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Thornhill College Girls' Grammar School
 Adveniat Regnum Tuum

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Thornhill College, Culmore Road, Derry
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Sociology

Teacher in charge:     Mr. B. Douglas.


A-level Sociology

Entry Requirements:

B in English – this is essential because of the amount of reading and writing involved in the subject.

What is Sociology?

Sociology involves the systematic study and explanation of human social life, groups and societies. Sociologists aim to investigate and understand the social world and human behaviour within it. They are particularly interested in understanding the ways in which society influences us and shapes our lives.

"In studying sociology you will be actively involved in exploring and asking questions about the society in which you live. Studying sociology offers you opportunities to gain a greater understanding of society and to make sense of your own experiences within it. Sociology can be both thought-provoking and challenging because it forces people to rethink some of their common sense views and assumptions."

(Wilson and Kidd, 1998)

A-level Sociology is excellent preparation for degree courses in the Social Sciences.

A Sociology degree can lead to a career in:

  • Market research;
  • Mass Media;
  • Education;
  • Human Resources;
  • Probation Service ;
  • Civil Service;
  • Social Work
Sociology combines well with English, History, Geography, Religion, and Applied Health & Social Care.

Any special requirements

Students must be interested in current affairs in order to keep in touch with recent developments. You must be committed to reading widely in the subject.
 

A-level Sociology will enable students to:

  • Acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of contemporary social processes and structures;

  • Appreciate the significance of theoretical and conceptual issues in sociological debate;

  • Understand sociological methodology and a range of research methods;

  • Reflect on their experience of the social world in which they live;

  • Develop skills which enhance their ability to participate more effectively in adult life.

 

Examples of transferable skills developed as a result of studying Sociology include:

  • Clear and logical thinking;

  • Critical evaluation;

  • Communication skills;

  • Organisational skills;

  • Problem solving;

  • Research skills;

  • Time management.

 

These people have studied Sociology. Can you name them? (Answers below)

 

Subject Content

AS-level

At AS, Candidates studying this specification will acquire knowledge of contemporary social processes and social changes. Candidates will be encouraged to develop their own sociological awareness through active engagement with the contemporary social world.

Unit 1: Culture and Identity; Families and Households; Poverty and Welfare.

Subject Content - Choice of one from:

  • Culture and Identity;

  • Families and Households;

  • Wealth, Poverty and Welfare
     

Unit 2: Education; Health; Sociological Methods

Subject Content- Choice of either:

  • Education plus Research Methods;

  • Health plus Research Methods

A2 Level

At A2, candidates will continue to focus on contemporary society but they should demonstrate a wider range and greater depth of knowledge and understanding and more highly developed skills of application, analysis, interpretation and evaluation

Unit 3: Beliefs in Society; Global Development; Mass Media; Power and Politics

Subject Content - Choice of one from:

  • Beliefs in Society;

  • Global Development;

  • Mass Media;

  • Power and Politics

Unit 4: Crime and Deviance; Stratification and Differentiation; Theory and Methods

Subject Content - Choice of either:

  • Crime and Deviance plus Theory and Methods;

  • Stratification and Differentiation plus Theory and Methods

Answers to quiz (clockwise from top left)

Dan Ackroyd (actor), Rev Jesse Jackson (politician), Saul Bellow (Nobel Prize winning novelist), Ronald Reagan (politician),  Dr  Martin Luther King (civil rights leader), Michelle Obama (First Lady of the USA), James Blunt (musician)