Why study Sociology? In Sociology we aim to encourage student's curiosity and interest in the society around them. Society affects us all directly, it shapes our lives, and it shapes our interactions with other individuals, groups and institutions. Therefore, for anyone who has ever questioned why things are the way they are, sociology is a 'must study' subject. Sociology gives a clear insight into the working of society and social interactions. Paper 1: Education with Research Methods in Context (Year 1) The role and purpose of education in Society. Differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity. Relationships and processes within schools: pupil subcultures, hidden curriculum. The significance of educational policies: selection, comprehensivisation and marketisation. The application of sociological research methods to the study of education. Paper 2A: Families and Households (Year 1) The relationship of the family to the social structure and social change, with particular reference to the economy and to state policies. Changing patterns of marriage, and the diversity of contemporary family and household structures. The nature and extent of changes within the family, with reference to gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships. The nature of childhood, and changes in the status of children in the family and society. Demographic trends in the UK since 1900; reasons for changes in birth and death rates. Paper 2B: Beliefs in Society (Year 2) Different theories of ideology, science and religion, including both Christian and non‐Christian religious traditions. The relationship between religious beliefs and social change and stability. Religious organisations, including cults, sects, denominations, churches and New Age movements, and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice. The relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs and practices. The significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world, including the nature and extent of secularisation in a global context. Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (Year 2) Different theories of crime, deviance, social order and social control. The social distribution of crime and deviance. Globalisation and crime; the mass media and crime; human rights and state crimes. Crime control, prevention and punishment. The connections between sociological theory and methods. Theory and Methods: The relationship between positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods. Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories. The concepts of modernity and post‐modernity. The extent to which sociology can be regarded as scientific. The relationship between sociology and social policy. What will Sociology offer you in the future? Studying Sociology will change the way you look at the world. You will learn the value of evidence based knowledge over common sense. Skills of analysis, interpretation and self-expression will be developed. Studying Sociology at A Level aids progression to University in a wide range of subjects and a variety of careers and professions including social policy, social work, journalism, human resources, public sector work. In comparison to other disciplines, sociology graduates have high rates of employability across a range of fields.
How will you be assessed? Externally assessed examinations in year 13. Three papers each 2 hours long and worth 80 marks.
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | Medway |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Boys |
| Address | Holcombe, Maidstone Road, Chatham, ME4 6JB |
Why study Sociology? In Sociology we aim to encourage student's curiosity and interest in the society around them. Society affects us all directly, it shapes our lives, and it shapes our interactions with other individuals, groups and institutions. Therefore, for anyone who has ever questioned why things are the way they are, sociology is a 'must study' subject. Sociology gives a clear insight into the working of society and social interactions. Paper 1: Education with Research Methods in Context (Year 1) The role and purpose of education in Society. Differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity. Relationships and processes within schools: pupil subcultures, hidden curriculum. The significance of educational policies: selection, comprehensivisation and marketisation. The application of sociological research methods to the study of education. Paper 2A: Families and Households (Year 1) The relationship of the family to the social structure and social change, with particular reference to the economy and to state policies. Changing patterns of marriage, and the diversity of contemporary family and household structures. The nature and extent of changes within the family, with reference to gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships. The nature of childhood, and changes in the status of children in the family and society. Demographic trends in the UK since 1900; reasons for changes in birth and death rates. Paper 2B: Beliefs in Society (Year 2) Different theories of ideology, science and religion, including both Christian and non‐Christian religious traditions. The relationship between religious beliefs and social change and stability. Religious organisations, including cults, sects, denominations, churches and New Age movements, and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice. The relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs and practices. The significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world, including the nature and extent of secularisation in a global context. Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (Year 2) Different theories of crime, deviance, social order and social control. The social distribution of crime and deviance. Globalisation and crime; the mass media and crime; human rights and state crimes. Crime control, prevention and punishment. The connections between sociological theory and methods. Theory and Methods: The relationship between positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods. Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories. The concepts of modernity and post‐modernity. The extent to which sociology can be regarded as scientific. The relationship between sociology and social policy. What will Sociology offer you in the future? Studying Sociology will change the way you look at the world. You will learn the value of evidence based knowledge over common sense. Skills of analysis, interpretation and self-expression will be developed. Studying Sociology at A Level aids progression to University in a wide range of subjects and a variety of careers and professions including social policy, social work, journalism, human resources, public sector work. In comparison to other disciplines, sociology graduates have high rates of employability across a range of fields.
How will you be assessed? Externally assessed examinations in year 13. Three papers each 2 hours long and worth 80 marks.
