Sociology

 Curriculum Intent

Sociology is about challenging us all to look again at what we take for granted.  It is about questioning everyday explanations and understandings, peeling away layers of meaning, and digging deeper to find hidden motives, causes and consequences.  “Things are not always as they may seem” (Berger). 

In sociology, we try to help students develop what Berger calls the ‘sociological consciousness’.  Over 2 years, students will:

  • Develop their critical enquiry skills
  • Gain a deeper theoretical understanding of society
  • Explore and evaluate the impact of globalisation on various aspects of society, such as on crime, education, poverty & inequality and the media
  • Challenge taken for granted ideas and question official ‘truths’ seen in the media
  • Develop their essay writing skills
  • Learn how to construct arguments and how to apply relevant examples and ideas to questions
  • Become more inquiring and inquisitive, better able to think for themselves

Exam Information

AQA

Sociology is a linear A Level.  Students are assessed at the end of Year 13.  They have to sit 3 exams of 2 hours each on all their learning over 2 years.

 A Level: 3 papers, each 2 hours long, each worth 33.3% of students’ A Level.

Paper 1:  Education with Theory & Methods

Paper 2: Culture & Identity plus the Mass Media

Paper 3: Crime & Deviance with Theory & Methods

Staff Information

NamePosition / ResponsibilityE-Mail
Mr B FergusonSubject Leader for Politics and Sociologybferguson [at] imberhorne [dot] co [dot] uk