Sociology is the study of societies and how they shape people’s ideas, their social behaviour and their cultures and how, in turn, people interact together to shape their society.
Sociology requires you to take a step back and think about wider perspectives and aspects that affect us all.
Sociology allows us to look at theories and bring them together so that we can form our own opinions and judgements.
In sociology we look at controversial aspects such as Racism, Gender issues, Disability, Religion, Class and Globalisation.
Sociology is accepted at a wide range of Universities. An A-Level will allow you to carry out courses in Policy, Social Work, Education, The Arts, Business Studies, Health care areas, Personnel Management, Leisure and Tourism, The Legal Professions and similar areas.
Key Stage 5 Information
The subject is made up of 4 units. There are two units at AS and two at A2. This year the units being studied at AS are Acquiring culture and understanding culture. Topics covered in Unit 1 will be Families and culture and Socialisation. In Unit 2 we will study Education and research methods.
At A2 you will study Understanding power and control and understanding social divisions which includes Research Methods, Health, Crime and Social Stratification.
LHS A-Level Sociology Results 2019:
A* - A - 30.4%
A* - C - 94%
A* - E - 100%
At A level we follow the WJEC specification. Information and the full specification can be found here.
AS - Topics and Assessment
Unit
|
Assessment
|
A level weighting and marks
|
Content and question type
|
|
AS Unit 1: Acquiring Culture |
Written exam: 1 hour 15 minutes |
15% of qualification
(60 Marks)
|
Section A (15marks)
This section comprises one structured question on the key concepts and processes of cultural transmission, socialisation and the acquisition of identity.
Section B (45 marks)
This section offers a choice between two options:
-
families and households
-
youth cultures
Each option includes compulsory questions and a choice between two essay questions.
|
|
AS Unit 2: Understanding Society and Methods of Sociological Enquiry |
Written exam: 2 hours |
25% of qualification
(90 marks)
|
Section A: Methods of Sociological Enquiry (35 marks)
This section comprises one compulsory question. This will be based on stimulus material which will be a synopsis of a piece of sociological research.
Section B: Understanding Society (55 marks)
This section offers a choice between three options:
Each option includes compulsory questions based on data and a choice between two essay questions.
|
A2 - Topics and Assessment
Unit
|
Assessment
|
A level weighting and marks
|
Content and question type
|
|
A2 Unit 3: Power and Control |
Written exam: 2 hours |
25% of qualification
(70 marks) |
The questions in this section are on the theme of power. There is a choice between four options:
-
crime and deviance
-
health and disability
-
politics (for assessment in 2021 only)
-
world sociology
Each option includes compulsory questions and a choice between two essay questions.
|
|
A2 Unit 4: Social Inequality and Applied Methods of Sociological Enquiry |
Written exam: 2 hours 15 minutes |
35% of qualification
(100 marks) |
Section A: Applied Methods of Sociological Enquiry (40 marks)
One compulsory question which will require learners to design, justify and evaluate a piece of sociological research.
Section B: Social Inequality (60 marks)
Questions in this section are on the theme of social differentiation and stratification. These will include a compulsory question and a choice between two essay questions.
|
Resources
Useful Books
WJEC/Eduqas Sociology for AS & Year 1: Student Book - Amazon Link
WJEC AS Sociology: Study and Revision Guide Paperback – Amazon Link
Practice Past Paper questions. You can download some of these for free on www.wjec.co.uk or http://hwb.wales.gov.uk/
Useful Journals
Sociology Review, Phillip Allen Publishers (can be ordered through librarian).
Useful revision guides.
Parsons, (2008), AS level AQA Revision guide - Amazon Link
Webb & De Courcy, (2003), AS Sociology Do brilliantly at… Sociology, Collins. - Amazon Link
Some useful Websites/Magazines.