A-LEVEL SOCIOLOGY

During this A-Level Sociology course you will education, crime and deviance, culture and identity as well as beliefs in society and global development. Upon successful completion of the exam and practical assessments (as administered by AQA) you will have achieved an internationally recognised AQA A-Level Sociology.

This course reflects ‘Integral Elements’ and ‘Core Themes’ as defined by the AQA.

Integral Elements:

• Sociological theories, perspectives and methods
• The design of the research used to obtain data under consideration, including its strengths and limitation

Links between areas studied should be drawn out.

Core Themes:

Students must study the following:

• Socialisation, culture and identity
• Social differentiation, power and stratification

The themes should be understood and applied to a particular substantive area of Sociology. These themes should be interpreted broadly as threads running through many areas of social life.

In addition student must understand the significance of conflict and consensus, social structure as social action and the role of ‘values’.

You must sit three examinations and submit a piece of coursework:

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods (4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3)

Questions:

50 marks = Education: short answer and extended writing

20 marks = Methods in Context: Extended writing

10 marks = Theory and methods: Extended writing

Exam length: 2 hours, 80 marks, 33.3% of A-Level

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods (4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3)

Questions:

Section A: one from option 1: 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 or 4.2.4

Section B: one from option 2: 4.2.5, 4.2.6, 4.2.7 or 4.2.8

Section A: 40 marks, extended writing

Section B: 40 marks, extended writing

Exam length: 2 hours, 80 marks, 33.3% of A-Level

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory Methods

Questions:

50 marks = Crime and Deviance: Short answer and extended writing

30 marks = Theory Methods: Extended writing

Exam length: 2 hours, 80 marks, 33.3% of A-Level

Compulsory Content

4.1 Education with Theory and Methods

4.1.1 Education

4.1.2 Methods in context

4.1.3 Theory and methods

4.3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

4.3.1 Crime and Deviance

4.3.2 Theory and Methods

Module 5: Production

Optional Content

4.2 Topics in Sociology

Option 1

4.2.1 Culture and Identity

4.2.2 Families and Households

4.2.3 Health

4.2.4 Work, Poverty and Welfare

Option 2

4.2.5 Beliefs in Society

4.2.6 Global Development

4.2.7 The Media

4.2.8 Stratification and Differentiation

The AQA A-Level Sociology qualification is gained once all 3 exam papers are successfully completed. These exams are administered by the AQA and assessment centre details will be included with your course, as well as practice papers so that you are more than prepared for your assessments. You will need to contact your local examination centre to work through your coursework requirements.

In addition, there will be a number of tutors marked assessments (TMAs) to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the course materials, with the tutor sending comments to guide you through any areas of potential difficulty, as well as a range of self-assessments that are indicators that you understand the materials as you work through them. These are for your own information and do not need to be shown to your course tutor.

Online

The course is primarily an online course using a Learning Management System (LMS).

The online course has many features that cannot be printed such as embedded videos, forums and interactive tests.

The course includes Tutor Marked Assessments which you access and submit through the online system.

Our A Level courses come with tutor feedback and support by email for 24 months. They will mark your TMAs and provide valuable guidance through any trickier parts of the course whenever you need it. You will also receive a study guide to help you with all aspects of studying, essay writing and general student skills.