KS5 A Level Sociology is a department that engages greatly with current and topical real-life issues that affect society today including the changes in Families and Households, the breakdown of the UK Educational structure and how to do research. The department has successfully grown over the past couple of years within the sixth form and currently stands as one of the most popular subjects on the sixth form curriculum.

There are two Social Science specialist teachers within the department that engage with the students and ensure an array of resources are used to captivate student minds.

Faculty of:
Humanities

Head of Department:
L. Specchia

Lead Coordinator:
N. Noorani

Members of staff:
N. Noorani
K. Rahim

Curriculum Summary

This course indulges the mind into questioning societal issues that are subconsciously embedded into many of our thought processes. Every individual in today’s British society undergoes some form of an educational experience. One of the main core topics you will be studying about is Education; the globalization of a universal structure in society, achievement among ethnic minorities and even the educational policies that shape the way we learn today.

Another main core topic is Crime and Deviance. Although taught solely in the A Level course, this is extremely appealing to students as it allows sociologists to understand what makes offenders commit crimes, and how they are dealt with by rehabilitation centres such as prisons.

The course breakdown is presented below for both the AS course and A Level. It is integral you have strong literacy skills that will aid you throughout the two years in expanding, improving and perfecting your academic literacy. This cause is heavily based on essay writing. Therefore, in order to achieve higher banding levels, students should be able to write lengthy paragraphs and ascertain high expectations for themselves. Cutting corners does not exist in Sociology. Where necessary, essay questions will ask you to delve into content outside of the textbook and into the real world. If students have a passion for reading, this course is for you.

An important element of A-Level Sociology is Theory and Methods. Research Methods is taught throughout both years, and are examined in Paper 1 and Paper 3. Theories and perspectives is similar, and your desire to learn about theories such as Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism will come naturally as your content knowledge develops.

Yr 12 Curriculum Map

Yr 13 Curriculum Map

Exam Board:
AQA

AS Paper 1.
50%
1 hour 30 mins.
60 marks
Education
Methods in Context
AS Paper 2.
50%
1 hour 30 mins.
60 marks
Research Methods
Families and Households
A Level Paper 1.
33%
Education
Methods in Context
Theory and Methods
A Level Paper 2.
33%
2 hours.
80 marks
Families and the Household
The Media
A Level Paper 3.
33%
2 hours.
80 marks
Crime and Deviance
Theory and Methods

Entry Requirements

Grade 5 and above in English Language and English Literature.
Grade 5 and above in Sociology (or in Humanities) GCSE