ENGLISH & SOCIAL SCIENCES
A-Level
SOCIOLOGY
REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE
3 You are actively concerned about the world around you and
want to do something useful and constructive within it.
3 Sociology can give you some knowledge and further help you
acquire the analytical tools to develop it on your own.
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE
3 You want to study ethics and in particular the Hindu religion in
depth.
3 You want to tackle the greatest philosophical theories and
ideas.
3 You will become an enlightened thinker being able to
contribute to the ethical debates of the greatest minds.
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
Year 1 (AS) – Hinduism in depth, philosophy of religion (including
the arguments for the existence of God) and religious ethics
(including natural law and utilitarianism).
Year 2 (A-Level) – Hinduism in further depth, miracles, religious
language, meta-ethics and free will and determinism.
HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
Year 1 (AS) - three exams
Year 2 (A-Level) - three two-hour exams .
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE
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strong academic discipline and ability
an enquiring, critical and reflective approach
ability to work independently
minimum GCSE grade 4 or above in English
GCSE Religious Studies (either full or short course) is not
essential but would be helpful
Year 1 (AS) – Socialisation and Culture, Families and
Households, Education, and Methods of Sociological Enquiry.
Year 2 (A-Level) – You will also study Power and Stratification,
Crime and Deviance. Each topic is underpinned with
sociological perspectives based on the work of key theorists.
Some of the issues we look at include: What is culture? Why do
working class pupils get worse exam results than middle class
pupils? Why do males commit more crime than females? How do
sociologists conduct research?
HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
AS - two written exams
A-Level - three written exams
Your progress will be rigorously monitored through a range of
written assessments, tests and progress reviews.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE
• ability to construct logical and critical arguments using proven
sociological knowledge
• ability to articulate arguments effectively in class discussions
and written assessments
• very good command of English
PROGRESSION
Sociology provides a strong intellectual background for
students considering careers in the police, probation service,
journalism, anthropology, social work, teaching, law and any
other career where you will have to deal with people from
different social backgrounds. Sociology combines well with
many subjects like English, Law, Politics, Media Studies, Histo ry
and Business Studies.
PROGRESSION
Students go on to university and a variety of careers including
teaching, social work, public services, caring professions and
jobs within the private sector.
PRIESTLEY EXTRA
Annual RS and Philosophy conference trip to Manchester to
engage with the esteemed Dr Peter and Charlotte Vardy.
External speakers who share their experiences and bring
religion to life.
PRIESTLEY EXTRA
Sociology students have enjoyed excursions to London and
New York in recent years.
www.priestley.ac.uk 01925 415415
[email protected]
A-Level
RELIGIOUS STUDIES