Sociology

We would expect students to have met the expectations for entry to 6th form and to have a grade 5 in a relevant humanities subject. We welcome conversations with individual students about their suitability for the course. 

A-Level Sociology will help you to make sense of society and explore issues that impact everyone; from gendered roles within the family to the causes of crime and deviance. You will develop a critical approach to understanding issues around crime, the family, education, identity, and much more.  

Sociology is a great choice of subject for anyone interested in a career in teaching, government, policing, social work, and law. It also combines well with other humanities subjects such as Government and Politics, History, RE, and Psychology. 

Course Content: 

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods 

  • The role and function of the education system 

  • The differences in educational achievement by social class, gender, and ethnicity 

  • Pupil identities and subcultures 

  • The marketisation of education 

  • The hidden curriculum 

Key Discussion Questions: Why do girls achieve higher grades than boys on average? How do teachers’ assumptions about gender and ethnicity shape students? Are schools preparing students for life in a multi-cultural society? 

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology 

Families and Households 

  • Relationships within the family 

  • Changing patterns of marriage and divorce 

  • Gender roles and domestic labour 

  • The nature of childhood 

Beliefs in Society 

  • Cults, sects, and New Age movements 

  • The extent of secularisation 

  • The relationship between social groups and religious beliefs and practices 

  • Science and religion 

Key Discussion Questions: Why have marriage and birth rates declined? Does the family support the patriarchy? Is there gender inequality in the home? Is religion becoming less influential? Is religion a source of empowerment or oppression? What role does religion play in global conflicts? 

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods 

  • The difference between crime and deviance 

  • Patterns and trends in crime 

  • Distribution of crime by ethnicity, gender, and social class 

  • The media and crime 

  • Human rights and state crime 

Key Discussion Questions: Are men and women treated differently by the criminal justice system? Is crime positive for society? How effective are prisons at reforming offenders? Does the media cause moral panics?