Head of Department: Mrs O'Connor

Normal 'A' Level course requirements to include Grade C or above in English. The course involves, data analysis and essay writing.

Courses and Careers

The skills required to successfully complete this course are the ability to analyse source material and to critically evaluate evidence and data, good communication skills - that is an ability to put forward constructive and perceptive ideas, and to listen to the views of others.

Some Higher Education and Further Education courses have a strong socilogical content for example Media Studies, Health and Social Care, Law, Psychology, Anthropoligy, Politics, Business Studies, Journalism, Economics, Education and History. Jobs which are helped by a knowledge of Socilogy include Advertising, Marketing, Market Research, Personnel Management, Nursing, Teaching, Police, Journalism, Catering, Hotel Management and Social Work.

Duration

One year to AS Level and two years to the full A2 awared. The new AS qualification could be taken as a 'stand alone' in Year 12 or Year 13.

Course Outline

Sociology at 'A' Level is the study of society and how the people in society live their lives. Assessment is by written examinations.

The topics studies include:

• Mass media and its affect on our lives
• Social class - who are the upper, middle and working classes?
• Gender Issues - what does it mean to be a 21st century man or woman?
• Ethnicity - the pressures of a multi-cultural society
• Culture and The Family
• Peer group pressure - why do gangs form?
• Crime and Deviance - gang crime

For A2 candidates these areas are studied in more depth. Assessment is by examination.

Students Comments

"I love discussing all the issues, although we do tend to get very wound up!"

"Sociology makes you think, really think, about why we are here and what the purpose of our life is".

"I enjoyed the games, speakers and trips, but the essays were hard work!".