Sociology
Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.
C Wright Mills
Sociology is a relevant and contemporary subject that develops students’ understanding of themselves and the society that they live in. Sociologists work in areas such as education, social policy, law, media, private enterprise and the research industries.
Teachers
Elizabeth Collins | ecollins@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk
Bhawani Daniel | bdaniel@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk
Aaliyah Hassan | ahassan@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk
Hanna O'Mahoney | homahoney@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk
Curriculum
Curriculum Intent and Map
Y10
Students will be taught the topics in Paper 1 outlined in the AQA specification
Autumn term
Introduction to Sociology
An introduction to the key sociological terms and concepts, with an introductory look at the role of research methods.
Revision and modular exams
Spring term
Sociology of the family
A sociological examination of the issues facing contemporary families and households in Britain such as family diversity, changes in relationships, divorce and the debate regarding the decline in the nuclear family.
Sociology of education
The structure of education in Britain, the role of both formal and informal education in society, as well as focusing on differential achievement and the effects of class, gender and ethnicity on educational outcome.
Revision and modular exams
Summer term
Sociology of education continued
Examining the usefulness of sociological approaches to research through active participation in a research project.
Paper 1 Revision and GCSE mock exam
- 10 Autumn 2 MTP
- Y10B Sociology Autumn 2 New MTP
- Y10D Sociology Autumn 2 MTP
- Y10D Sociology Spring 1 MTP
Y11
Students will be taught the topics in Paper 2 outlined in the AQA specification
Autumn term
Sociology of crime and deviance
An investigation to the social construction of crime. Students will examine a range of sub-topics within this debate including data on crime, the differential treatment of social groups and the usefulness of sociological explanations of the causes of crime.
Revision and modular exams
Spring term
Examining a variety of social inequalities in Britain including social mobility, poverty, changes to the stratification system, differential treatment of social groups and the role of the law in addressing these inequalities.
GCSE Revision and Paper 2 mock exam
Summer term
Paper 1 and Paper 2 revision until GCSE exams.
Y11 assessment revision information
Assessment
|
Unit |
Exam or controlled assessment |
Percentage |
|
Paper 1: The Sociology of families and education |
Exam: 1 hour, 45 minutes |
50% |
|
Paper 2: The Sociology of crime and deviance and social stratification |
Exam: 1 hour, 45 minutes |
50% |
GCSE Subject Specification
Please click through to the links to view more information on the AQA website.
Sociology - AQA Exam Board
| https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/sociology/specifications/AQA-8192-SP-2017.PDF |
Useful websites
- AQA
- Sociology Online
- Sociology Central
- tutor2u.net/sociology
- Crash Course Sociology on YouTube
- UK Feminista
- BBC News Family & Education
- theguardian.com/society
Suggested reading
An ‘Introduction to Sociology’ by Polity Press by Ken Browne and the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx or the Sociological Imaginations by C Wright Mills.
It is also useful for students to have a reasonable understanding of current affairs and news. It is therefore advisable that they watch the news and when possible, read a broadsheet newspaper.
Things to see and do
Reports on the Black Lives Matter movement and inequalities exposed by the national response to COVID-19.
Enrichment opportunities
- Tuesday Sociology drop-ins
- Extended research projects
- Monday intervention sessions
KS5
As part of the LaSWAP consortium, Acland Burghley offers a Sociology A level.