Sociology
Head of Department: Mr. M. McPhail
Exam Board Specification: AQA
“Why study sociology?”
Sociology is the study of society – how and why it is the way it is. It is a way in which you can find out the structures and issues that affect all of our lives through the study of education, crime, families and how people can be categorised in terms of wealth, race and power. In short, the study of sociology is the study of yourself, and the environment in which you live.
“What will I study in sociology?”
Your study will prepare you for two exams at the end of Year 11. Paper 1 will focus on the sociology of families and education, and will look at the theories and ways in which sociologists go about researching these two aspects. Paper 2 will focus on the sociology of crime and deviance and social stratification (the categorisation of people in society). As with Paper 1, students will study a range of theories and ways in which sociologists go about finding out the society in which we live in.
“How will I be examined?”
You will sit two exams at the end of Year 11, each exam lasting 1 hour 45 minutes and worth 100 marks. Each exam is worth 50% of the entire GCSE and will comprise of two sections:
Section A will have two multiple choice questions followed by a range of short (2-4 marks) and extended answers (12 marks)
Section B will also have two multiple choice questions followed by a range of short (2-4 marks) and extended answers (12 marks).
“Will Sociology be the right subject for me?”
If you are curious to know why society is the way it is, then this is a great subject for you. You will get to understand what the purpose of education is, question what crime statistics actually prove about our society and consider how and why our society groups different people according tom particular characteristics. If you are interested in know why society functions the way it does, and like to discuss a range of ideas and perspective, then sociology is the perfect subject for you.
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