
Psychology
Course Overview Psychology is the science of human behaviour and experience; Psychologists use scientific methods to try to understand and explain ou…
Full course details
Course Overview
Sociology is the systematic and scientific study of society and its constituent parts (including the family, the education system, the workplace, mass media and its various religious, political and legal institutions). It focuses on how society operates and how individuals and groups act and interact within it.
You will examine society’s key institutions and the ways in which they affect and are affected by different groups of people. This course also explores and explains the huge and decisive impact social class, gender, ethnicity and various other group memberships have upon every aspect of our everyday lives. Importantly, Sociology differs from other forms of comment on society, such as those expressed in journalism, literature or common sense, as it is more methodical, evidential and critical.
Assessment: |
Exam (100%) |
Duration: | 2 years |
Entry requirements: |
Standard entry requirements, plus grade 5 in GCSE English Language and 4 in GCSE Maths. |
Exam board: | AQA |
Costs: |
£40 for textbooks, £20 each year |
Programme leader: |
You may be required to complete an activity before you start in order to help introduce you to the subject. Check back in the summer term for more details.
In the first year you will examine ‘Families and Households’ in contemporary British society, and ‘Education’ focusing on sociological explanations for academic outcomes.
Areas of study in year two include ‘Crime and Deviance’, and ‘Mass Media’. Socialisation, culture and identity; social differentiation, power and stratification; sociological theory; and research methodology, run throughout both years and all topics.
You are also encouraged to supplement your programme with the Extended Project.
Find out about The Extended Project
Whilst the course provides an excellent preparation for the study of subjects such as politics, international relations, law, economics and business at university, it also offers a strong academic grounding for those wishing to pursue many other subject areas at degree level.
Last year students went on to various destinations including university places at Newcastle, Falmouth College, Portsmouth, York, The Arts, Oxford Brookes, Buckinghamshire New, Cardiff, Westminster, Kent, Warwick, Northampton, Keele, Bournemouth, Birmingham City and Southampton Solent.
Alternatively, the course equips students with a very good educational experience if they want direct entry into employment or further training.
Career options may include teaching/lecturing, social research, management, police and social work. Students may consider direct entry into employment or further training.
Whilst many students continue on to study subjects including philosophy, teaching, English literature, media, social studies, law and sociology, this course provides a strong grounding for those wishing to pursue many other subject areas at degree level.
Name: | Ellie |
Course: | Sociology |
I came to The Henley College from Furze Platt School. I have always been interested in media and film and how sociological and psychological aspects have influenced them. Taking Sociology, Psychology, Film Studies and Media Studies A Levels together has given me an advantage to help widen my knowledge when applying certain concepts to my coursework as well as working on my own projects.
I hope to go on to university to study Media Studies with aspirations of having a career in the industry in the future, possibly in producing or editing.
I've gained a lot of experience from the course and have enjoyed having my independence. I've also liked using concepts of what we have learnt about the scientific study of society and using them to create my own media products.