Sociology
Sociology is the study of culture, society and behaviour. Anthony Giddens (2009) writes, “One of the things that’s so exciting about sociology is its constant engagement with the ever-changing social world. Sociology has a key role to play in modern intellectual culture”.
What is the course content?
SY1
We begin the course by looking at how we learn the culture of the society that we are born into. How much of our behaviour is natural and what is learnt. We will then move onto the study of youth culture, including mainstream youth and subcultures.
SY2
In order to understand culture we have to carry out sociological research; in this unit we learn how to study society. Then we investigate Education and the social interactions that happen within and outside of school which result in some people being more likely to succeed than others.
SY3
Understanding power and control involves an in depth investigation of crime and policing. We ask questions such as “why do some people commit crimes?” but we also ask the question, “Why do most people abide by the law?”
SY4
Everything that you have learnt so far during the A-level culminates in this unit. You have to design a piece of sociological research in the first part of this exam and then you will write two “synoptic” essays in one of the major areas of inequality.
How will I be assessed?
| Unit | Weighting | Title | Special Focus | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SY1 | 20% | Acquiring Culture | Youth Culture | 1 hour |
| SY2 | 30% | Understanding Culture | Education | 1 ½ hours |
| SY3 | 20% | Understanding Power & Control | Understanding Crime | 1 ½ hours |
| SY4 | 30% | Understanding Social Divisions | Social Inequality | 2 hours |
What skills will you learn?
This course will teach you many useful academic skills, you will learn to research using reputable academic channels (sources), you will learn to build upon pre-requisite knowledge and understanding but above all else the sociology A-level will teach you skills of analysis and synthesis.
What are the opportunities for progression?
Interactions between humans are complex because human behaviour is heavily influenced and governed by social, religious, and legal guidelines. A deeper understanding of these things can help you to progress in many directions; careers in law, education, advertising, media, politics, social work, psychology, hospitality and business (to name but a few) would all benefit from the acquisition of sociology A-level. Revolutionaries (Martin Luther King), civil rights activists (Jesse Jackson), actors (Robin Williams), musicians (James Blunt) have all studied sociology at degree level and even Barack Obama himself has delivered sociology lectures.
What are the entry requirements?
5 A*-C grades including English and Maths.
Educational visits/enrichment opportunities
There are no compulsory trips on the sociology A-level however; I intend to arrange at least one off-site activity in each year of study and I recommend that all students attend. In the first year we might visit an independent school to gain a deeper understanding of class inequalities within education. In the second year of study I have always taken my students on a unique and privileged trip inside Dartmoor Prison (HMP Dartmoor). There are three prisons on the island and I will be working with my contacts to arrange a similar experience for my sociology students at the Isle of Wight Sixth Form.
Textbooks will be available in the Learning Resource Centre but you may want to buy your own.
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