Sociology
Level | GCSE |
Exam Board | AQA |
Website | www.aqa.org.uk |
Why study Sociology?
Sociology is exciting, interesting and relevant to students’ lives. It encourages a questioning approach to topical issues and helps students to think for themselves about Britain today.
This is a ‘living subject’ that helps students analyse and better understand the society in which they live.
The new Sociology GCSE is a linear course, which will all be assessed by two formal exams at the end of Year 11.
What will we study?
Topics we cover include how far a person’s social class influences their life chances, the causes of crime, and changes in the family such as the increase in lone parent families and why there is a gap between male and female achievement at school.
- During lessons there are a variety of tasks, including exam style questions
- Homework involves learning key words and definitions, practising exam questions including essay writing and revising for assessments
Unit 1 | Unit 2 |
· Families · Education |
· Crime and Deviance · Social Stratification |
How will your work be assessed?
Students study GCSE Sociology throughout Year 10 and Year 11. Two exams - Paper 1 and Paper 2 - are taken in the summer of Year 11. Both exam papers are 1 hour 45 minutes.
Exam Papers
- Paper 1: Section A - Families, Section B - Education (50% of overall grade)
- Paper 2: Section A - Crime and Deviance, Section B - Social Stratification (50% of overall grade)
There are a range of short and extended (essay) responses required on both exam papers. It is best suited to students who enjoy discussion, current affairs and extended writing.
Post-16 Choices
Sociology department also offers A-Level Sociology. Many GCSE students choose to continue studying Sociology in the Sixth Form.
It is a very useful subject for numerous jobs; it develops skills such as the ability to work with and understand people that is important for many college courses, for example Public Services.
Staff Contact
Mrs S Skitt - sskitt@oxtedschool.co.uk