OPTION: Sociology
OPTION: Sociology
GCSE - AQA
Embedded Files
Why Choose Sociology at GCSE?
Dive into the fascinating study of society with Sociology! This course offers students the chance to explore how the world works, from family dynamics to crime, education, and social inequality. You’ll develop critical skills such as analytical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and clear communication—all highly valued in a variety of careers, including social work, law, journalism, education, and public policy.
Sociology suits those curious about human behaviour, passionate about social justice, or interested in understanding the structures that shape our lives. Whether you dream of influencing change or simply want to grasp the world around you, Sociology provides the perfect foundation for success.
Annual trip - The Royal Courts of Justice
Each year, students have the exciting opportunity to visit the Royal Courts of Justice to participate in a mock legal case in an authentic courtroom setting. Prior to the trip, students are assigned roles—such as barristers, solicitors, witnesses, or jurors—and provided with details about a real-life case. On the day, they gain insights into the various roles within the legal profession through an educational session. They then re-enact the trial, presenting arguments, examining evidence, and deliberating to reach a verdict. At the conclusion, they compare their decision with the actual verdict from the historical case, deepening their understanding of the judicial process.
Content and skills taught in this subject
Content and skills taught in this subject
Families – types of family, sociological approaches to the family, rates of birth, death, marriage, divorce (and the explanations of these trends), household, demographic changes.
Education – types of schools (and their effectiveness), sociological approaches to education, government policy on education, differential attainment in schools (in terms of social class, ethnicity and gender).
Crime and Deviance – formal and informal social control, sociological explanations of deviance, government policy on crime, differences of offending rates according to social factors.
Social Stratification – life chances, how is society divided up, how do social factors impact upon your chances of success (according to social class, ethnicity, gender).
Overarching topics, going across both units.
The sociological approach – how do different sociological schools of thought view society?
Social structures, social processes and social issues – what debates are current in society? What is the difference between a social issue and a sociological issue?
Sociological research methods -
identify, describe and explain various methods and methodological issues
identify and explain the advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses of a particular method for a specific area of research
demonstrate an understanding of the process of research design for a specific area of research, including practical difficulties and ethical issues
demonstrate an understanding of the relevance and usefulness of various primary and secondary sources for a specific area of research
demonstrate the ability to interpret data presented in a variety of forms.
Delivery structure - how is the subject assessed?
Delivery structure - how is the subject assessed?
100% Examination
The GCSE Sociology course is split into 2 examined units, each comprising of two topics. These are;
Unit 1: The Sociology of Families and Education.
Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes. 50% of qualification.
Unit 2: Paper 2: The Sociology of Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification.
Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes. 50% of qualification.
Additionally research
Page updated
Report abuse