What is Sociology A level about? In Sociology, we study the way people are affected by society, and how society is affected by people. Some sociologists see the behavior of individuals as determined by how they are raised and educated, what media they are exposed to, and whether they are rich or poor, men or women, black or white. Others see individuals as powerful in shaping society. What is undeniable is that, as individuals, we spend almost all our time in groups, and to understand our behavior we have to examine and assess the impact of those groups and institutions on us. What does the A level consist of? Socialization and Culture The socialization and culture unit provides the foundation for all other areas in Sociology. It explores how humans are socialized through the media, family, religion, peers, education, and the workplace. We also explore issues of gender, ethnicity, class, and national identity and how these are changing in the contemporary UK. Families and Households: The family is one of the most fundamental social institutions in our lives. It is a place where we learn norms, values, roles, and identities through a process of primary socialization. However, sociologists have differing views on the role that the family has for an individual. Is the role of the family to prepare its members for successful integration into wider society? Does the family perform an ideological role that maintains the exploitative relationship between the ruling class and the working class? Do the roles of the family benefit both men and women equally? The identity of the traditional family has changed, and we are now experiencing a modern family that is more negotiable and fluid than ever before. Factors such as sexuality, ethnicity, social class, and social expectations have all played a major part in changing the way we understand the role of the family in contemporary society. Education: In the education unit, we will explore the role of education in society. We will look at differing perspectives; some argue that the role of education is to socialize children into model citizens, whilst other theories argue that the role of the education system is to create passive workers. We will also consider inequalities in education, focusing on differential treatment in terms of class, ethnicity, and gender. This module allows for a lot of creative input from students as they have all had experiences in education. Crime & Deviance: Official statistics show that most crime is committed by young, working-class men, but most victims are young working-class men, too. Why? And why is the same act regarded as normal in one situation but criminal in another? For instance, why is it only seen as mildly deviant to walk across a pedestrian crossing without waiting for the green light, but in America, this is an arrestable offense? Why are there more boy than girl gangs, and why are the numbers of girl gangs growing? In addition to understanding the reasons why individuals turn to crime, we also consider the solutions and preventative measures that can be taken to tackle crime, such as CCTV or re-designing an environment to reduce crime. Research methods and inequality: Throughout the Sociology course, research methods and inequality will be underlying areas of study. You will be questioning the role of social inequalities in families, education and crime, and deviance; how do gender, ethnicity, and social class link to these subject areas? You will also be exploring what are the best ways to research these issues. Would it be useful to hand out questionnaires to gang members or would you need to immerse yourself in their culture to truly understand them?
Five GCSEs at grade 6 or above, including English and Maths. It is assumed that candidates will have gained a grade 6/B in GCSE English Language, English Literature, and, where applicable, a grade 5/C in one humanities subject.
A level of Sociology covers three components, all of which are assessed through exams at the end of year 13. Component 1: Socialisation and Culture: this includes a compulsory unit on culture and socialization in general and the options of family and education. Exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes. Component 2: Methods of Sociological Enquiry: this covers the important area of research methods including a question in which you need to design your research. Exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes. Component 3: Power and stratification. This includes the compulsory unit on inequality and the crime and deviance option. Exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes. At the end of each unit, there will be a mock test that will resemble or could be a past paper on this topic.
About Education Provider
| Region | South West |
| Local Authority | Gloucestershire |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Beachley Road, Sedbury, Chepstow, NP16 7AA |
What is Sociology A level about? In Sociology, we study the way people are affected by society, and how society is affected by people. Some sociologists see the behavior of individuals as determined by how they are raised and educated, what media they are exposed to, and whether they are rich or poor, men or women, black or white. Others see individuals as powerful in shaping society. What is undeniable is that, as individuals, we spend almost all our time in groups, and to understand our behavior we have to examine and assess the impact of those groups and institutions on us. What does the A level consist of? Socialization and Culture The socialization and culture unit provides the foundation for all other areas in Sociology. It explores how humans are socialized through the media, family, religion, peers, education, and the workplace. We also explore issues of gender, ethnicity, class, and national identity and how these are changing in the contemporary UK. Families and Households: The family is one of the most fundamental social institutions in our lives. It is a place where we learn norms, values, roles, and identities through a process of primary socialization. However, sociologists have differing views on the role that the family has for an individual. Is the role of the family to prepare its members for successful integration into wider society? Does the family perform an ideological role that maintains the exploitative relationship between the ruling class and the working class? Do the roles of the family benefit both men and women equally? The identity of the traditional family has changed, and we are now experiencing a modern family that is more negotiable and fluid than ever before. Factors such as sexuality, ethnicity, social class, and social expectations have all played a major part in changing the way we understand the role of the family in contemporary society. Education: In the education unit, we will explore the role of education in society. We will look at differing perspectives; some argue that the role of education is to socialize children into model citizens, whilst other theories argue that the role of the education system is to create passive workers. We will also consider inequalities in education, focusing on differential treatment in terms of class, ethnicity, and gender. This module allows for a lot of creative input from students as they have all had experiences in education. Crime & Deviance: Official statistics show that most crime is committed by young, working-class men, but most victims are young working-class men, too. Why? And why is the same act regarded as normal in one situation but criminal in another? For instance, why is it only seen as mildly deviant to walk across a pedestrian crossing without waiting for the green light, but in America, this is an arrestable offense? Why are there more boy than girl gangs, and why are the numbers of girl gangs growing? In addition to understanding the reasons why individuals turn to crime, we also consider the solutions and preventative measures that can be taken to tackle crime, such as CCTV or re-designing an environment to reduce crime. Research methods and inequality: Throughout the Sociology course, research methods and inequality will be underlying areas of study. You will be questioning the role of social inequalities in families, education and crime, and deviance; how do gender, ethnicity, and social class link to these subject areas? You will also be exploring what are the best ways to research these issues. Would it be useful to hand out questionnaires to gang members or would you need to immerse yourself in their culture to truly understand them?
Five GCSEs at grade 6 or above, including English and Maths. It is assumed that candidates will have gained a grade 6/B in GCSE English Language, English Literature, and, where applicable, a grade 5/C in one humanities subject.
A level of Sociology covers three components, all of which are assessed through exams at the end of year 13. Component 1: Socialisation and Culture: this includes a compulsory unit on culture and socialization in general and the options of family and education. Exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes. Component 2: Methods of Sociological Enquiry: this covers the important area of research methods including a question in which you need to design your research. Exam: 1 hour and 45 minutes. Component 3: Power and stratification. This includes the compulsory unit on inequality and the crime and deviance option. Exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes. At the end of each unit, there will be a mock test that will resemble or could be a past paper on this topic.