Sociology

Freedom is not merely the opportunity to do as one pleases; neither is it merely the opportunity to choose between set alternatives. Freedom is, first of all, the chance to formulate the available choices, to argue over them — and then, the opportunity to choose.

Charles Wright Mills (1959), The Sociological Imagination

The above quote from a classic sociological text summarises what makes sociology perhaps a subject unlike any other. In sociology, the study of society, we study seemingly familiar arenas of everyday life, but with a critical detachment, and with a range of different theoretical perspectives and methodological tools. The acquisition and production of sociological knowledge are processes of continuous questioning of that which seems natural, taken-for-granted; as society evolves, so does the subject. Sociology examines the structural factors that impact individuals’ lives, including social class, gender, ethnicity and age and then situates the individual, and their capacities to exert free will and to create meaning, in relation to these.

Studying sociology

Students often find that their sociological education is not confined to the classroom. The sociological imagination can be used to analyse everything from Netflix shows to social media interactions or a commute through several very different London neighbourhoods. However, in class, the study of sociology first and foremost involves a good deal of reading and writing. Students produce weekly homework essays, and are guided towards developing an appropriately formal writing style, as well as a confident command of sociological terminology. Evaluation and analysis are crucial elements of sociology, and students are encouraged to think critically and independently, and to substantiate their arguments with empirical evidence, both in classroom debates and in their written work. Further aptitudes developed in A-level sociology, which will stand students in good stead at university and in the workplace, include presentation, research and group work skills.

The syllabus

Sociology can be studied as an A1, one-year intensive, course or as a two-year A-level. We follow the AQA linear A-level syllabus, with three two-hour exams at the end of the second year.
In the first year, we cover Research Methods, the Sociology of Education, and the Sociology of Families and Households; in the second year, Sociological Theory, The Media and Crime and Deviance.

Trips, visitors and a Discussion Club

We are keen for students to benefit from speakers with relevant expertise, and for them to apply and broaden their theoretical knowledge on educational trips. In recent years, sociology students have visited the Old Bailey, a Comedy Studies event at Brunel University, several Sociology in Action conferences, a Tutor2U exam booster workshop, and the Clink Museum. Speakers have included an activist against knife crime, a high profile human rights lawyer and Dr Yaron Brook, an American entrepreneur and writer.
The Sociological Discussion Club is a fortnightly lunchtime event that is essentially ‘a sociology lesson without teacher nagging’ – lively discussions about the topics of the day, including, in the last year, postmodern culture, the impact of feminism, the second amendment, the Kavanaugh inquiry and unconscious bias.

A level Results

2017-21

A*/A

A*-B

61% 87%

Sociology Staff

Nicole Kypker

nicole kypker
Qualifications:
BA (Hons), MPhil (Cantab), PhD, PGCE

Nicole Kypker studied sociology at Cambridge University and has taught the subject at A-level for over a decade. An award-winning teacher, she has extensive experience as a senior examiner and has authored a guidebook to British and Irish universities as...

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Students

Taking A-Level Sociology has strengthened my analytical skills as well as allowing me to apply taught content to current affairs, building greater awareness and understanding. This highly interesting subject incorporates aspects of politics, philosophy and quantitative data to explain many different perspectives, allowing one to appreciate the theories that shape and change society. As I will be studying PPE at university (hopefully!), sociology has provided me a great foundation of politics, and basic philosophy to ease myself into the first year.

Tips for prospective students:

  • Your interest fuels how much time you invest into a subject, therefore make sure the spec content is what interests you, a lot of self-motivation needed.
  • Content heavy, so start writing concise notes in lessons so you can maximise revision by doing questions and making sure you know the content inside out. A3 posters help greatly!
  • Know the basics inside out, as this allows you to look at even new topics quite easily.
  • Timed essay every week makes you feel greater prepared for assessments and the final exam.
  • Even when you move to new sections, look at past topics regularly- as it can be easy to forget!
  • Small classes allow you to get everyone’s perspective and class debates are very fun too.
  • Strategically viewing A Level subjects, if you are looking to enter competitive courses such as medicine and dentistry, sociology’s concepts are easier to grasp than science subjects (in my opinion) therefore you will have more time for maths, chem, bio or physics. Make sure universities will accept sociology as a third subject!”

V.S., A level Sociology student