AS-Level/ Year 1 A-Level/ Year 2 · 2 hour written exam Short answer questions and essays 33.3% of A ... reforms AS Sociology is now a stand-alone qualification to the A level and

The Sixth Form College Colchester

2016

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Introduction

AS/A Level SOCIOLOGY (AQA) The A Level course aims to give a critical understanding of contemporary social issues and the way in which society is structured. You will have the opportunity of studying a number of different social theories, and explore ways in which they can be applied to society to help us understand it. The course encourages you to think about your own experiences and reflect upon them. We will explore questions such as:

Are we witnessing the breakdown of the traditional nuclear family? Why have girls begun to outperform boys at GCSE and A Level? How can we explain changes within contemporary society nationally and globally? How do sociologists obtain their evidence?

Entry Criteria The vast majority of our students have not studied sociology before and in our experience this has no effect on the very high level of success that our students achieve. To be successful students need to have an interest in social issues, a desire to be critical and a willingness to work hard. As each of the units is assessed by written work it is important that candidates have sound written skills. Standard College entry requirements including a minimum of: GCSE English or English Language: grade C As well as a grade B or above in at least one predominantly written based subject (English, English Language, History, Religious Studies or Sociology).

Course Content The new and exciting specification being introduced in September 2015 has two core themes running through the course: socialisation, culture and identity along with social differentiation, power and stratification. The department uses a wide variety of learning and teaching approaches including discussion, topic and assessment packs, group work, presentations and research. Students are encouraged to take an active role in lessons in order to aid their knowledge and understanding and to develop skills such as application, interpretation and evaluation which will help them to achieve their potential. The units include:

Education with links to Theory and Methods Families and Households Beliefs in Society (including globalisation and the spread of religions) or Global Development Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

The Sixth Form College Colchester

2016

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Assessment

AS-Level/ Year 1 Paper 1: Education with Methods in Context 1 hour 30 minutes examination Short answer questions and essays 50% of AS level Paper 2: Research Methods and Topics in Sociology

1 hour 30 minutes examination Short answer questions and essays 50% of AS level A-Level/ Year 2 Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods

2 hour written exam Short answer questions and essays 33.3% of A-level Paper 2: Topics in Sociology - Families and Households/Beliefs in Society or Global Development 2 hour written exam Essays 33.3% of A-level Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods 2 hour written exam Short answer questions and essays 33.3% of A-level

Further Information

There are currently nine Sociology tutors at The Sixth Form College, with approximately 700 students. A number of events will take place over the academic year:

Revision conference held prior to the June examinations Trip for A2 students in the February half term to New York Visits from Principal Examiners Revision workshops led by experienced examiners

Progression Students will be entered for the AS examinations at the end of the year. Under current government curriculum reforms AS Sociology is now a stand-alone qualification to the A level and so will not contribute to the overall A level grade where taken.

Students who wish to continue to take the A level in Year 2 will need to achieve a minimum grade of E in the AS examination and sit all A level modules in summer of Year 2. There are no re-sit opportunities for the recently reformed A level subjects.

The wide-ranging nature of the A level Sociology specification makes it ideally suited for students looking for a course that leaves open a large number of career and higher education options. Sociology has become a component on a wide range of professional courses including those for Teachers, Social Workers, Nurses, Management Trainees, Police etc. It is particularly useful for those contemplating employment in Administration, the Socio-Medical field, Business, Personnel, Teaching, Journalism, Legal field and Marketing

as-sociology-2016Sociology AS A 2016