Sociology
Overview
Have you ever considered to what extent an individual is shaped by society? Or to what extent does our social class background affect our life chances? Or our gender? You’re not the only one. Sociology is the study of how society is organised and how we experience life. Sociologists have conducted much ground-breaking research in major social issues such as poverty and crime. If you become a Sociology student you will not be provided with quick answers but what you will discover is how to think about these issues for yourself.
Sociology studies how society works. It will help you to understand how individuals fit into a wider social network and encourage you to question beliefs about society which you may have previously taken for granted. Sociologists are interested in why society works in the way that it does and the extent to which our behaviour and opportunities can be shaped by our social class, age, gender and race.
Topics covered
Sociology is taught according to the four main examined units (with research methods included in each unit).
Foundation concepts are covered in year 9 within an introductory course during the first half-term, leading to application of theories and concepts throughout the four main units of Families, Education, Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification.
Topics covered:
Theory: Functionalism; Marxism; Feminism; Postmodernism; Interactionism
Methods: surveys; interviews; observation; experiments; primary and secondary data
Families: functions of families; family diversity; domestic roles and power in couples; childhood; marriage, cohabitation and divorce; impact of social policies
Education: functions of education; differential educational attainment relating to social class, gender and ethnicity; impact of social policies
Crime and Deviance: types of crime; explanations for crime and deviance; punishment; patterns of crime relating to gender, class and ethnicity
Social Stratification: social stratification and differentiation; different views and explanations of social class, gender and ethnicity; wealth, poverty and welfare.
Assessments
You will sit 2 exams, each exam lasts 1 hour 45 mins, is out of 100 marks and is worth 50 % of GCSE
Both exams have 2 sections:
Section A has two multiple choice questions followed by a range of short and extended responses.
Section B has two multiple choice questions followed by a range of short and extended responses.
FAQs
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the study of how society is organised and how we experience life. It is about people and how they live their lives.
Why should I study Sociology?
Through a blend of research methods GCSE Sociology aims to broaden your mind by helping you to see the world from multiple points of view. This will give you a different perspective on human society and challenge you to examine and analyse society in new and thought-provoking ways.
You will develop your analytical, assimilation and communication skills by comparing and contrasting perspectives on a variety of social issues, constructing reasoned arguments, making substantiated judgements and drawing reasoned conclusions. By studying sociology, you will develop transferable skills including how to investigate facts and make deductions (important in a world of ‘fake news’ and alternative facts’), develop opinions and new ideas on social issues (such as ethnic and gender inequality) and better analyse and understand the social world (a world in which they will be playing a key part in)
Is Sociology a science?
Yes, but it is a social science. This means it is not a natural science like Biology or Chemistry so it is more similar to Psychology.
Are Sociology and Psychology the same?
No, they are similar as they are both social sciences about the study of people. However, Sociology is a social science that focuses on groups of people and their methods of social interaction – as families, nations, companies, and so on. Psychology is a social science that concentrates on the thoughts and behaviours of individual people.
Why are Science and English important for Sociology?
Sociology is a rare subject in which scientific and written skills must combine. While it is a Science and so is studied scientifically, we also need to be able to write essays about theory and develop an argument about the nature of human behaviour. Therefore, while you don’t need you to know the parts of an atom or analyse a phrase from a text, you need to use the transferable skills you’ve learnt. Therefore, if you are successful in year 8 English and Science you’ll be in a good position to excel in GCSE Sociology.
What other GCSEs does it combine well with?
As Sociology builds so many skills, it combines well with most GCSE subjects. Developing an analytical style of writing will help you with other essay subjects and the Research Methods topics will help with scientific subjects.
How is GCSE Sociology assessed?
The GCSE course doesn’t have any coursework so is purely assessed through exams at the end of year 11.
Do I need to study GCSE Sociology to study it for A-Level?
No. The A-Level is designed so that you can pick it up when you go to college or sixth form. Having said that, the GCSE course will give you a foundation in how Sociology is studied and some of the core theories in the subject.
Where can the study of Sociology lead?
The study of Sociology can lead you anywhere in terms of university study and careers. The theory that you learn will assist you in any situation that you have to deal with people and I can’t think of a single career that doesn’t require some interaction with people! It could take you into the Police and probation services, Local and central government, Social worker, Charitable, counselling and voluntary organisations, Public relations, journalism and communications, Media and marketing to name but a few.