Sociology
Introduction
Sociology is the study of the social world around us and how society works. Sociologists ask questions like, Why is the crime rate increasing? How has childhood changed? How do gender and social class affect educational outcomes? Is society becoming more secular or more religious?
Our A level studies follow the AQA curriculum and examinations. We focus on sociological theories and research methods, and we investigate why sociologists are interested in education, families and households, crime and deviance, and beliefs in society.
KS5
A level Sociology
Specification Code: 7191, 7192
Level: A level
Examination Board: AQA
Year 12
Curriculum
In Year 12, students will study the following topics:
- Sociological theories and research methods
- Education
- Topic option: Families and households
Assessment
All assessment takes place at the end of Year 13.
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find sociology resources.
The school uses the AQA Sociology textbooks published by Napier Press.
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.
- SharePoint Glossaries – glossaries of sociological terminology.
- Tutor2U
- TheSociologyTeacher
- Discover Sociology
Year 13
Curriculum
In Year 13, students will study the following topics:
- Sociological theories and research methods
- Crime and deviance
- Topic option: Beliefs in society
Assessment
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
Written examination – 2 hours (80 marks), 33.3% of A level
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology
Written examination – 1 hour (80 marks), 33.3% of A level
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Written examination – 2 hours (80 marks), 33% of A level
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find sociology resources.
The school uses the AQA Sociology textbooks published by Napier Press.
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 12 curriculum.
- SharePoint Glossaries – glossaries of sociological terminology.
- Tutor2U
- TheSociologyTeacher
- Discover Sociology
Extra-curricular
Students can join our Society, Law and Politics Club, which is for pupils in Years 11-13 who are interested in pursuing a career in sociology, criminology, law, politics, or the civil service.
You can find some documentaries you may wish to watch, organised by sociology topic, at this website.
These films and series are helpful portrayals of sociological theories of class, feminism, race and postmodernism:
- ‘The Hate U Give’
- ‘Austenland’
- ‘Hidden Figures’
- BBC’s ‘The Outlaws’
You may also want to:
- Sit in a café and note down the types of groups, families, and couples that come in. What different social groupings do you see?
- Visit the Isleworth Crown Court and watch a case. What crime was involved? Who were the different people in the courtroom? What kind of evidence was relevant?
- Visit the Wandsworth Prison Museum
- Investigate the Karl Marx Walking tours of London.