A Level Sociology (AQA)

A Level Sociology

Dates Available

• Week 1: Monday 25 March – Friday 29 March
• Week 2: Monday 1 April – Friday 5 April
• Week 3: Monday 8 April – Friday 12 April

Boards

AQA 7192

Length of Course

5 full-day sessions

Students are required to sit three compulsory units in order to achieve the A level qualification. 50% of the content for the full A level qualification will be covered in the AS (reformed) course. The topics to be covered will be based on demand
on a first come first served basis. Sufficient material will be covered in the revision course while taking into account the needs of individual students. Attention will be focused on the key assessment objectives of the examination and students will be helped to develop both their understanding of the key sociological issues and their examination technique. The topics for revision are listed below.

Education and Methods in Context
Different explanations of the role played by the educational system in society and of the differential educational achievement of social groups based on social class gender and ethnicity; education policy since 1945 to the present day is also analysed to put into perspective the structure of the education system today. This topic goes on to examine the research methods used by sociologists studying education and the number of issues involved. The strengths and limitations of different quantitative and qualitative methods are considered as are the various sources of data; the theoretical, practical and ethical considerations that guide research are also examined.

Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
Explanations of crime, deviance, social order and social control, the social distribution of crime and deviance by ethnicity, gender and social class. Globalisation and crime in contemporary society; the media and crime; green crime; human rights and state crimes. Crime control, surveillance, prevention and punishment, victims, and the role of the criminal justice system and other agencies.

Sociological Theory
Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories, the concepts of modernity and post-modernity in relation to sociological theory. The nature of science and the extent to which Sociology can be regarded as scientific, including the relationship between theory and methods, debates about subjectivity, objectivity and value freedom. The relationship between Sociology and social policy.

Research Methods and Topics in Sociology:
Beliefs in Society
The study of ideology, science and religion, the relationship between social change and social stability, and religious beliefs, practices and organisations, including cults, sects, denominations, churches and New Age movements. The relationship between different social groups and religious beliefs and practices. The significance of religion in the contemporary world, the nature and extent of secularisation, globalisation and the spread of religions.

Sociology of the Media
The study of the effects of new media such as the internet and social media on society. A look at the ownership of the media and what counts as news in modern/ postmodern society. Has globalisation meant that the media are turning the world into a ‘global village’ with societies becoming less culturally distinct? And how media images affect behaviour.

N.B. The revision of the option modules depends on tutor availability.