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A Level Sociology

What is Sociology?

Sociology can be defined as the systematic study of human action and interaction from a social or group perspective. It can include the study of social structures both big and small. For example, a sociologist could study the ways in which individual teachers engage with individual pupils in the classroom as well as the social policies which lie behind the creation of our current education system.

A Level Sociology is a lively, interesting and often exciting subject to study. It can give you a much greater appreciation of society, and the different groups of people who comprise society. Furthermore, Sociology helps you develop a historical understanding of society and an understanding of how and why society might, or might not, change in the future.

What is Sociology at ACB?

The course is very student centred. There is an emphasis upon class discussion, debate and argument. As students are often new to the subject you will be guided on how to become critical thinkers in the field of sociology. You will learn through the use of colourful and interactive PowerPoint presentations, video and film clips, paired and group activities and individual research tasks. Studying A Level Sociology at Blackwater Academy is fun, interesting and exciting.

What do I need?

The most important thing that you need is an interest in why we behave in the way that we do. For most sociologists, behaviour is not natural; it is learned. We are socialised in certain ways and so if you are interested in the processes that shape our sense of self, this subject is for you. A Level Sociology at Blackwater Academ is concerned with real world issues with policy relevance, such as social inequality, organised crime, the social basis of political conflict and changes in family relationships and gender roles.

Good subject combinations

A Level Sociology is complemented by the arts and humanities because these subjects also develop an understanding of key sociological perspectives and share the same skills. In English Language you will learn that language is a social construct as are society’s norms and values.

 

Psychology and Sociology are compatible too; in particular there is significant overlap in research methods.
Sociology also works well with Science; while you will not be working in a lab testing hypotheses, you will be putting sociological arguments to the test in a systematic, objective and logical way. Indeed Sociologists uncover ‘social facts’ in the same way that Biologists, Chemists and Physicists uncover ‘facts of nature’. It is a subject then that is compatible with all other academic disciplines.

After ACB

In giving you a greater understanding of the broad social structures that shape human action and interaction, Sociology could, to provide just a few examples, lead to a career in:

Advertising

Personnel

Management

Journalism

Public Health

The Non-Government Sector

Public Relations

A-level entry requirements

To study A Levels, your current or pending exam results should be equivalent to or higher than GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) in at least 5 subjects and a minimum level of English equivalent to IELTS 5.0. At the start of each academic year of study students following an A-Level course without a pass at grade C in GCSE or IGCSE English Language or with an Academic English score below 6.5 overall must join an Academic English training course for the duration of the academic year which will be timetabled alongside A-Level lessons. If your level of English is not sufficient to meet the entry criteria for the A-Level programme, the Blackwater Academy Pre A-Level course is a specially designed programme of up to 3 years duration leading to completion of your A-Level examinations.

Testimonials 
Testimonials 

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