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Sociology

Examination Board AQA
AQA Sociology A-Level 7192

Subject Content

Research Methods

Students must examine the following areas:

  • Quantitative and qualitative methods of research; research design
  • Sources of data, including questionnaires, interviews, participant and non-participant observation, experiments, documents and official statistics
  • The distinction between primary and secondary data, and between quantitative and qualitative data
  • The relationship between positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods; the nature of ‘social facts’
  • The theoretical, practical and ethical considerations influencing choice of topic, choice of method(s) and the conduct of research.

Education

Students are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content:

  • The role and functions of the education system, including its relationship to the economy and to class structure
  • Differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity in contemporary society
  • Relationships and processes within schools, with particular reference to teacher/pupil relationships, pupil identities and subcultures, the hidden curriculum, and the organisation of teaching and learning
  • The significance of educational policies, including policies of selection, marketisation and privatisation, and policies to achieve greater equality of opportunity or outcome, for an understanding of the structure, role, impact and experience of and access to education; the impact of globalisation on educational policy.

Families and Households

Students are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content:

  • 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, cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the life course, including the sociology of personal life, and the diversity of contemporary family and household structures
  • Gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships within the family in contemporary society
  • The nature of childhood, and changes in the status of children in the family and society
  • Demographic trends in the United Kingdom since 1900: birth rates, death rates, family size, life expectancy, ageing population, and migration and globalisation.

Methods in Context

Students must be able to apply sociological research methods to the study of education.

Assessment Details

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: Topics in Sociology

  • 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

What can I do to support my child at home?

When studying Sociology at The Cottesloe School, students are encouraged to embark upon a quest for answers to questions regarding certain phenomena that exist within society, such as; ‘Why are certain ethnicities more likely to be over-represented in the criminal justice system?’ and ‘How does a modern western notion of childhood impact the notion of childhood globally?’. The main focus of Sociology is to develop  critical thinking skills in our students, encouraging them to question the ‘every day’ and dig deeply into why things are the way they are in society. Developing knowledge and awareness of correlation and causation between different aspects of society and communities is at the heart of sociological study.

The following tasks will support students’ study of A-Level Sociology;

  • Encouraging them to engage with news stories that are relevant to the subject
  • Discussing key societal trends and issues and encouraging students to think critically about these 
  • Visiting places with key sociological significance, such as the Anthropology Museum, Cambridge
  • Assisting your child with remembering keywords and concepts (these are available in electronic form from the department)
  • Assisting your child in memorising sociologists and their studies in order for students to be able to apply these in their essay writing
Recommended News Sites for Sociology Students

 

 

Books

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Napier Press; 3rd Revised edition (22 May 2015)

Teaching Staff Contact Details

Head of Ethics and Philosophy

Miss Lay - mlay@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

Teacher of Ethics and Philosophy

Mrs Redman - eredman@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk

Sociology Curriculum Intent

Intent

When studying Sociology at The Cottesloe School Sixth Form, students are encouraged to engage with complex questions concerning how society works and provide insights into the relationship between societal institutions and their influence on people. We encourage students to ask questions such as ‘What might be the causes of the increase in crime rates amongst disadvantaged young people?’, or ‘how might gender be considered a social construct?’. By exploring avenues of enquiry such as these, our Sociology students begin to question the very fabric of their understanding- the norms and values that they have been accustomed to, and aim to dig deeper and question the causes of human and societal behaviours. Students often complete the two-year course having fostered an inclusive and global way of thinking, encompassing an enquiring mind that seeks explanations of the origins of ‘everyday life.’ Through the study of research methods, students will also explore how sociologists create theories and collect empirical data regarding social phenomena.

Ethos

Using the 6Cs and the Healthy Relationship wheel adopted by the school, we promote an ethos of inclusive social, cultural and global learning. We aim to foster an environment where young adults are able to shape their own world view and engage critically with the ways that sociologists make sense of the world around us, in a supportive and nurturing environment. Students develop culture and character through their engagement in A-Level Sociology at The Cottesloe School, equipping themselves with skills they need to be considerate and conscientious members of the local and global community, whilst also developing their own strong sense of self, as they continue to grow. A-Level Sociology provides students with an invaluable pedagogy, encouraging them to understand how other people’s experience is shaped by societal institutions and personal experience.

Careers in Sociology

A Sociology degree can open doors to a wide range of exciting and fulfilling careers. Some potential career paths include:

  • Social Research: Conducting research to inform social policy and public opinion.
  • Education: Teaching Sociology at schools, colleges, or universities.
  • Government and Public Service: Working in government agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), or think tanks.
  • Media and Journalism: Reporting on social issues and current events.
  • Marketing and Advertising: Analysing consumer behaviour and trends.
  • Human Resources: Managing employee relations and diversity initiatives.
  • Law and Criminal Justice: Working as a lawyer, social worker, or probation officer.
  • Healthcare: Providing social and psychological support to patients and their families.

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