A Level Sociology

Course content:
Nick Abercrombie justifies Sociology “because we take our everyday world for granted – it is simply there – we do not typically question it or ask why it takes the form that it does...” (2004). Hence, “the Sociologist is someone concerned with understanding society in a disciplined way...a person intensively, endlessly, shamelessly interested in the doings of men (and women)” (Peter Berger, 1963).

So in studying topics at AS level such as:

• • Family (how we learn social rules- what happens if we don’t?; the ‘warm bath’ versus the dark-side and overloaded electric circuit; whether the cereal packet family is normal and ideal)
• Education (does education empower or control? does everyone achieve regardless of class, age, gender, ethnicity and region?; how do labels affect achievement?
• Methods – how do we know that? What’s the evidence; how did they do the research? Is there any sort of bias? Do the conclusions really follow from the evidence? Who paid the researcher to study this topic? Does theory determine evidence (top down) or does evidence affect theory?

What’s it like studying Sociology?
I aim for blended learning using a variety of printed and electronic resources underpinned by tactile, role play, debating, mind-mapping, bouncing question activities. The subject can make you angry, surprised, intrigued or supported.

What kind of essays do A level Sociologists get to write?

• To what extent are we a child-centred society
• Examine the role of pupil subcultures in explaining differential educational achievement
• Assess the extent to which practical, ethical and theoretical considerations affect a sociologists choice of method

Quotation from a student
“Doing this subject has opened my eyes. I never thought I’d get so excited about how common sense is not what we think it is” (Farzana Panchbhaya)

Biography of Gill Boocock
18 years of A level Sociology teaching with 11 years working as an assistant examiner. Brand new to BSix in September 2008 – with a mission to enthuse a passion for Sociology. My mantra is sociological ‘knowledge is power’ and...’power is knowledge’ (Michel Foucault) meaning that...I’ll let you unpack this one!

Recommended reading

• Sociology Review journal – for up to date research
• ‘Guardian’ (Society page, every Wednesday) – contemporary moral panics and government policy
• www.s-cool.co.uk – for topic specific background arguments
• www.socionet.net - for an overview of dead and alive Sociologists
• Introducing Sociology (Osborne & Van Loon) - overview in cartoon format
• AQA Sociology (Newbold, Peace, Swain & Wright) – the textbook

Click here to download printable pdf version