AS Sociology

Why study Sociology at GCE?

Sociology guides teachers and students towards the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of key sociological issues and debates. The WJEC specification is designed to encourage the development of higher order skills such as analysis and evaluation. Students will be challenged to demonstrate their ability to use their sociological knowledge appropriately in the context of the demands of the questions. The emphasis on skills makes this Sociology an excellent vehicle for the development of transferrable capabilities which could be utilised by the student in both academic and professional arenas alike. Questions will allow students to respond in non-prescriptive ways, to develop and demonstrate their "sociological imagination" through their commentary on sociological theories and evidence.

If you enjoyed studying literary subjects at GCSE level, and wish to develop a critical viewpoint on society, Sociology is the subject for you!

Entry Requirements

Students studying AS/A2 level Sociology must have achieved Grade B in English at GCSE level.

What do you study?

All units require the learner to demonstrate essential skills developed through their study of sociology; that is, the ability to show their knowledge and understanding of key concepts and issues in the context of sociological theory and methodology. Learners are also expected to select, interpret, apply and evaluate their knowledge and understanding in a range of theoretical and practical contexts.

The following concepts and theoretical issues will be covered across the specification:

• social order
• social control
• social change
• conflict and consensus
• social structure and social action
• the role of values
• the relationship between sociology issues and contemporary social policy.

Learners will also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of methods of sociological enquiry and the relationship between theory and methods. They will also be expected to apply and evaluate this knowledge and understanding to a range of related methodological issues.

Learners will study concepts and theoretical issues through two themes:

1. socialisation, culture and identity
2. social differentiation, power and stratification.

These themes will be covered across all units although there will be greater emphasis on the first theme in the AS units and on the second theme in the A2 units.