Sociology AS and A Level

Summary: Course Code: S0705-S0755-S2813 Course Length: One year for AS and two years for a full A Level Full Description:

Sociology is the study of society using a range of different perspectives. We look critically at how different features of society work, such as the family, the media and education, opening ourselves up to new ideas and questioning our own experiences. There is really no right and wrong in Sociology, only different points of view, and critical thinking is encouraged.

Sociology will enable you to question social organisation, understand people’s experiences in different social positions and social groups and become more articulate and fluent in expressing your ideas and opinions.

Students come to Sociology from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a range of different experiences and work with a subject specialist with a real commitment and belief in the value of Sociology. This makes for lively and stimulating sociological discussion and debates. Classes include using topical visual material, news articles, interactive textbooks and more.

Sociology is an academically rigorous subject, combining theoretical perspectives and real world problems. To succeed, you will need to enjoy reading and writing, should have a keen interest in society and social issues and should be prepared to question common sense understanding. You will learn to compare different ways of understanding society so should be open to different arguments.

Assessment is by modular exams in the form of data response papers.

Sociology goes well with other social sciences and humanities subjects and is a good subject for a range of occupations such as medicine, policing and social work.

Entry requirements:

• Five GCSEs at grades A*-C including English
• A GCSE average points score of at least 5.0 (see page 16 for details of how this is calculated)
• You do not need to have studied Sociology before, but if you have, you will need to have a GCSE at grades A*-C

Please contact the Advice Shop for details of costs and start dates.

Please note that although the information given is believed to be correct at the time of publication, course information, costs where applicable and attendance details may change.