This course reflects ‘Integral Elements’ and ‘Core Themes’ as defined by the AQA.

Integral Elements:

• Sociological theories, perspectives and methods
• The design of the research used to obtain data under consideration, including its strengths and limitation

Links between areas studied should be drawn out.

Core Themes:

Students must study the following:

• Socialisation, culture and identity
• Social differentiation, power and stratification

The themes should be understood and applied to a particular substantive area of Sociology. These themes should be interpreted broadly as threads running through many areas of social life.

In addition student must understand the significance of conflict and consensus, social structure as social action and the role of ‘values’.

You must sit three examinations and submit a piece of coursework:

Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods (4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3)

Questions:

50 marks = Education: short answer and extended writing

20 marks = Methods in Context: Extended writing

10 marks = Theory and methods: Extended writing

Exam length: 2 hours, 80 marks, 33.3% of A-Level

Paper 2: Topics in Sociology

Questions:

Section A: one from option 1: 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3 or 4.2.4

Section B: one from option 2: 4.2.5, 4.2.6, 4.2.7 or 4.2.8

Section A: 40 marks, extended writing

Section B: 40 marks, extended writing

Exam length: 2 hours, 80 marks, 33.3% of A-Level

Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory Methods

Questions:

50 marks = Crime and Deviance: Short answer and extended writing

30 marks = Theory Methods: Extended writing

Exam length: 2 hours, 80 marks, 33.3% of A-Level

Compulsory Content

4.1 Education with Theory and Methods

4.1.1 Education

4.1.2 Methods in context

4.1.3 Theory and methods

4.3 Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

4.3.1 Crime and Deviance

4.3.2 Theory and Methods

Optional Content

4.2 Topics in Sociology

Option 1

4.2.1 Culture and Identity

4.2.2 Families and Households

4.2.3 Health

4.2.4 Work, Poverty and Welfare

Option 2

4.2.5 Beliefs in Society

4.2.6 Global Development

4.2.7 The Media

4.2.8 Stratification and Differentiation

The AQA A-Level Sociology qualification is gained once all 3 exam papers are successfully completed. These exams are administered by the AQA and assessment centre details will be included with your course, as well as practice papers so that you are more than prepared for your assessments. You will need to contact your local examination centre to work through your coursework requirements.

In addition, there will be a number of tutor marked assessments (TMAs) to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the course materials, with the tutor sending comments to guide you through any areas of potential difficulty, as well as a range of self-assessments that are indicators that you understand the materials as you work through them. These are for your own information, and do not need to be shown to your course tutor.

Paper based pack

This course is currently only available in paper-based format.

We will send a study pack to you by courier, including your course materials and a study guide to help you through the student process.

Your study guide is crammed full of tips and information to help you get the most out of the learning experience, student skills, techniques for writing your assessment answers and instructions for submitting your TMAs online for marking by your specialist tutor.

Your tutor marked assessments are only accepted online, rather than by post.

Our A-Level courses come with tutor feedback and support by email for 24 months. They will mark your TMAs and provide valuable guidance through any trickier parts of the course whenever you need it. You will also receive a study guide to help you with all aspects of studying, essay writing and general student skills.