Sociology
Sociology is the study of how society is organized and how we experience life. It has been taught in British universities since the very beginning of the twentieth century.
That pioneering work led to greater understanding in major social issues such as poverty and crime.
- A course about Modern British Society & Globalisation
- Focus on culture, politics and current affairs.
2 Key Q(s):
1: What makes British Society Work/Fail?
And
2: How does it interconnect with the Wider World?
Over 80 students at Verulam currently study Sociology, the second most popular subject at A Level.
Course Overview
Key Topics
In the first year you’ll have two main building blocks of Society
- Education
- Families & Households
In the second year study further aspects of Society including
- Criminology
- Globalisation
- Mass Media
All students also complete a module of work on Research Methods.
Assessment
Assessed by Written Exams at end of 2 Year A Level.
All Textbook & Essay Based Qs.
Home Learning
Students are expected to match their 5.5 hours of lessons with 5.5 hours of private study per week. This will be in the form of Prep Reading for Class, Parallel Study Programme, Short Qs, Essay Qs, Mindmaps and class presentations.
Extra-curricular enrichment
Stretch & Challenge
How Verulam students are stretched and challenged specifically within this subject area – department enrichment initiatives, relevant Ecco club opportunities etc.
Where can Sociology take you?
Sociology is useful in a number of other careers, like marketing, advertising, PR, journalism, law or teaching. Sociology is a great choice of subject for people who want a career in social work, nursing or medicine.
Possible degree options According to bestcourse4me.com, the top six degree courses taken by students who have an A-level in sociology are:
- Sociology • Psychology • English studies • Business studies • Law • Teaching.
How parents can support their child’s learning?
- Talking through work. Having your son/daughter talk you through their folder, how it is organised, what they are studying, what they feel confident or struggling with can be very helpful. They have folder checks and very specific guidance on what their folders should look like with targets to improve, talking through this could be very helpful.
- Helping them make time to work without distractions, particularly to keep up with the required extra reading and research.
- Radio 4 on around the house. Particularly PM and the Today Programme.
- Using the AQA Specification provided, ask your son/ daughter to talk you through the bullet points. Can they explain the concepts to you?
- Discussion really helps the understanding of Sociology. If you can get your son/ daughter talking at the dinner table it can be exceptionally beneficial for them.
- Some areas for discussion at home as a starting point; Different family types, Are husbands and wives equal today? Changes in marriage, cohabitation, divorce and parenthood. Migration, Immigration, Social policy’s and laws that affect the family, The welfare state- New policies? Proposed government changes in education, Current political situations, MP’s and their roles, School League tables, Social Class & Educational achievement, Crime and punishments, Corporate crime/ State crime, Human rights, Domestic violence campaigns, Homosexual marriage.
Useful links
Why Study A-Level Sociology – The Video – https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/why-study-a-level-sociology-the-video
AQA Student Guide – https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/sociology/AQA-7191-7192-FLYER-OE.PDF
BSA Discover Sociology – http://www.britsoc.co.uk/media/23892/bsa_discover_sociology.pdf
YouTube ‘Making the Familiar Strange’ – https://youtu.be/BU_4WnNH0Bs
Additional Info
Verulam Sociology Twitter
