Sociology

285A8749

Overview

This two year A level course provides an introduction to a range of areas of sociological interest, examining the role of institutions in society, inequality, discrimination and power relationships.  Students will learn how to conduct sociological research, using a variety of methods such as interviews and questionnaires.  The course also offers an insight into many current social issues, giving you the chance to explore the contributions of Sociology to the real world, in fields such as Criminology and Education.

Details of this specification can be found here: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/sociology/specifications/AQA-7191-7192-SP-2015.PDF 

Topics covered over the two years

  • Education
  • Research Methods
  • Families and households
  • The Media
  • Crime and Deviance
  • Theory

Homework

Homework will take the form of exam questions, note taking and research tasks.  Such tasks are designed to enhance and consolidate the learning from lessons and to prepare students for University.

Assessment:

3 exams at the end of the 2 years.

Paper 1:

Education with Theory and Methods

  • 2 hour written exam
  • 80 marks
  • 33.3% of A-level Questions
  • Education: short answer and extended writing, 50 marks
  • Methods in Context: extended writing, 20 marks
  • Theory and Methods: extended writing, 10 marks

Paper 2:

The Media and Families and Households

  • 2 hour written exam
  • 80 marks
  • 33.3% of A-level Questions
  • Section A: extended writing, 40 marks Section B: extended writing, 40 marks

Paper 3:

Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

  • 2 hour written exam
  • 80 marks
  • 33.3% of A-level Questions Crime and Deviance: short answer and extended writing, 50 marks
  • Theory and Methods: extended writing, 30 marks

Other Useful Information

It is really useful that students read newspapers and watch the news regularly as we make reference to this in lessons.

The AQA website is also very useful for past paper questions and mark schemes.

www.aqa.org.uk

www.bbc.co.uk

5 ways I can help my child

1 Discuss what they have been studying in Sociology. Ask them to explain key concepts to you, such as norms and values. Definitions are part of the formal assessment in A level Sociology, therefore discussing key concepts develops their knowledge and understanding.

2

Read through their work and their files and encourage them to read the relevant pages in their text book and annotate lesson notes with additional information.

3

Embed challenge – encourage them to read/ listen to the news and find articles linked to topics they are studying. Ask them to explain these articles with reference to Sociological perspectives and think about the issue of institutions within society e.g. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/42897731/drugs-and-knives-are-left-at-the-altar
4 Encourage them to be independent learners who read around their subject, looking at websites such as https://revisesociology.com/ and https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology

5

Tutor2u provide an excellent range of videos that cover the AQA Sociology A level specification.  Encourage them to watch ones relating to the topic that they are studying e.g. https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/collections/theory-methods-student-revision-videos