Subject Intent

Sociology enables learners to gain a greater understanding of the complex nature of humans and society. Through the study of society, it allows learners to get to grips with many aspects of modern life on our planet. 

At Derby Cathedral School we study the AQA A Level Sociology course whereby we have selected the Family and Households and Beliefs in Society optional modules. Our aim is to produce Sociologists of the future who are motivated and curious to delve deeper into the range factors that influence how society functions. The curriculum we offer will prepare learners for a lifetime of social change, diverse culture and diversity of different viewpoints and will also help challenge discrimination and ignorance in society by offering explanations and scientific research to challenge discriminatory views in society. We believe that we will develop responsible citizens who will be able to reflect on the world around them. 

Through our carefully designed curriculum and strong subject specialists, the Social Sciences department offers rich and engaging lessons that will enable learners to learn the fundamentals of Sociology and the skills needed to ‘think like a Sociologist’. We strongly encourage Sociology learners to actively engage with contemporary issues within the world regularly and our curriculum ensures we engage in topic discussions during lessons to provoke further analysis. 

Staffing

Head of Social Sciences and Teacher of Sociology, Psychology and Health and Social Care 

Miss J Sowter - j.sowter@derbycathedralschool.org.uk  

Lead Teacher of Criminology and Teacher of Psychology

Mr S Acquah - s.acquah@derbycathedralschool.org.uk

 

Homework

A Level Subjects (Psychology and Sociology) – students will be set weekly homework in the form of three tasks 

  • Apply (independently apply what has been learnt during lessons) e.g. exam questions, textbook exercises, skills activities, essays, detailed planning for extended writing 
  • Acquire (independently acquire new knowledge to build good foundations) e.g. directed reading for the next lesson, directed research task, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts 
  • Cement (independently revisiting class notes to identify areas that require further assistance from their teacher) e.g. reviewing class notes, mind mapping, creating revision material, re-reading relevant textbook pages, retrieval tasks 

Assessment

  • You will have three exams in year 13 
  • Each paper is two hours 
  • Each paper is out of 80 

Paper 1 - Education with Theory and Methods 

  • Education – 4, 6, 10 and 30 mark 
  • Methods in Context – 20 mark  
  • Theory and Methods – 10 mark

Paper 2 - Topics in Sociology

  • Families and Households – 10, 10 and 20 mark 
  • Beliefs in Society – 10, 10 and 20 mark 

Paper 3 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods 

  • Crime and Deviance – 4, 6, 10 and 30 mark 
  • Theory and Methods – 10 and 20 mark 

     

 

 

 

 

Independent Study and Revision

 

Subject Enrichment

  • Shrewsbury Prison Visit 
  • Derby Magistrates and Crown Court 
  • London Visit – Supreme Court 
  • Police Officer Guest Speaker 
  • Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands Trip (includes aspects from all Social Sciences) 
  • Derby Cathedral Visit  

 

Super-Curricular

  • Explore careers related to Sociology 

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/sociology  

https://www.milkround.com/advice/what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-sociology-degree-in-the-uk  

  • Complete a Sociology related MOOC

https://www.mymooc.com/en/categorie/sociology 

  • Read the Sociology Review magazine 
  • Keep up to date with the news and create a contemporary evidence log sheet 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cljev4jz3pjt  

  • Watch relevant Ted Talks

https://www.ted.com/topics/sociology 

  • Watch relevant documentaries such as ‘The Mask You Live In’ 
  • Follow @ALevelSociology, @allsociology, @AQASociology, @PetrocSociology and @thesociologyguy 
  • Watch relevant films such as Freedom Fighters, Wonder, The Help, The Social Dilemma, Hidden Figures and Love, Simon 
  • Read relevant British Sociology Association Publications

https://www.britsoc.co.uk/publications/ 

Literacy

  • ‘The Satsuma Complex’ by Bob Mortimer 
  • ‘My Name is Why’ by Lemn Sissay 
  • ‘Chavs: The demonization of the working class’ by Owen Jones 
  • ‘Roots’ by Alex Haley 
  • ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ by Chimamanda Ngozi 
  • ‘Invisible Women’ by Caroline Criado Perez 
  • ‘Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (and other lies)’ by Scarlett Curtis 
  • ‘Animal Farm’ by Gorge Orwell 
  • ‘A Glasgow Gang’ by James Patrick 
  • ‘Gang Leader for a Day’ by Sudhir Venkatesh 
  • ‘The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone’ by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett 
  • ‘Everyday Sexism’ by Laura Bates 
  • ‘McMafia: Seriously Organised Crime’ by Misha Glenny 
  • ‘There ain’t No Black in the Union Jack’ by Paul Gilroy