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Sociology

This section of our website is currently being updated and will be fully published by the October half term.

Warning: this subject could change your life!

Sociology is an exciting, challenging and immensely enjoyable A-level subject. Studying sociology requires you to see the world in an entirely different way. Sociology is meant to upset all our preconceptions and our narrow, partial views, and to encourage us to challenge ideas. Through Sociology you will be encouraged to analyse human behaviour, to understand the influences of gender, and to investigate topics such as crime and deviance, the media, poverty, family life and methods of social research.

Sociology offers exciting teaching, plenty of discussion and excellent examination results both at AS and A2 level. Sociology is highly regarded by universities and colleges. Sociology is accepted by universities for a wide range of courses, from medicine, law and personnel management to journalism, academic and market research and sports science. In recent years A-level sociology students have gone on to study at many leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.

Subject Leader: Mr S Wilson (swilson@fortpitt.medway.sch.uk)

Curriculum Content

Exam Board: AQA

You will be assessed by end-of-module examinations lasting one hour and fifteen minutes (1 hour, 15 minutes). There are three modules in Year 12 and three modules in Year 13. We study the following topics:

Year 12

We follow the AQA (6191) Sociology Specification and we study the following units:

  • AS Module 1: Families and Households
  • AS Module 2: Education or Wealth, Poverty and Welfare
  • AS Module 3: Sociological Methods

Year 13

We follow the AQA (6191) Sociology Specification and we study the following units:

  • A2 Module 4: Power and Politics or Religion
  • A2 Module 5: Sociological Theories and Methods
  • A2 Module 6: Crime and Deviance (NB: this is a synoptic module)

There is no coursework requirement for Sociology, although you can choose to do a coursework project instead of Modules 3 and 5 by negotiation with your teacher.

What happens in lessons?

We in the Sociology department value your opinions and ideas. You will be encouraged to contribute towards discussion. We use a wide variety of teaching methods and resources, from up-to-date Sociology textbooks to contemporary film, documentaries and other stimulus materials. You will be encouraged to work individually, in pairs and in groups on a wide variety of activities. We aim to prove that learning is fun.

What are the examination results like in Sociology?

We pride ourselves on achieving excellent examination results – most often well in excess of those typically achieved in other grammar schools. We will work hard to ensure that you achieve the best possible grade in this subject.