Mr J Vanstone 

Humanities Head of Faculty: Mr I Hagger

Students will have had no formal exposure to Sociology before starting in KS4.

Students follow the Eduqas GCSE Sociology course. Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. The subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to radical change in whole societies. Sociology is an exciting and illuminating field of study that analyses and explains important matters in our personal lives, our communities, and the world.

The GCSE course is based around 2 components:

Component 1: Understanding Social Processes:

• Theme 1.1 - Key concepts and processes of cultural transmission: Key sociological concepts; Debates over the acquisition of identity; The process of socialisation.
• Theme 1.2 – Families: Family diversity and different family forms in the UK and within a global context; Social changes and family structures; Social changes and family relationships; Sociological theories of the role of family; Criticisms of the family.
• Theme 1.3 – Education: Sociological theories on the role of education; Processes within schools; Patterns of educational achievement; Factors affecting educational achievement (ethnicity and class); Factors affecting educational achievement (gender).
• Theme 1.4 - Sociological research methods: Usefulness of different types of data; Methods of research; Sampling methods; Practical issues affecting research; Ethical issues affecting research.

Component 2: Understanding Social Structures:

• Theme 2.5 - Social differentiation and stratification: Sociological theories of stratification; Different forms and sources of power and authority; Equality/inequality in relation to class, gender, ethnicity, age, disability and sexuality; Factors which may influence access to life chances and power; Poverty as a social issue.
• Theme 2.6 - Crime and deviance: Social construction of concepts of crime and deviance; Social control; Patterns of criminal and deviant behaviour; Sociological theories and explanations of deviance and criminal behaviour (structural, sub-cultural, interactionist and feminist); Sources of data on crime.
• Theme 2.7 - Applied methods of sociological enquiry: The process of research design; interpreting data.

The course is examined through two exam papers:

Component 1: Understanding Social Processes (1 hour and 45 minutes - 50%)

Component 2: Understanding Social Structures (1 hour and 45 minutes - 50%)

Both exams are a mix of short answer, structured questions and extended response questions, all compulsory. The extended response questions will require students to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding from across the relevant specification content.

Sociology Long Term Plans - Year 10

Sociology Long Term Plans - Year 11

Useful websites

and resources

•  https://padlet.com/jvanstone2/y4gb3tbo1r6x3jpt
• Eduqas GCSE Sociology specification
• Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Sociology – Student Book – Tivey and Davies.
• Reading a good quality newspaper regularly will give you a good basis for Sociology
• http://www.sociology.org.uk/
• https://www.britsoc.co.uk/what-is-sociology/sociology-links.aspx
• https://revisesociology.com/good-sociology-sites/
• http://www.gojimo.com/gcse-sociology-revision/ (a great revision app).

Possible areas of future Studies

Sociology suits people who are interested in society and social issues, and those who like to question the nature of everything in society. If you enjoy a good debate, listening to alternative viewpoints and learning in small groups then Sociology will suit you. GCSE Sociology also provides an excellent background for many A Levels, including Sociology, Government and Politics, Philosophy, Health and Social Care and Critical Thinking.

Possible future careers

Sociology is a great choice of subject for people who want a career in social work, nursing or medicine. Sociology is also useful in a number of other careers, like marketing, advertising, PR, journalism, law or teaching.