Sociology (KS5)

A Level Sociology at St Wilfrid’s

Subject Intent

Sociology helps students understand how society works and why people behave the way they do. From education and families to crime and religion, it explores the structures and inequalities that shape our lives. Through debate, evidence, and theory, students learn to think critically, write analytically, and view the world from different perspectives.

The course is ideal for anyone curious about current issues like social class, ethnicity, gender, and the role of institutions. It builds strong academic and personal skills relevant to a wide range of future pathways.

Course Overview

The course covers major themes and institutions in society, viewed through sociological theory and real-world research.

Year 1 Topics:

• Education – class, gender and ethnicity in achievement; government policies; the role of education.

• Families and Households – changing family types, roles within families, childhood, demography.

• Research Methods – how sociologists study society, including methods in the context of education.

• Theoretical Approaches – functionalism, Marxism, feminism, and postmodernism.

Year 2 Topics:

• Crime and Deviance – explanations of crime; class, gender and ethnicity in offending; globalisation; media and crime.

• Beliefs in Society – religion, secularisation, ideology, science, and social change.

• Theory and Methods (advanced) – including positivism vs interpretivism, value freedom, sociology as a science.
  (The school may substitute Beliefs in Society with another optional topic depending on cohort needs.)

Assessment Overview

Paper 1 – Education with Methods in Context – 2 hours – 80 marks – 33.3%
Paper 2 – Topics in Sociology (Families and Beliefs) – 2 hours – 80 marks – 33.3%
Paper 3 – Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods – 2 hours – 80 marks – 33.3%
All papers include a mix of short-answer and extended writing questions that assess both knowledge and evaluation.

Homework & Independent Study

• Regular timed essays and peer/self-marking using mark schemes.

• Knowledge organisers, flashcards, and retrieval tasks for key studies and theorists.

• Wider reading on current social issues, news, and sociological research.

• Practice applying methods to real-world scenarios and debates.

Enrichment Opportunities

• Debating contemporary issues such as crime, gender roles, or class inequalities.

• Visits to courts, universities, or guest speakers from sociology-related careers.

• Support for EPQ and university applications (especially social sciences or humanities).

• Extended research projects or mini-investigations using real data.

Where Can Sociology Take You?

Sociology supports a wide range of degrees and careers, including:

• Sociology, Criminology, Psychology, Politics, Social Work, Education, Law, Journalism, and Human Resources.
  It helps students develop skills in critical thinking, essay writing, research, communication, and social awareness—valuable in almost every profession.