Sociology

Intent

The intent of the Sociology curriculum is to enable pupils to participate in our interconnected world with understanding and humanity, and the higher level skills needed for the knowledge-based economy. Through the study of Sociology, pupils will examine social phenomena that affect people’s lives in profound ways. The course is designed and delivered to nurture thoughtful and motivated young people, who can act responsibly as active citizens, and who believe in their ability to change their community for the better. At both Key Stage 4 and 5 the Sociology curriculum challenges pupils to look beyond appearances and set aside their own personal beliefs to enable them to grow in compassion and kindness. It empowers pupils with intellectually challenging ideas and concepts and essential skills of critical thinking. We encourage pupils to make mistakes, and learn from them, so they succeed in being resilient and courageous.

The Sociology Department

  • TBC

The curriculum is sequenced logically from a broad Year 9 curriculum that enables pupils to build a sociological vocabulary, via an introduction to how sociologists study society and sociological theory, through to A Level where pupils are challenged to debate the relative values of different theoretical perspectives and how sociology can be applied to enable social change. Each topic makes synoptic links to previous content, allowing pupils knowledge to grow sequentially. For example, when studying crime and deviance, the impact of socialisation in the family on antisocial behaviour is analysed, this creates clear building blocks for effective learning.

Pupils will gain a holistic and critical appreciation of Sociology through use of a range of teaching strategies that promote independent, pupil-led learning and active learning, such as well-structured debates and discussions and practical activities to deepen pupils understanding and enjoyment, whilst building core skills. From year 9 to Year 13 a key focus of the curriculum is active engagement in Sociological research and pupils will complete independent research tasks, solidifying their research methods skills. Pupils will also have the opportunity to apply their understanding to current events and topics in the real world. Extra-curricular activities on offer to pupils, to enhance their personal development, include a criminology conference, where pupils can immerse themselves in the most recent sociological research, and a field trip to understand the social context of key studies. We hope pupils leave with deep Sociological knowledge and understanding, as well as strategic skills such as the ability to interpret different sources of data and weigh up the value of evidence, which are necessary for success in a broad range of careers and in Higher Education.

Subject Content

Key Stage 4

Eduqas GCSE Sociology

Course Content and Assessment

Sociology is the study of society. Through the examining both the historical and contemporary issues in families, education, crime and social stratification, students will have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to understand these issues and the methods used to research them.

The specification used by Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is the Eduqas GCSE Sociology specification. Although this specification 100% exam based, students will have several opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills through doing their own sociological research and writing up their findings like true sociologists do.

Paper 1

  • Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission
  • Families
  • Education
  • Sociological research methods

Paper 2

  • Social differentiation and stratification
  • Crime and deviance
  • Applied methods of sociological enquiry
Eduqas GCSE Sociology Specification

Sociology Learning Journey (KS4)

Sociology Learning Journey

Key Stage 5

AQA A Level Sociology

Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behaviour, patterns of social relationships and of social interaction.

Sociological approaches form the basis of all that will be taught and the approaches will be applied to topics on education, research methods and crime and deviance.

You will gain a greater understanding of the roles and function of the education system, you will examine how to use qualitative and quantitative methods of research and gain a greater understanding of crime, deviance, social order and social control.

There will also be an opportunity to study additional topics in sociology including families, culture and identity and global development to name a few.

The qualification carries UCAS points and if it is taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning then it is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements for many courses. It will support entry to many higher education courses, depending on the other qualifications learners have taken. The qualification can also support progression to employment directly or via an Apprenticeship.

Course Content and Assessment
  • Paper One: Education with Theory and Methods – You will explore relationships and processes within schools, the significance of educational policies and explore the role and function of the education system. This is a written exam. 2 hours Externally Assessed
  • Paper Two: Topics in Sociology – This is a written exam where you will be expected to foster a critical awareness of contemporary social processes and change, and draw together the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt in different aspects of the course. 1 hour 30 Externally Assessed
  • Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods – You are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of crime and deviance, social order and social control, the social distribution of crime and deviance by ethnicity, gender and social class, including recent patterns and trends in crime, globalisation and crime in contemporary society; the media and crime; green crime; human rights and state crimes. This is a written exam 2 hours, Externally Assessed
AQA A Level Sociology Specification

Sociology Learning Journey (KS5)

Sociology Learning Journey

Remote Learning

Year 9 Remote Learning Resources

Year 10 Remote Learning Resources

Year 11 Remote Learning Resources

Year 12 Remote Learning Resources

Year 13 Remote Learning Resources