GCSE Options -Subjects - Sociology

SOCIOLOGY

Course Structure
Entry Requirements
Future Prospects
Views from Year 10
Views from Year 11
Downloadable Presentation (PowerPoint)
Sociology Video

Teachers
Sociology Teachers:

Mrs Yarker
Miss Smith
Mr Lewis


What is Sociology?

You will spend at least 15,000 hours of your life in a classroom. Why? What are schools for?

Thousands of students attend failing schools every day.  Why aren’t schools better?

How does the media portray teenagers?

Why does poverty exist?  How does poverty affect a child's life chances?

Men commit more crime than women.  Why? Is it because of the way we encourage boys to behave?

The police are 6 times more likely to stop and search a black man than a white man. Why? Are they racist or realistic?

Studying sociology will provide you with the answers to these questions and many more about the society you live in today.

Everyone is part of society. Society has helped shape who you are and how you experience life – but how much do you understand about it?

High crime rates in our inner cities, ‘binge drinking ladettes’, boys’ underachievement in school, the effects of divorce on children, racism and the police, the effects of the media on violent behaviour… these are among the great debates of today. They are the subject of countless view and opinions, many of which are ill-informed or prejudiced, most expressed simply from personal and often very limited experience.

Text Box:

This is where Sociology comes in – because these are all SOCIAL issues. The Sociologist sets off to try and understand our human world a little better. This task is often challenging and controversial but to many it is also fascinating and rewarding.

Sociology, then, is the study of people in society.

By learning how society operates you will be learning how the world works, you will be putting your current life in context and preparing yourself for what society may have in store for you, you will gain the knowledge, analytical and debating skills to add your voice to the great popular discussions of our time in areas such as the family, education, the police/judiciary, the media, religion and politics.
GCSE Options -Subjects - Sociology

Course Structure:

This is a 100% exam course.  You will sit two exams at the end of year 11.

Year 10 topics

● What is sociology?
● Families and households
● Education
● How to carry out research

View a PowerPoint presentation here

  

Year 11 topics
● Crime and deviance
● Mass media
● Power
 ● Patterns of inequalities in modern Britain

Entry requirements

To be a successful sociology student you must:
● Be willing to express your views in class discussions, debates and presentations.
● Keep up to date with current issues by reading a newspaper or watching TV news. 
● Be able to summarise research evidence in your essays to reach a clear conclusion. 

Your commitment and enthusiasm will be rewarded with an excellent GCSE grade.

GCSE results

The Sociology department is very proud of its outstanding exam results.  
Our students perform well above national averages for AQA Sociology.

Back To Top
 
GCSE Options -Subjects - Sociology

Future prospects:

Many students who study GCSE Sociology go on to study A level Sociology in the sixth form.  It will also help with your study of Psychology, Media Studies or Politics.

In addition, Sociology is an extremely valued subject for higher education entry and future careers. Sociology students are particularly in demand for ‘people centred occupations’ and professions that demand an analytical approach based upon weighing up evidence and arguments to reach considered conclusions.

   

Hence sociology students have gone on to careers as wide ranging as media research, law, police, journalism, teaching, social and welfare work, personnel work, business analysts, civil service and local government policy making, advertising, nursing, medicine and market research.

b
 

Back To Top
 
GCSE Options -Subjects - Sociology


What do GCSE students say about Sociology?

“I enjoy sociology because we are able to express our feelings and opinions in a relaxed and comfortable environment where everyone listens to each other” Chloe

“I enjoy sociology because it makes more sense to learn about everyday stuff that will help you get on with different people and to understand how people are different to you” Liam

“People should take sociology as you learn about your culture and how different other cultures are”. Lauren

“ I enjoy sociology because I like expressing my opinion and learning properly about the outside world”. Amy

“People should take sociology because it makes you look at society differently and think outside the box” Lucy

“People should take sociology because it is interesting and Mrs Yarker is great!”Philippa

“I enjoy sociology because we discuss everything in class. People should take sociology because when you get a job you will be confident enough to speak to others and you will have a good teacher”.  Ryan

“ I enjoy sociology because it helps me understand why we do the things we do in life.” Lisa

“I love sociology because you get your views across and learn other people’s views.  You learn about society, which makes you a better person. And Mrs Yarker is the best!” Jess.

Back To Top