The great thing about studying Sociology at Ashbourne is that the class investigates challenging topical matters such as 'moral panics in the media,' 'knife crime,' and 'domestic violence', or issues such as 'why does the UK have the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe?' Multi-media resources are used to reinforce learning, such as BBC video clips, websites and newspaper articles. Michael Nyman, who teachers Sociology aims to encourage independent thinking by using Socratic questioning; or, in other words, draws out answers from students themselves. He has been an AQA examiner so advises students on exam skills in order to improve their grades.
Why study Sociology?
Sociology is the subversive science that challenges preconceptions! It gives students an understanding of society, and of how sociologists study and explain people's lives. Studying sociology will enable students to discuss social issues in a more informed and systematic way and it will help them to make sense of their own and other people's experiences. It involves a critical appraisal of the nature of the distribution of wealth, power and opportunity, the role of the media, the barriers to development in other parts of the world and the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to solving society's most fundamental problems, including poverty, crime and the environment. An attempt is also made to employ a variety of methods to analyse society's institutions, such as the family.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow AQA specification for Sociology
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called 'Culture and Identity: Families and Households; Wealth, Poverty and Welfare'?Students look at the topic 'families and Households'. They consider the relationship of the family to the social structure and social changes and the state. They begin to think about changing patterns of cohabitation, marriage and child bearing and changes in terms of roles within the family and the nature of childhood. They start to draw some conclusions about the reasons for and impact of these demographic trends.
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called 'Education; Health: Sociological Methods'?Students study the topic 'education'. They consider the role and purpose of education in society, investigate the disparities in educational achievement between certain groups and consider the impact of relationships in schools and educational policies on the achievement of pupils. They begin to explore how sociological research methods have been used in the study of education.
Unit 3
A2 unit 3 is called 'Beliefs in Society; Global Development; Mass media; Power and Politics'?Students study one of the following topics:?Beliefs in Society?Global Development?Mass Media?Power and Politics
Unit 4
A2 unit 4 is called 'Crime and Deviance; stratification and Differentiation; Theory and Methods'?Students study one of the following topics;?Crime and Deviance?Stratification and Differentiation?Theory and Methods
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
Candidates answer one question on their chosen topic. The question consists of five parts
Unit 2
Candidates answer one question on the topic, one question on sociological research methods in context and one question on research methods.
Unit 3
Candidates answer one compulsory question on their chosen topic and one question from a choice of two.
Unit 4
Candidates answer one question on their chosen topic, one question on sociological research methods and one on theory and methods.
How is the course structured?
Students study AS unit 1 from September to December and unit 2 from January to March. A2 unit 1 will be studied from September to December of the A2 year and Unit 4 from January to March.
When do the exams take place?
AS students sit their examinations in June. There will be opportunities to resit AS units in January of the A2 year. Students sit their A2 units in June of the A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Dennis Fulcher
(BSc Hons (Kingston) MA (London) PGCE (Greenwich)
Media and Social Sciences (HoD), Psychology, Sociology, Film, Politics and Law)
Dennis is the College's polymath and Head of Humanities. Originally a graduate in Sociology, Dennis has also completed a Masters in Government and Political Studies, a PGCE and a Diploma in Print Journalism. He is also a teamleader for Government and Politics examiners. Dennis is a lifelong film enthusiast.
Michael Niman
Michael Niman studied Politics with Sociology at Teeside University and later completed a MA in post-sixteen education at Southampton university, where he was awarded best postgraduate student. Michael has taught various subjects, from Sociology to training nurses and housing officers. He has a very open minded approach to teaching, and once even taught General Studies A Levels while riding on the South Downs! He enjoys anything to do with nature and his dream includes going on a safari to South Africa and witness the midnight sun.
Beyond A Level for Sociology Students
Sociology is a well-respected academic subject that is valued by employers and universities alike. It is a useful subject that can lead on to a number of degree courses or careers after successful completion of the A level. These include; Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Humanities, Government and Politics and History degrees and a career in law, the police, media, journalism, nursing, social work, probation services, research and the civil service amongst others.
Textbooks
AS
Title - AS Level Sociology: The Complete Course for the AQA Specification,'
Author - Rob Webb, et al
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/AS-Level-Sociology-Complete-Specification/dp/0954007956/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276270527&sr=8-15
A2
Title - A2 Sociology: The Complete Course for the AQA Specification
Author - Rob Webb et al
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/A2-Sociology-Complete-Course-Specification/dp/0954007964/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b |
