns and trends in crime?
How can crime and deviance be explained?