Sociology – AS & A Level

AQA

Description of the Specification

Sociology is the study of societies, people and their behaviour. Sociologists investigate the links between what society makes of us and what we make of ourselves.

The Sociology course examines contemporary society where you will study many aspects of life in modern Britain. During the first year we will focus on the Family and Education where we will be trying to understand issues such as:

• Are we experiencing too much too young?
• Does being stereotyped by a teacher impact your education?

Then, in the second year we will be studying Crime & Deviance and Beliefs in Society where we will be investigating questions such as:

• Why are some people more likely to become criminals?
• What encourages people to join gangs?
• Why are certain people attracted to cults?

Type and Nature of Work Involved

Students will be:

• encouraged to be interested independent, active learners
• expected to produce logical written and verbal arguments
• required to participate in class debates and keep up-to-date with current issues
• able to reflect on their own experience and the social world in which they live.

Method of Assessment

AS
Unit 1 Families and Households   
1 hour written examination (20% of total A level marks)
Unit 2 Education and Sociological Methods 
2 hour written examination (30% of total A level marks)

A2
Unit 3 Beliefs in Society    
1.5 hour written examination (20% of total A level marks)
Unit 4 Crime & Deviance and Theory & Methods 
2 hour written examination (30% of total A level marks)

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