Sociology

Sociology was born of the modern ardor to improve society

Albion Woodbury Small

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.

Head of Computing, Media & Social Sciences Faculty

O Rosen | orosen@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk   

Subject Lead

B Daniel  |   bdaniel@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Teachers

H O'Mahoney | homahoney@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

R Hoque | rhoque@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk        

Curriculum

KS4

Sociology is first studied at KS4 as a GCSE.

Curriculum Intent and Map

• Curriculum Map KS4
• Sociology Curriculum Intent
• Sociology Curriculum 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

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. 

Assessment

GCSE Subject Specification 

Please click through to the links to view more information on the AQA website.

Sociology - AQA Exam Board

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

• Monday lunch time KS3 sociology club

• Thursday KS5 intervention

• Monday after school KS4 intervention- there will also be other opportunities in the week

• Sixth form mentoring opportunities with KS4 sociologists- ask your teacher if you interested. 
  
  

KS5

As part of the LaSWAP consortium, Acland Burghley offers a Sociology A level.