Why study Sociology?

Sociology is about society – the social behaviour of people and the impact social institutions can have on their behaviour. Sociology looks at the ways in which groups of people organise themselves and come to be as they are. In this subject you are challenged to really understand how society works. In offering such a challenge, Sociology will help you develop a critical awareness of how the world really operates and why.

What are the entry requirements?

You just need to meet the College’s entry requirements to do Sociology (you do not need to have GCSE Sociology).

What will I study and how will it be assessed?

AS Level

One year course consisting of 2 modules, the provisional course offering for 2009-10 is as follows:

AS Module 1: Families and Households
This introductory unit will encourage you to think critically about how society operates and question assumptions about home background. For example, is the phase of childhood in Western societies becoming shorter? Do youngsters become part of the adult world too quickly? Are children more likely to be involved in serious crime in the current century?
Additionally, why do some individuals choose alternative living arrangements? You will study collective living arrangements on the Kibbutz in Israel and co-housing in Denmark.

AS Module 2: Education and Research Methods
In education, you will look at a range of factors that sociologists claim can affect an individual’s performance at school. These factors include social class and ethnicity. You will also examine the reasons why girls are outperforming boys at both GCSE and A-Level.
Sociologists use different research methods to develop their theories about society. So in this module you will learn all about methods such as covert observation, which could be used to study criminal gangs or football holligans.

Assessment
Examinations for AS Sociology (all taken in the first year)

January AS Module 1: Families and Households
(1hr) 40% of AS, 20% of A-level.
May AS Module 2: Education and Research Methods
(2hrs) 60% of AS, 30% of A-Level.

A2

A2 Module 3: Beliefs in Society
This module invites you to look at a range of issues including whether religion is a dying force in society, and has science taken over as the main body of knowledge which provides us with answers. You will examine the reasons why people join religious cults and sects. Why do some people see them as an attractive way of life and others think they are quite sinister?

A2 Module 4: Crime and Deviance
Crime and Deviance contains a wide range of topics for you to discover and examine. It has everything from the debate about the media’s role in creating moral panics about child killers to the devastating effects race riots can have on communities. You will also see why official statistics on crime don’t always tell the whole story.

A2 Module 4: Theory and Methods
Unit 4 presents you with an array of competing theories, all offering a unique view on society. Classics like Functionalism do battle with the newer theories like Post Modernism. But it’s up to you to decide who comes out on top! You will further develop your sociological understanding by learning to link the theories with the methods.

Assessment
Examinations for A2 Sociology (all taken in the second year).

January A2 Module 3: Beliefs in Society (1hr 30mins) 20% of A-Level.
June A2 Module 4: Crime and Deviance & Theory and Methods (2hrs) 30% of A-Level.

Where might it lead me?

Sociology is an academically demanding subject regarded as an acceptable A-Level by universities. A qualification in Sociology can lead to a wide variety of careers. Some of the more popular choices include:

Law, the Police, teaching, journalism, personnel management, nursing and marketing.

Come and find out for yourself how enjoyable Sociology really is!

For more in-depth information about the Sociology course click here.