Sociology

Sociology seeks to account for the varied forms of human society and to look at the impact of culture and social organisation on individual lives. Students should use the concepts and analytical framework developed within the discipline of sociology to reflect on their own experiences of the social world in a variety of social settings. They will apply their awareness to the understanding of the variety of human cultures.

Sociology involves the student in the systematic study of human behaviour and society.  Students find the subject interesting because we consider contemporary society and discuss issues as they happen.   Learners will gain the ability to use evidence and to arrive at reasoned judgments based on information from a variety of sources. Students will learn to organise and communicate their knowledge in a structured and organised manner.

Key questions of interest to sociologists

• Why is divorce on the increase? 
• What determines our behaviour? 
• Do our genes dictate our behaviour or is it our environment? 
• How do we explain the growth of lone parent families? 
• Are women oppressed in the family? 
• Can you imagine a society without the family? 
• Why do certain groups underachieve in education? 
• Why are some people richer and more powerful than others? 
• What would it be like to live in an equal society? 
• How much racism is there in Britain? 
• How do we explain the increase in crime? 
• What is the role of the media? 

The study of sociology includes a range of sensitive topics, which will need to be approached with maturity and empathy.

Careers

Students of sociology pursue careers in law, social work, health care, politics, business and other related professions.   All employers like their employees to be socially aware and to be able to think for themselves and these are skills that we promote within sociology.  Therefore, sociology will be beneficial to you whatever career you wish to follow.

The assessment:

COMPONENT 1: Understanding Social Processes (50%) Written Paper: 1 hour 45 mins
This component covers the following topic areas: 

• Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission 
• Families 
• Education 
• Sociological research methods 

The examination is a written assessment with a mix of short answer, structured questions and extended response questions, all compulsory. The extended response questions will require candidates to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding from across the relevant specification content.

UNIT 2: Understanding Social Structures (50%) Written Paper: 1 hour 45 mins

This component covers the following topic areas:

• Crime and deviance 
• Social differentiation and stratification 
• Applied methods of sociological enquiry 

The examination is a written assessment with a mix of short answer, structured questions and extended response questions, all compulsory. The extended response questions will require candidates to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding from across the relevant specification content.