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Study Guide for Bryn Hafren students

Key Stage 5

‘A’ Level Sociology in the Barry Sixth Form

What is Sociology?

Sociology is a social science. This means that areas of human experience are studied using methods, which are drawn from science subjects.

What topics are studied at AS and A level?

The course followed in Barry Sixth is the OCR syllabus. This syllabus is followed by most of the schools in Wales and there are textbooks which are written directly for the course.

There is emphasis on the methods used by social scientists and these are linked to social theory.

The route through the course is:

• Culture and Identity
• Methods used by Social Scientists
• Media and Family
• Deviance and Crime
• Education
• Social Inequality

The examination

The examination is divided into six separate papers. There will be a combination of analysis of stimulus materials and essays.

Career Options

Sociology is a good general subject. It can be combined with sciences or with arts subjects. There is a heavy load of reading to do, so if you are weak in this area, do not combine Sociology with other subjects that require you to read a great deal.

Sociology is a critical part of many other subject areas in University. It is particularly useful to those considering a career in marketing, public and commercial administration, law and crime or social planning.

Most caring subjects such as teaching and medicine will have Sociology as an important component of their courses and will welcome students with some training in the subject. If you have any doubts, ring the university of your choice for advice on your options!

What GCSEs do I need?

You do not need a GCSE in Sociology for ‘A’ level though a good grade in English is recommended.

Teaching methods

Sociology is taught using a variety of methods including group work, lecturing and personal research. You are expected to undertake various research projects in your own time and to report on them to the whole class. You are given as much help as you need and you will receive individual tuition should you require it and ask for it. The staff offers a high degree of commitment and expects it from students.

Mrs Griffiths has co-authored a number of textbooks as a teacher specialist in Sociology and acted as an advisor on others. She edits books for the Association for the Teaching of Social Scientists.

What resources are on offer?

The Learning Resource Centre is extremely well stocked with most of the current ‘A’ level texts. It is expected that you should buy your own book, although you will not need to. In addition to textbooks there are a variety of other source books for you to use.

You will be given research sheets and notes to supplement your own notes. You will also be supported by a huge amount of material kept on the school computer network shared folders on the Bryn Hafren Network. Have a look at what there is!

Will I enjoy Sociology?

There is a heavy workload of individual reading in Sociology. You are expected to complete a minimum of three hours at home and three hours in school each week in addition to your taught lessons. Sociology will suit people who enjoy being challenged by new ideas and who like discussion work, even though discussion only forms part of the subject.

You will need to be able to work on your own and use your initiative to look things up. You will enjoy Sociology a lot if you are prepared to make the effort for yourself. ‘A’ levels are challenging and students cannot expect to find everything equally interesting, but for those people who are prepared to work hard and to participate in lessons then Sociology is a good option.

You are invited to attend a lesson of Sociology at ‘A’ level to see if it will suit you and you are advised to look at some of the textbooks in the Bryn Hafren LRC to see what they are like. Talk to people who are already studying the subject and ask for their opinions about what they enjoy or dislike about the subject.

You are invited to inspect this website for a flavour of the materials, the subject and the teaching methods used.