AQA A-Level Sociology – 7192
Course Leader: Amy Coates – amycoates@kba.uk
WHAT WILL I NEED BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE?
A minimum of a Grade 5 in either GCSE English Language or GCSE English Literature.
You should be interested in understanding society, human behaviour and the issues that shape people's lives. A willingness to question assumptions, consider different viewpoints, take part in discussion and develop your written communication skills will help you succeed.
WHAT WILL I DO?
Is education a way of controlling the working classes? Is crime caused by socialisation or inequality? How does the media influence our views of the world?
Sociology helps you answer these questions by exploring how society shapes our behaviour, opportunities and experiences.
A-Level Sociology is a literacy-rich, thought-provoking subject that develops your understanding of the social world around you. You will investigate contemporary issues and debates, analyse sociological theories and evaluate evidence to explain patterns in society.
The course combines the study of major social institutions with sociological research methods. You will explore how individuals are influenced by wider social forces such as family, education, social class, gender, ethnicity and the media.
Lessons involve debate, analysis of sociological studies, interpretation of data and the evaluation of competing explanations for social issues. You will develop independent thinking, critical analysis and the ability to construct well-supported arguments.
COURSE CONTENT AND COMPONENTS
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
You will explore the role of education in society and investigate why some groups achieve more highly than others.
Topics include:
- The role and functions of education in society
- Differences in educational achievement by social class, gender and ethnicity
- Relationships and processes within schools, including labelling, subcultures and the hidden curriculum
- Educational policies, including marketisation, privatisation and equality initiatives
- Sociological research methods and their application to education
- Sociological theories and debates, including consensus and conflict theories, positivism and interpretivism, objectivity and value freedom, and whether sociology can be considered a science
You will learn how sociologists investigate educational issues and evaluate the strengths and limitations of different research methods.
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology
At KBA, students study two topics: Families and Households, and The Media.
Families and Households
You will explore how family life has changed and how relationships and family structures influence society.
Topics include:
- Family diversity and changing family patterns
- Marriage, divorce and cohabitation
- Childhood and changing child-parent relationships
- Gender roles, domestic labour and power within families
- Demographic changes, including ageing, migration and family size
The Media
You will investigate the influence of the media on society, how information is presented and how different groups are represented.
Topics include:
- Ownership and control of the media
- New media and digital communication
- News selection and presentation
- Media representations of age, class, ethnicity, gender and sexuality
- The relationship between the media and audiences
- Globalisation and popular culture
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
You will investigate why crime happens, how society responds to it and why patterns of crime differ between social groups.
Topics include:
- Sociological explanations for crime and deviance
- Patterns of crime by social class, gender and ethnicity
- The relationship between crime and the media
- Global crime, green crime, state crime and human rights
- Crime prevention, punishment and the criminal justice system
- Sociological theory and research methods
You will consider different explanations for criminal behaviour and evaluate how effectively society responds to crime and deviance.
ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
A-Level Sociology is assessed through three written examinations at the end of Year 13. There is no coursework.
Each paper is worth 80 marks, lasts two hours and contributes one-third of the overall A-Level.
|
Paper
|
Content
|
Duration
|
Marks
|
Weighting
|
|
Paper 1
|
Education with Theory and Methods
|
2 hours
|
80
|
33⅓%
|
|
Paper 2
|
Families and Households; The Media
|
2 hours
|
80
|
33⅓%
|
|
Paper 3
|
Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
|
2 hours
|
80
|
33⅓%
|
You will develop the ability to demonstrate sociological knowledge and understanding, apply theories and research to real-world issues, and analyse and evaluate different arguments and evidence.
The examinations include a combination of short-answer questions and extended written responses, so clear communication, accurate use of sociological terminology and well-structured essays are important.
PROGRESSION – WHAT CAN I DO AT THE END OF THE COURSE?
Sociology develops highly transferable skills in analysis, evaluation, research, communication, critical thinking and essay writing. It complements both arts and science subjects and provides an excellent foundation for further study.
Possible progression routes include:
- Law and Criminology
- Teaching and Education
- Social Work
- Policing and Criminal Justice
- Journalism and Media
- Marketing and Advertising
- Human Resources
- Public Services
- Psychology and Social Sciences
- Politics and Social Policy
A-Level Sociology is ideal for students who are curious about the world around them and enjoy debating contemporary issues. It encourages you to question assumptions, understand different perspectives and develop the analytical skills valued by universities and employers.