Sociology
- Interested in people’s behaviour in Britain and the world?
- Question how things work in the social world around us?
The study of Sociology provides you with alternative ways of looking at society and examines how people interact as individuals and in differing social groups within Britain and the world. Sociology helps develop a keen understanding of how society works, giving you a better knowledge and the means for changing and improving it.
Students will gain a detailed understanding of contemporary social issues and changing aspects of social life, with a particular emphasis on sociological theories/research methods in relation to the topic areas of Education, the Family, Beliefs held by people and Crime and Deviance.
There are three units in total
- Education with Theory and Methods
- Topics in Sociology: Families and Households and Beliefs in Society
- Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods
The course comprises a varied range of teaching and learning methods; these include teacher led activities, group work, use of IT, student presentations and also draw on a range of current media, including webcasts, podcasts, twitter, online journals, film and radio.
The study of sociology at A level enables students to have a deeper understanding of how key institutions in society operate and what effect they have on groups. This can be on an individual level but mostly at a social level affecting government policies, family size, marital relationships, crime rates, religious rates, gang subcultures and people’s belief systems.
Those that have studied sociology have found it useful when combined with other social science subjects and feel that it has contributed towards their having a more empathetic understanding of the social issues of today.
This subject can be studied singularly at university or, more popularly, combined with another subject. Applicants for apprenticeships will also find it useful for a better social understanding. Traditionally, students intending to pursue careers in social work, teaching, police work, law, local and national government, journalism, nursing, midwifery, social research, youth work, business and any occupation that involves working closely with people from different social groups will benefit from sociological study.
Enrichment activities include visits to student conferences, educational centres, university open days and external speakers.
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