What will I be learning?
Sociologists study society by asking questions and conducting research. It is an engaging subject that is relevant to your life now and in the future. It will interest students who enjoy ‘contemporary history’ because you have to study the very recent past as well as current day society. You will study crime, education, power, and the family. Sociology is at the root of every business, every campaign, every news story and every political movement. It is therefore a fascinating and extremely useful subject. There are five A Level units:
- Theory and Methods
- The Sociology of Education
- The Sociology of Health
- The Sociology of Crime and Deviance
- The Sociology of Beliefs
How will I be assessed?
There are three, two hour exams: Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods; Paper 2: Health and Beliefs; Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Do I need to have studied it at GCSE?
No. The Highfield School teaching team is experienced and able to support students regardless of whether or not they have studied Sociology before. Nationally, the vast majority of A-Level Sociology students have not completed the GCSE.
What careers could this lead on to?
Administration: Sociologists can reshape their communities, particularly in government and public agencies, by leading teams of researchers and social work professionals to define public policies.
Business: Sociologists research consumer trends to reveal evolving customer needs and opportunities. Sociologists also help product designers understand the overall trends shaping consumer culture in order to inspire tomorrow’s new products.
Journalism: Newspapers and media outlets employ sociologists to help understand the kinds of stories that engage readers, viewers and listeners in a particular region. Sociologists work with editors to identify the right balance between news that audiences expect and the stories that need to be reported.
Public Relations: By reviewing market research data and understanding historic trends, sociologists who truly understand the motivations of customers can effectively defuse problems in the media by responding to the public’s concerns with carefully composed solutions.
Policing: Many local authorities hire sociologists to understand the impact of tougher laws. Sociologists also help prison and probation officers determine the effects of new programmes and regulations on the prison population.
What grades do I need for this course?
An Average Point Score of a grade 4 at GCSE.
