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Sociology

Linear A Level

Sociology is a lively and enjoyable subject, being the study of society and how the social world shapes our ideas, our social behaviour and our individual identities.  It’s also about how societies change by people experimenting with new ideas and identities. No prior knowledge of Sociology is needed.

Year One Linear A Level

Socialisation, culture and identity: (01)

This component introduces learners to the key themes of socialisation, culture and identity and develops these themes through the context of Youth subcultures. This option develops skills that will enable individuals to focus on their personal identity, roles and responsibilities within society and develop a lifelong interest in social issues. The following tables outline the content that must be studied. This is split into two sections, Section A and Section B.

Section A: Introducing socialisation, culture and identity

  1. What is culture?
  2. What is socialisation?
  3. What is identity

Section B: Option 2 Youth Subcultures

This option focuses on youth as an important period in the socialisation process when individuals are developing a sense of identity within their peer groups. It allows learners to explore different types of youth subcultures and the roles they may play in society.

  1. How and why are youth culture and subcultures formed?
  2. Why do young people participate in deviant subcultures?

Researching and understanding social inequalities (02)

In this section, learners are introduced to a range of methods and sources of data as well as the factors influencing the design of sociological research and the relationship between theory and methods. Learners are encouraged to consider the practical, ethical and theoretical issues arising in sociological research and to apply knowledge of research methods to the particular context of social inequalities.

Section A

  1. What is the relationship between theory and methods?
  2. What are the main stages of the research process?
  3. Which methods are used in sociological research?

Section B Understanding Social Inequalities

Within this section learners will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary patterns and trends of social inequality. Learners are able to engage in theoretical debate, explore conceptual issues and develop skills of analysis and evaluation of sociological research and evidence.

  1. What are the main patterns and trends in social inequality and difference?
  2. How can patterns and trends in social inequality and difference be explained?

Year Two Linear A Level

Debates in Contemporary Society (03)

This component engages learners in theoretical debates and how these relate to a contemporary global society. The component will develop knowledge and understanding of social processes and social change. It develops links between the topics studied in this component, the nature of sociological thought, contemporary social policy and the core themes. Contemporary and global debates are introduced through a compulsory topic of ‘Globalisation and the digital social world’ in Section A, whilst Section B explores them in more depth from a detailed study of Crime and deviance. This is split into two sections, Section A and Section B.

Section A Globalisation and the Digital Social World

  1. What is the relationship between globalisation and digital forms of communication?
  2. What is the impact of digital forms of communication in a global context?

Section B Option 1 Crime and Deviance

This option focuses on debates in contemporary society through a detailed study of crime and deviance. The social construction of crime and deviance are considered and the ways in which crime is socially distributed, explained and reduced. This option introduces a global dimension, with reference to patterns and trends. It aims to give an understanding of different theoretical approaches to the study of crime and deviance.

  1. How are crime and deviance defined and measured?
  2. What are the patterns and trends in crime?
  3. How can crime and deviance be explained?
  4. How can crime and deviance be reduced?

There will be three exam papers at the end of Year 13. Some short answer responses are required as well as essay-based responses.

Entry Requirements: As stated in the Admission Policy

Exam Board: OCR H580