Sociology GCSE

Sociology is the study of society. It tries to explain how society works, and how it affects peoples behaviour. During this course you will be encouraged to explore and debate contemporary social issues to enable you to challenge taken-for-granted assumptions and to question your everyday understanding of social phenomena. By following this course, you will develop your own sociological awareness through active engagement with the contemporary social world.

You will consider how human beings acquire their identity and examine the process of passing on culture from generation to generation. This theme is continued through a detailed study of two agents of socialisation: families and education, which will provide you with a deeper, more theoretical understanding of the social world.

You will study why sociologists believe the family is so important and look at changing patterns of family life. You will study the functions of the education system, looking at differences between gender, ethnicity and social class in terms of who does best in our education system.

You will enhance your awareness of the social world through an examination of social structures and their influence on human behaviour. You will learn about the different sociological explanations for the causes of crime, such as inequality, poor family life and poverty. You will look at different forms of status and inequality in society, such as those linked to gender, class and ethnicity. You will look at the different types of research methods sociologists use when studying society, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Module Titles

Understanding Social Processes

Understanding Social Structures

100% Exam

Exam Board: WJEC

At least 3 GCSEs at Grade 4.

Grade 3 in GCSE English and GCSE Maths.

Students who have not achieved a Grade 4 in GCSE English and/or GCSE Maths must retake as part of their study programme.

The study of Sociology is valuable for any career that involves understanding organisations and / or people. Sociology is a subject which relates to a range of careers and Higher Education courses. Sociology has become a central feature of various careers including Teaching, Policing, Social Work, Journalism, Human Resources and Management.