A Level Sociology is an engaging and thought-provoking subject that explores how society works and how social groups, institutions and beliefs shape the world we live in. It is ideal for students who are interested in current affairs, social issues and understanding why people experience society in different ways.
This is a two-year A Level course, normally studied alongside two other A Levels or equivalent qualifications. The course is externally assessed at the end of the two-year programme and includes three written examinations. You will develop important academic skills including critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, essay writing and the use of evidence to support arguments.
At this college, students study the following topics:
· Education
· Families and Households
· Beliefs in Society
· Crime and Deviance
· Theory and Methods
· Methods in Context
In Education, you will explore the role and purpose of the education system, differences in educational achievement, relationships within schools and the links between education, the economy and social policy.
In Families and Households, you will study changing patterns of family life, gender roles, childhood, demographic change and the ways families vary across society.
In Beliefs in Society, you will examine religion, secularisation, ideology, spirituality and the role belief systems play in contemporary social life.
In Crime and Deviance, you will investigate patterns of crime, explanations for criminal behaviour, the social distribution of crime, globalisation and crime control, and debates around justice and punishment.
Throughout the course, Theory and Methods helps you understand how sociologists study society, the different perspectives they use, and the strengths and limitations of different types of research. AQA includes Education with Theory and Methods, Topics in Sociology, and Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods as the three assessed components of the qualification.