Sociology explores the way in which society works, it is the systematic study of the way people live and behave. Students will develop a wide range of knowledge and understanding about society, and how sociologists study and understand its structures, processes and issues.
Sociology is exciting, interesting and relevant to students’ lives. Both the Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 programmes of study encourage students to take a questioning approach to evidence and issues, thus developing their critical, evaluative skills.
Key Stage 4
AQA GCSE Sociology – Course Overview
Term 1a (Autumn 1) |
Term 1b (Autumn 2) |
Term 2a (Spring 1) |
Term 2b (Spring 2) |
Term 3a (Summer 1) |
Term 3b (Summer 2) |
|
Year 9 |
Paper 1 – Studying Society (Sociological Methods) This unit will explore the distinctiveness of the sociological approach to the study of society. Learners will gain an understanding of social structures, social processes and will consider a range of contemporary social issues. Throughout the unit, learners will explore the significance of the sociological research process and consider a range of methodological tools available to sociologists. This unit also includes a practical element, in which learners are invited to participate in a sociological research project. |
Paper 1 – Families and Households This unit will explore definitions of ‘family’ and will consider the presence of diverse forms of the family in Britain today. Learners should understand that an individual might live in many different family situations during a lifetime; and will be able to explain important changes that are taking place in family structures. Learners will also explore the range of roles and authority relationships that may exist within the family. This unit will also consider key sociological approaches to the study of the family. |
||||
Year 10 |
Paper 1 – Education This unit will focus on a range of aspects of Education including; the development and structure of the education system; current debates associated with influences on educational achievement; the role and function of education in contemporary society. Learners will also explore education as a political issue and will consider why key education reforms have been made and be able to evaluate such reforms. |
Paper 2 – Crime and Deviance This unit will explore a range of sociological considerations with regards to the study of crime and deviance including; the social distribution of crime; how individuals are encouraged to conform to societal expectations and laws; a range of different sociological explanations of criminal and deviant behaviour; the significance of criminal and deviant behaviour for victims, communities and society as a whole. |
||||
Year 11 |
Paper 2 – Social Inequality Learners will consider the nature of different forms of stratification in society and will describe and explain the ways in which life chances are influenced by differences in wealth, income, power and status. Learners will be able to describe and explain the relationship between such inequalities and social factors such as class, gender and ethnicity. The unit will also consider different sociological explanations of poverty and will enable learners to critically evaluate these explanations. |
REVISION |
Assessment:
The course is assessed via external examination – comprising of two exam papers (each worth 50% of the qualification) to be taken at the end of Year 11. Each examination is one hour and forty five minutes in length.Paper 1 includes the following topics; Families & Households and Education. In this examination all questions are compulsory and methods questions are included in relation to each topic.
Paper 2 includes the following topics; Crime & Deviance and Power and Social Inequality. In this examination all questions are compulsory and methods questions are included in relation to each topic.
Key Stage 5
Course Aims – Learners will:
- Acquire a knowledge and a critical understanding of contemporary social processes and social changes
- Appreciate the significance of theoretical and conceptual issues in sociological debate
- Understand and evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods
- Develop skills that enable them to focus on their personal identity, roles and responsibilities within society
- Develop a lifelong interest in social issues
AQA A-Level Sociology – Course Overview
|
SCLY1 – Families & Households |
SCLY2 – Education and Sociological Methods |
|
SCLY3 – Mass Media |
SCLY4 – Crime & Deviance and Sociological Theory & Methods |
|