Sociology A level

Sociology is concerned with the nature of human society, its development and the laws that govern it. This distance learning course is designed to help develop advanced skills in sociology.

Components and/or options

• Sociology A2
• Sociology AS

This course will equip you with a sound understanding of key sociological principles, offering the opportunity to acquire a range of skills and apply them in different contexts.

It will also ask you to think critically about social issues and to comment on them. Topics such as families and households, education, religion crime and deviance are all covered.

This home study A level Sociology qualification acts as a good foundation for further study or a career, not just in sociology, but also in any number of other fields.

Benefits

• Acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of contemporary social processes and social changes.
• Appreciate the significance of theoretical and conceptual issues in sociological debate.
• Understand and evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods, through active involvement in the research process.
• Develop a lifelong interest in social issues.
• Reflect on your own experience of the social world in which you live.
• Develop skills which enhance your ability to participate more effectively in adult life.

Topics include

• Unit 1: Families and households
• Unit 2: Education and sociological methods
• Unit 3: Beliefs in society; global development; mass media; power and politics
• Unit 4: Crime and deviance; stratification and differentiation; theory and methods

Entry requirements and hours of study

• A GCSE in English, history or a social science is advisable for this course.
• You should allow 150 hours of study for the AS and 150 hours for the A2, plus extra time for completing assignments.

Specification

AQA, Full A level:2190, AS:1191, A2:2191

Recommended texts

You will need to buy the following essential textbook:

AS: Sociology AS for AQA by Stephen Moore, Dave Aiken, Steve Chapman, Collins, 2008, (ISBN 9780007267774)

A2: Sociology A2 for AQA, Collins, 2009.

Coursework

No coursework. Two written exams for the AS, 1hr (60 marks) and 2hrs (90 marks). Two written exams for the A2, 1hr30mins (60 marks) and 2hrs (90 marks).