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Sociology
Sociology explores how humans are socialised and contribute to society. We investigate all aspects of society; considering the experiences of individuals, groups, societies as a whole and globalisation. Sociology students should have an inquisitive and open mind. As well as looking at theoretical perspectives, students will learn about the ways in which sociologists carry out research
Our aim in Sociology is to enable students to be able to comprehend a wide range of sociological theory with the ability to critically analyse them. To improve their understanding of sociological concepts and how they play a role in shaping society it is important that the students broaden their reading from their textbook. Students should complete extra reading throughout their course that gives detailed examples of sociological theory at work in real life
A level Sociology comprises three exam papers
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods
2 hour written exam, 33.3% of A-level, 80 marks
- Education – Students will explore the role and function of the education system, investigating the educational achievement of different groups, examining educational policies and evaluating their impact.
- Methods in Context – Students will learn how sociologists have conducted research within the field of education and carrying out practical education-based research of our own.
- Theory and Methods – students will compare and contrast the different views found in sociology; exploring and applying these to the topic of education.
Paper 2: Topics in Sociology
2 hour written exam, 33.3% of A-level, 80 marks
- Families and households: students will investigate the changing patterns in families, particularly surrounding marriage, divorce, and cohabitation; gender roles in the family; the nature of childhood and how this is changing.
- Beliefs in society: students will discuss the significance of religion in the modern world; investigate different religions, religious organisations, and religious movements, explore the relationship between different social groups and religion.
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
2 hour written exam, 33.3% of A-level, 80 marks
- Crime and Deviance– exploring who commits crime and identifying patterns in current crime figures, the different types of crime, and other issues surrounding crime, such as prevention, punishment, and the role of the criminal justice system.
- Theory and Methods – comparing and contrasting the different views found in sociology; exploring and applying these to crime.
Why you should consider this course
Sociology is a great choice of subject for people who want a career in social work, nursing or medicine. But the subject is also useful in a number of other careers, like marketing, advertising. PR, journalism, law or teaching. The Sociology A Level course helps students develop a number of new skills:
- How to use evidence to support your arguments
- How to investigate facts and use deduction
- How to put over your point of view fluently
- How to work as a team to achieve results
- How to take responsibility for your own learning
Future Careers:
Sociology gives students the knowledge and skills suited to a number of different career options. The British Sociological Association lists specific career routes, which the study of sociology leads to.
This list can be found here: https://www.britsoc.co.uk/what-is-sociology/sociologist-careers.aspx
A Level Results 2023
Congratulations to the Year 13 students on achieving
56% grades A* - C Biology
67% grades A* - C Chemistry
36% grades A* - C Physics
Best of luck in your future pursuits and well done on all the hard work
A Level Results 2022
Congratulations to all A Level students
66% of students achieved A* - C
Best of luck in your future pursuits and well done on all the hard work
Wider reading books
General Sociology & Sociological Thinking
Sociology: A Graphic Guide by Richard Osborne & Borin Van Loon
Visual and engaging intro to key theorists and concepts—great revision or starter text.
The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology by Kerry Ferris & Jill Stein
A lively, example-rich textbook that brings theory to life through case studies and real-world data.
The Sociological Imagination by C. Wright Mills (classic)
Tougher, but useful for students aiming for A—explores how personal troubles connect with public issues.
Education
Excellent Sheep by William Deresiewicz. Critique of the education system—especially useful for evaluating meritocracy and the function of education.
The Class Ceiling by Sam Friedman and Daniel Laurison. Explores how class continues to shape success—great for internal vs external factors in education.
Families and Households
All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership by Darcy Lockman. Examines gender roles and the division of labour—excellent link to dual burden and expressive roles.
The Way We Never Were by Stephanie Coontz. Debunks myths about traditional families—perfect for historical comparisons and social policy.
Crime and Deviance
The Secret Barrister by The Secret Barrister. Explains how the justice system works and often fails—great for labelling theory, state crime, inequality.
Punishment and Modern Society by David Garland .Links Foucault, Marxism, and modern control—ideal for students interested in theoretical debates on punishment.
Criminology: A Very Short Introduction by Tim Newburn. Excellent crash course in types, causes, and consequences of crime.
Beliefs in Society
Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton. Explores the social function of religion even in secular contexts—good for functionalism and postmodernism.
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. Provocative atheist perspective—helps students understand secularisation and critique of religion.
When Religion Becomes Evil by Charles Kimball. Analyses religious extremism—useful for new religious movements and fundamentalism.
Fiction with Sociological Themes
Small Island by Andrea Levy – race, migration, identity
1984 by George Orwell – surveillance, control, Marxism/Foucault
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – gender, patriarchy, religion
Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman – youth crime, race, urban life
White Teeth by Zadie Smith – multiculturalism, identity, social change
Useful Links
Websites and social media
- For general knowledge information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news
- For useful news and specific sections on education and the family guardian.co.uk
- The most recent government statistics can be found here statistics.gov.uk/default.asp
- For the latest education policies education.gov.uk
- Recent education research www.suttontrust.com
- sociology.org.uk – sociology website designed for students at GCSE and A Level
- For higher level students; Sociology Review (copies available in the library and through your teachers)
There are a number of useful textbooks. The sociology department has a number of books which you may use after school. A short list to get you started;
- The McDonaldization of Society, Geroge Ritzer Chavs, Owen Jones
- The Spirit Level, Wilkinson and Pickett
- Living Dolls, Natasha Walter
- Criminology: the essentials, James Treadwell
- The Fall of Public Man, Richard Sennett
- Teach Yourself Postmodernism, Glenn Ward
Twitter feeds to follow:
- @TheSocReview – Up to date contemporary and empirical evidence
- @rssellhaggar – Sociology teacher who posts lots of useful articles
- @SociologyinPics – What it says on the tin – cartoon pictures linked to sociology
- @BrowneKen – Publisher of sociology text books, tweets lots of useful articles
- @britsoci – The British Sociological Association – latest research
- @ons – Office of National Statistics
- @jrfemma – Joseph Rowntree Foundation, UK social research charity
- @theipaper – Quick accessible news
- @ippr – Institute for Public Policy Research
- @bbcquestiontime – weekly debates around current affairs
- @BBCnews – BBC news
- @SocMobAPPG – All part parliamentary group, investigating social mobility
Reading List
You are assigned AQA A Level Sociology: Book 1 and Book 2 by Rob Webb et al but you may also choose to use any of the following text books as well:
- Sociology for AQA Volume 1 and 2: 2nd Year A Level by Ken Browne
- AQA Sociology for A Level Book 1 and 2 by David Bown and Laura Pountney
- AQA A Level Sociology Student Book 1 and 2: 4th Edition by Steve Chapman
Revision guides:
- Succeed at A Level Sociology Book One by Robb Webb and Keith Trobe
- Succeed at A Level Sociology Book Two by Robb Webb and Keith Trobe
A/A* extension;
- Sociology Themes and Perspectives by Michael Haralambos and Martin Holborn
- Sociology by Anthony Giddens
- “Dead White Men and Other Important People: Sociology’s Big Ideas” by Fevre and Bancroft
- Other interest
- Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class by Owen Jones (2010)
- The Establishment: And How They Get Away With It by Owen Jones (Paperback – 2015)
- Social Class in the 21st Century by Mike Savage (2015)
- The Sociology Book (Big Ideas) by Alexandra Beeden (2015)
- Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner (Paperback – 18 Jun 2007)
Topic specific reading and watching list:
| Topic | Books | Films/TV |
|---|---|---|
| Education |
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| Family |
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| Beliefs |
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| Crime and Deviance |
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