A Level

What is Sociology?

Sociology is all about the study of society. We examine how society is structured and organised – whilst also examining how we as individuals are the product of the society in which we are raised.

Through an A level Sociology course you will learn of the different ways in which sociologists have tried to research and explain different social structures (such as education, the family, and the modern state) as well as different social processes (such as socialisation and educational success and failure). The course is broken down into a number of distinct components. In each component we will study and debate the different sociological theories relating to that area. The table below shows the three exam papers that you will sit at the end of the two year course.

Exam Board: AQA

Course Summary 

Paper 1 Education with Theory & Methods	Education Theory & Methods
Paper 2 Topics in Sociology	Families & Households Stratification & Differentiation
Paper 3 Crime & Deviance with Theory & Methods	Crime & Deviance Theory & Methods

What skills will I gain from studying sociology?

You will develop:-

• your ability to investigate and question those aspects of the world around you that most people take for granted (social norms, educational achievement, trends in marriage, divorce and life expectancy)
• your ability to evaluate sociological theories in terms of their strengths, weaknesses, and relevant evidence.
• an appreciation of the different research methods used by sociologists to study the work around them.

Where can I find out more information?

Mr Cornell icornell@parkhall.org
Mrs Williams twilliams@parkhall.org