Sociology

Sociology Curriculum Intent 

Students learn fundamental research skills across KS4 which are useful for studying social sciences. This gives students a foundation of sociological theory and an understanding of how sociological theory is created. They also learn how to think critically about sociological theory.

Sociology is delivered as a part of a three year GCSE course giving the students the opportunity to become familiar with essential subject specific terminology and theory which will be embedded over the three year course. 

Students study topics within sociology starting with families at the beginning of KS4. This is a topic which most students can engage with; it is accessible and the foundational knowledge of research methods ensures they can apply sociological theory and understand how research was used to create it. Education is taught after families as students can then understand the crucial role that families play when it comes to education achievement or underachievement. 

As students move into the second year of the course they will cover the crime and deviance unit, their understanding of both families and education supports their ability to fully understand the causes of crime in society. Concepts that are learnt in these topics are applicable to the study of crime and deviance. Finally at KS4, students learn social stratification. This is the ultimate topic, it is synoptic, exploring aspects of families, education and crime. Students will examine different types of inequality within society, why these exist and how they can be challenged through government policy. This allows students to develop a sense of respect and tolerance for the diversity that exists in our society today.

Implement

Staff in the Sociology department are passionate about offering an engaging, contemporary curriculum which students enjoy and excel at. We provide students with rich learning resources and revision resources to ensure engagement and enthusiasm throughout the course. The sociology department plans lessons collaboratively and offers feedback and discussion to keep the content current and alive for students. 

Formative and summative assessments are offered in line with the school assessment policy. These will model the GCSE paper to allow students the opportunity to perfect exam skills as they progress through the course. Formative assessments focus on the retrieval of specialist key concepts and key sociological theories or studies whereas summative assessments offer the chance for a more in-depth assessment of students knowledge and skills. 

Impact

Students are enriched with a wide range of sociological theory which allows them to analyse aspects of society from a sociological perspective. Students engage with current affairs such as educational achievement, violent crime and changing family structures. Upon studying sociology they are able to explain the causes and consequences of such social issues with specialist language and theory. Critical thinking is also encouraged as students challenge the effectiveness of sociological perspectives. 

Students are often inspired to study the course further at A-level, those that take the course at A-level have a strong foundation of subject specific knowledge.

Facilities

  • Specialist teaching classrooms
  • A wide range of reading material
  • Past issues of Sociology Review

Useful Links

KS4 Sociology GCSE

Board and Exam Details

AQA Sociology GCSE

Link to course specification

Course Details

Sociology is consistently popular subject at KS4. GCSE Sociology examines society and how it shapes our lives. Why social class, ethnicity and gender may be important factors in determining what qualifications you gain, what job you get and how much money you earn. Sociologists examine issues that concern us all, they examine the social world and ask questions about why things are the way they are.

The subject content consists of the following topics:

Year 9 

  • The sociological approach 
  • Social structures, social processes and social issues 
  • Families 
  • Social research methods 

Year 10

  • Education 
  • Crime and deviance 
  • Social Research Methods

Year 11

  • Social stratification
  • Revision

What skills students develop

Students will develop their understanding of how individuals are affected by groups, institutions and society. We will examine the nature of co-operation and conflict, why things stay the same and why society changes. We will expect students to reflect on their own experiences of the society in which they live and acquire knowledge and develop analytical skills. Sociology is a relevant subject which relates to everyday life, news and the world around us.

How students are assessed

Exam (1.75 hrs)

The Sociology of Families and Education

50% of the qualification

Exam (1.75 hrs)

The Sociology of Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification 46

50% of the qualification

Homework

Students will receive homework once a week. This can last up to an hour. The aim of homework at GCSE is to develop confidence with the concepts and studies taught and discussed in lessons, it will also give students an opportunity to apply sociological theory to the current affairs they see every day. 

How parents can help

Sociology is by its very essence a contemporary subject. Many of the issues being discussed in class can be linked with what is occurring in the real world. Often parents have enjoyed discussions with their children on issues such as the unfair nature of bankers' bonuses or why it is that men still get paid more than women.  If you can encourage your children to watch the news, documentaries and read a broadsheet or access the information online this will really help. You could also help test your child with some of the tricky Sociological concepts.

Extra-curricular Activities

Revision sessions will take place in the lead up to the mock exams and final summer GCSE exams. There is also a documentary discussion club which runs, giving students exposure to a wide range of social issues. 

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