Sociology
Head of Faculty: Ms A White, The Green School for Girls
Sociology will give you a deeper insight into the world around you and open your eyes to the social issues, problems and inequalities which exist in the contemporary UK
It will enable you to develop your knowledge about society, the experiences of different social groups and social problems such as rising crime rates.
It involves studying societies and the way that they shape people's behaviour, beliefs, and identity. Sociology enables us to make sense of the rapidly changing world that we live in. Perhaps most fundamentally of all, Sociology enables us to understand ourselves and our position within society.
How will it be assessed?
Sociology A-level, two-year linear course. Examining board: AQA.
Total of three papers with equal weighting.
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods, 2 hours (33.3%)
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology, 2 hours (33.3%)
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods, 2 hours (33.3%)
Where will it lead?
Sociology complements other Social Science and Humanities subjects as well as working well with Health and Social Care or Business. It can be taken by those wishing to balance a Science or Humanities curriculum with a Social Science.
As an A-level subject Sociology teaches you many transferable skills that are essential in any chosen career path. It allows students to develop their analytical and evaluative skills preparing them well for higher education and many Sociology students go on to study the subject further at University. A degree in Sociology can also lead to many different areas of work such as Healthcare, Marketing, Law, Social Work, Research and Teaching.
Enrichment opportunities
Students have a range of opportunities including participation at conferences, trips, and visiting speakers.
Recent opportunities have included a talk at the school by John Berkow, speaker of the House of Commons, visits to the Old Bailey and BFI film festival and attendance at the St Mary’s university annual conference on human trafficking.
Entry requirements
Grade 6 in GCSE English plus grade 6 in GCSE Sociology or other Humanities subject.
Recommended reading
- ‘Chavs’ by Owen Jones.
- ‘The Spirit Level’ by Wilkinson and Pickett.
- ‘Criminology: The Basics’ by Sandra Walklate.
- ‘Living Dolls’ by Natasha Walter.
- ‘The Sociological Imagination’ by C. Wright Mills.
- ‘Capital’ by Karl Marx.
- ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
- ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell.
- ‘Gang Leader for a Day’ by Sudhir Venkatesh.