Sociology

Course Title: Sociology (8192)
Exam Board: AQA
Qualification: GCSE

About the course
Sociology helps students develop a wide range of knowledge and understanding about society, and how sociologists study and understand its structures, processes and issues. Sociology is exciting, interesting and relevant to students’ lives.  By studying sociology, students will develop transferrable skills including how to investigate facts and make conclusions, develop opinions and new ideas on social issues, and analyse and better understand the social world. The GCSE is fully examined, with no coursework. Students are encouraged to question evidence and issues and develop their critical and evaluation skills. There is a smooth progression from GCSE to A-level Sociology.

Across the GCSE the students study the following: 

• Unit 1: Families; Education; Sociological Theory; Methodology 
• Unit 2: Crime and Deviance; Social Stratification; Sociological Theory; Methodology 

How it is assessed
Each unit is of equal weighting and assessed by two separate examinations on different dates. 

Unit 1: Families and Education  
Written paper- 1hr45 minutes. Students will answer a range of questions on all three topics including 1 mark multiple choice questions followed by a range of short responses (2, 3 and 4 mark short answers) and extended responses (12 mark essays). For both topics students will need to answer questions on the relevant areas of social theory and methodology in relation to the family and education.  

Unit 2: Crime & Deviance, Social Stratification and Social Theory & Methodology  
Written paper- 1hr45 minutes. Students will answer a range of questions on all three topics including 1 mark multiple choice questions followed by a range of short responses .  For both topics students will answer questions on relevant areas of social theory and methodology in relation to crime & deviance and social stratification.