Course information
Sociology
Dover Grammar School for Girls - Kent
01304206625
Frith Road, Dover, CT16 2PZ
Course summary

Sociology is a part of the social sciences with its influence being seen across most disciplines. It seeks to gain an understanding of the changing nature of modern human societies. It looks at how people live, behave, and work together in groups. It asks questions about the world that we live in and tries to explain why society is the way it is. The study of Sociology A level encourages students to take a critical approach to understanding societal structures and the way they influence us. In the A-level course, we seek to answer such questions as: Why are most convicted criminals young working-class males? Why do girls do better than boys in education? Does religion still have a place in society? To what extent should sociology be considered a science? Is the family in decline or just changing? Sociology is a co-teachable subject meaning it can be one of the 3+ options by completing an As Level. During the two-year course, you will study the following units: Paper 1 Education: In this unit, students will learn about the variety of mechanisms of control and coercion the education system possesses. Such as are school exam factories produce a passive labor force or are schools maintain patriarchal structures in society. We will also look at how experiences in wider society could limit student participation. Theory and Methods: This unit is about understanding the way sociology thinks about the world and explains the human experience. Do we have freedom? Is it an illusion created by power groups? Within these questions we will investigate the best ways to research these ideas by understanding the methodology used in investigations Sociologists conduct. Paper 2 Families and Households: In this unit, we will look at the family as a whole system by breaking down the reasons for relationships in society. Are families there to help keep society stable? Are families serving a different purpose? This module gets us to see the wider issues in the family and investigate how family structures could differ from culture to culture. Media: This will give students insight into how the media works and the power it has over societal functions. This will aim to give students the chance to learn about the impact social media and other media technologies have impacted our thoughts and processes. Paper 3 Crime and Deviance: In this section, we understand the function of crime and the causes of crime in society. As sociologists we need to understand the why element to this topic – why does it exist? Why does every society experience crime and deviance? In the lesson, we investigate the reasons for increased criminality but also the reasons for victimization. Sociology is intellectually demanding and will teach you to question the world around you. Sociology is excellent intellectual training that sharpens interpretive and analytical skills, you will also learn essay techniques and how to respond to information. It is a discipline that is valued and recognized as preparation for a wide range of university degree subjects. Historically, we have had students go to Royal Holloway, Oxford Brooks, the University of Essex, and the University of Exeter. Students study sociology as a discrete subject or with other disciplines such as internal management, anthropology, or social psychology in recent years. Students can use their sociology A level to help support movement into other areas such as going on to study an apprenticeship in law. Sociology students go on to a hugely diverse range of careers from jobs in the health service, to police work, and social work, to teaching and jobs in the media.

Entry requirements

The minimum requirement is three 6 grades and three others at a 5 grade. At least a grade 4 or above in English and Mathematics. To study Sociology students are required to have achieved a grade 6 in GCSE English.

How you'll be assessed

In class, you will be involved in discussions and activities to deepen your understanding of issues and arguments. Assessment is by an externally marked examination paper for each unit. In lessons, students will complete timed assessments on the topics that they have been taught with regular termly essays. We will support student learning by modeling essay structures and guidance on how to gain the best possible marks. We also get students to complete regular retrieval quizzes which are there to test student retrieval and increase their retention of knowledge.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionSouth East
Local AuthorityKent
Ofsted RatingOutstanding
Gender TypeGirls
AddressFrith Road, Dover, CT16 2PZ