Introduction 

Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Sociology’s subject matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social stability to radical change in whole societies. Unifying the study of these diverse subjects of study is sociology’s purpose of understanding how human action and consciousness both shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures. 

Key Stage 3 

Sociology is not an option at Key Stage 3. If you enjoy humanities subjects and finding out about how the world works, Sociology might be for you. It is a great way of learning about how human being act in social groups. 

Key Stage 4

GCSE Sociology 

How the course is assessed: Examinations 

Examining Board: OCR 

Course Overview: 

Sociology looks at the different groups that individuals belong to within society and the interaction between them, such as, families, school and the national population. Through the study of society, Sociology looks at the way in which our behaviour, beliefs and identity are shaped. Some Sociologists believe that social institutions like the media, education, religion, the law and families play a major role in doing this.

The course is likely to focus on social inequalities, the role of the media and crime and deviance. Students will therefore study the different views about society and our role in it. 

The course is also likely to introduce students to Sociological Methodology, which focuses on research processes including social surveys, questionnaires, interviews, observation and statistical data, to reveal the varying ways in which evidence is collected about the social world. 

Where does it lead? 

Studying Sociology may be a first step towards a career in the caring professions, education, the media, or the criminal justice system. It will certainly provide a new perspective on the social world in which we live.