Sociology

Course summary

The A Level Sociology course aims to ensure that students are able to make informed judgements about contemporary issues and to foster an awareness of the social world in which they live. Students often find that skills and knowledge developed are transferable and beneficial to a range of other subject areas. Students are exposed to a range of social and political debates, sometimes controversial, enabling them to develop skills of critical awareness and analysis. This is an academic subject, where written communication skills are paramount, sociology lessons typically use a range of methods to develop sociological understanding and skills including: debate, student-led seminars, discursive essay writing, analysis of texts, essay modelling and peer assessment. The course encourages students to become independent learners in order to enhance their grasp of broader sociological discourses. Hence, wider reading of sociological journals and texts, newspapers and media documentaries is encouraged.