What is Sociology?
Sociology is the fascinating study of human society, social institutions, and social relationships. Over two years, you will explore how our lives are shaped by the world around us, examining everything from changes to the family, educational and inequality, the impact of social media and why deviant acts go punished at not others. The course is taught through engaging discussions, analysis of contemporary case studies, and critical evaluation of social theories.
Why study Sociology?
By the end of the course, you will have gained a deep understanding of social structures and the ability to think critically about the complex issues facing modern society. Sociology tackles “big” questions about power, identity, and justice that are visible in the news every day. It develops high-level skills in research, analytical writing, and empathy and as a result, it is highly valued by universities and employers in sectors like heath, social care, law, criminal justice, human resources, and public policy.
Is Sociology right for you?
Do you actively seek out and enjoy watching news content? The ideal Sociology student is someone with an inquisitive mind who enjoys debating current affairs and questioning “common sense” assumptions. If you have an interest in social justice, history, or psychology, or if you simply enjoy people-watching and wondering why, this course is for you. Strong reading and writing skills are essential, as the course involves engaging with complex texts and building persuasive arguments.
What will you study?
- Education
The role of schools in society and why some social groups, by class, gender or ethnicity, perform better than others - Families and households
How family structures have changed, including the rise of diverse family types and the changing role of women - Theory and methods
The frameworks sociologists use to gather and understand data, from covert observation to large-scale surveys - Crime and deviance
Why people commit crimes, how the media portrays criminals, and how society attempts to control behaviour - Media
How media ownership influences the information we consume, how the media represents gender, ethnicity and age, and whether audiences are easily manipulated - Theory and themes
Marxism, feminism and postmodernism, whether sociology is a science, and whether it should influence social policy
What happens outside lessons?
We work with a range of external agencies including the criminology department at Teesside University with guest speakers visiting college to highlight new and emerging work within the criminal justice system. We also liaise with domestic abuse charities complimenting our work on the dark side of the family.
“I’m so glad I chose A level Sociology. It really helped compliment my Psychology and English Language A levels. Sociology showed me the bigger picture, how things like class, gender, and the media shape our lives. Sociology really inspired my Extended Project Qualification on endometriosis, teaching me research theory and methodology. This head start on how to research properly will make moving on to study Sociology at university much easier. If you’re curious about how the world around you works, you’ll love it.”
Ellie, Year 2
Where can Sociology take you?
Social work and teaching
Journalism and media
Criminology and the police force
Health and social care
Human resources and marketing
Academia and social policy
What subjects go well with Sociology?
Psychology: case study overlaps including media violence, research methods and crime explanations.
History or Politics: understanding the context of social change and the influence of political thinking on media content and social policy.
English literature or Religious studies: exploring themes of identity, ethics and beliefs.
Geography: some concepts overlap including globalisation, transnational corporations, as well as quantitative data tools and analysis.
What are the entry requirements?
- General requirements: Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
- Subject specific: An average GCSE score of 4.5. Preferably grade 4 in GCSE English literature, history or religious studies.