Sociology - A Level
Sociology is a diverse subject concerned with analysing human social behaviour, institutions and social processes. You will examine the development of human society from prehistoric hunter-gatherer groups to contemporary post-industrial societies, and gain an appreciation of broad trends underlying social change and the formation of the modern world.
Sociology involves the study of wealth, power, status, poverty, and social class; politics, race, nationalism and cultural identity; the family, education, religion, the media, leisure and the arts; government, social control systems and crime; international politics, development and aid.
Although the focus of the course is on contemporary society, you will have the opportunity to study non-Western and historical cultures radically different from our own.
What will I study in Sociology?
AS Units 1 & 2
The Family: What are the functions of the family and how has family form changed throughout history and from culture to culture? How has the rejection of traditional beliefs concerning marriage impacted on the role and status of men, women and children in families? How has state intervention and political movements such as Feminism shaped family life? How have our notions of childhood changed over the past century? What is the likely future of the family?
Education: Is the function of education to enlighten and educate children or to mould personalities and teach skills in preparation for the world of work? What factors lie behind the persistent social class and ethnic differences in levels of educational attainment? What effect can teachers’ interactions with students have on their motivation and success? Why are girls far outperforming boys at all levels of education?
In the AS Level you will also study how sociologists conduct research and be introduced to a variety of theoretical perspectives on the nature of society.
A2 Units 3 & 4
Beliefs in Society: Religion as a source of group identity, morality, and as an explanation of the world. The relationship between religion, magic, healing, sacrifice and the supernatural. Religion’s role in subjugating women and the working class. Fundamentalism as a conservative force and as a force for revolutionary change. The attraction of apparently bizarre religious cults and sects. Is religion a declining force or is religion undergoing a revival?
Crime & Deviance: Can criminality lead to positive social change? What are the differences in levels of criminality and type of crime committed between the wealthy and the poor? Can official crime statistics be trusted? How businesses and governments act criminally. Social class differences in court sentencing. Are women committing more crime? Does government policy toward the poor create a criminal subculture?
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed by short answer question and essay based papers – 2 in the AS year and 2 in the A2.
Do I need to have studied Sociology before?
No, but you should be broadly interested in cultural issues and social behaviour in historical and contemporary society.
Who will teach me?
Jeremy Brown has a BSc (Hons) from UCL and extensive experience of teaching and examining A Level Sociology. Jeremy is Lansdowne’s Head of Curriculum and also teaches Psychology.
Eamonn Marren MA, PGCE, is a Principal Examiner for Sociology with over 20 years experience of delivering the A Level syllabus.
Which subjects complement Sociology?
Sociology intersects with academic disciplines such as History, Government and Politics, Psychology, Economics, Philosophy and Classical Civilisation.
Which careers can Sociology lead to?
Sociology is suitable for students planning to enter a wide range of careers such as journalism, law, business, advertising, the civil service, government, social services, the City, etc.