Sociology

Specifications

Entry Requirements

Grade 6 or better in a GCSE Humanities subject or Grade 6 GCSE English.

Course Content

The course covers a wide range of topics relating to how society works, or should work. The four main areas are Education, the Family, Beliefs and Crime and Deviance. During the course you will also be developing practical research skills, by designing, carrying out and analysing your own sociological research. Sociology is for you if you want to explore and understand society. Why do some people do well at school and others don’t? Why do some people have children and others don’t? Why do some people join cults and others don’t? Why do some people commit crimes and others don’t? Also if you enjoy debating and evaluating social theory and indicating strengths and weaknesses the course gives a lot of weight to those skills. Sociology can make the world around you “come alive” and every day there will be examples for you to onsider. You will never see society the same again!

Assessment

Written examinations including source material and essays.

There are various long essays over the three papers and

this makes the course particularly suitable to those who

enjoy extended writing.

Progression Routes

Sociology develops a number of skills that are transferable and useful in a variety of careers. Analysis of evidence, evaluation and essay writing skills develop as do research skills. Sociology can directly lead you into higher education courses such as Law, Social Policy/Politics or Anthropology. Many areas such as Business, Marketing, Journalism, Social Research, Teaching, Management Consultancy, HR and Public Relations all require skills learnt in Sociology.