Sociology is the systematic study of human society, it explores how individuals and groups interact, how structures of society develop and change over time. It considers the many complexities of human behaviour, culture and how we are shaped by the institutions in society. Sociology helps us understand the world we live in.

The AQA sociology course aims to give students a clear understanding of key influences in society and the impact these have on members of society.

The specification covers

Education – This topic considers the role of education in society, focusing on a range of issues including socialisation, inequalities, the impact of educational institutions on both individuals and groups within society.

Families & Households – This topic explores the concept and role of family and how family structures have developed and changed. It considers a range of topics including; marriage, divorce, childhood and parenting and the influence that the dynamics within households have on individuals and groups.

Beliefs – This topic examines beliefs and religion and the influence that faith has on both individuals and societies as well as the influence of socialisation and globalisation.

Crime & Deviance – This topic tackles the complex issue of crime and the deviant behaviour that leads to crime. It considers the causes and consequences of crime and the criminal justice system as a response to crime.

Research Methods – This topic teaches pupils the research skills needed to consider sociological and societal trends. It teaches them how to design, conduct and analyse research and to evaluate the research conducted by others.

Theory – This topic considers the foundation of key sociological approaches as well as more modern approaches. Theories considered include Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and Postmodernism.

Key skills:

Studying A Level sociology allows pupils to develop key skills in

Critical thinking – sociology teaches pupils to question social norms, analyse societal issues and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Research & Analysis – pupils gain practical skills in gathering and analysing data.

Communication – pupils learn to effectively communicate their ideas and arguments in both written and verbal form.

Empathy & Cultural Awareness – the study of different cultures and societies encourages empathy and cultural sensitivity.

Structure of the Exam

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology

Paper 3: Crime & Deviance with Theory & Methods.

Each paper represents 33.3% of the final grade.

Exam Board: AQA (7192)