Sociology

Sociology at Whitcliffe Mount Business and Enterprise college is very popular and taught successfully both at GCSE and A-Level. The department uses a range of teaching styles and learning experiences and aims to broaden the students understanding of the world around them as well as achieving good exam grades. The subject is taught by Mr Melvin and Mrs Hunjin (Head of Department).

What is Sociology?
Sociology is a living subject and draws heavily on contemporary material.

It is a Social Science and it looks at society, people and their behaviour in a systematic way. Sociology is about learning to understand the world around us in an informed and an objective way.

Sociology at GCSE

The course followed at Whitcliffe Mount is the AQA Syllabus 3192. The main content is:

• What is Sociology?
• Family
• Education
• Social Differentiation
• Poverty and welfare state
• Power and politics
• Social control and deviance
• Sociology of work
• Coursework - individual study

A-Level Sociology

Who is the course for?

Students do not need to have studied the subject at GCSE level to pursue it at A-Level. The course is for any student who wishes to develop an interest in and understanding of society (together with the necessary GCSE requirements). Sociology is an academic and an intellectually demanding subject and, therefore, it requires rigorous research and copious amounts of reading - it's not a 'soft' option!

Sociology can be successfully combined with most other AS/A level subjects with arts or science subjects.

A General Introduction

At Whitcliffe Mount we follow the AQA Syllabus 5191. The A-Level examination will consist two of parts: an Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and a second part called A2. AS and A2 each make up 50% of the full A Level.

Candidates may achieve an A Level by taking 6 assessment units (3 for AS and 3 for A2). It is envisaged that candidates will take 3 units at the end of their first year of study plus A2 at the end of their second year. An AS qualification can be qualification in itself, as well as a sound basis for progression on to full A-Level.

Aims of the course

As and A-Level courses based on this specification should enable candidates 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 method;
• Reflect on their own experience of the social world in which they live;
• Develop skills which enhance their ability to participate more effectively in adult life.