Sociology is the study of society and the way people live, behave and interact with one another. It encourages students to look beyond their own experiences and consider how families, schools, communities and wider social structures can shape people’s lives.

The aim of GCSE Sociology is to help students develop a deeper understanding of the social world around them. Students learn to question assumptions, consider different viewpoints and use evidence to explain why society works in the way it does.

Sociology also develops valuable transferable skills. Students learn how to analyse information, compare different explanations, construct balanced arguments, use evidence effectively and reach well-supported conclusions.

What will students learn?

Students are introduced to important sociological ideas, concepts and theories. They consider questions such as:

• How and why are families changing?

• What is the purpose of education?

• Why do some groups achieve better educational outcomes than others?

• Why does crime happen, and why are some groups more likely to be represented in crime statistics?

• Why are wealth, power and opportunities distributed unequally?

• How do sociologists investigate society?

Throughout the course, students explore different sociological perspectives, including Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and Interactionism. They also encounter the ideas of influential sociologists such as Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim and Max Weber.

Students are encouraged to consider different explanations rather than simply accepting one point of view. They learn how to support their ideas with sociological evidence and how to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments.

The AQA GCSE Sociology course covers four main areas:

Families
Students explore different types of families and relationships, changing family patterns, roles within families and sociological explanations of family life.

Education
Students consider the role and purpose of education, differences in educational achievement and the ways factors such as social class, gender and ethnicity can influence educational experiences and outcomes.

Crime and Deviance
Students investigate different explanations for crime and deviant behaviour, patterns of crime within society, social control and how crime is measured.

Social Stratification
Students examine inequality in society, including social class, poverty, wealth, power and life chances. They consider different sociological explanations for why inequalities exist.

Research methods are also an important part of the course. Students learn how sociologists collect and interpret evidence about society, including questionnaires, interviews, observations, official statistics and other sources of data.They consider the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and learn to evaluate how reliable and useful sociological research may be.

How is GCSE Sociology assessed?

GCSE Sociology is assessed entirely through two written examinations at the end of the course. There is no coursework or controlled assessment.

Paper 1: The Sociology of Families and Education

• Families

• Education

• Relevant research methods

• 1 hour 45 minutes

• 100 marks

• 50% of the GCSE

Paper 2: The Sociology of Crime and Deviance and Social Stratification

• Crime and Deviance

• Social Stratification

• Relevant research methods

• 1 hour 45 minutes

• 100 marks

• 50% of the GCSE

Both examinations contain a mixture of shorter questions and extended written responses. Students are assessed on their knowledge and understanding, their ability to apply sociological ideas and evidence, and their ability to analyse and evaluate different explanations.

Why study GCSE Sociology?

Sociology is particularly suited to students who are curious about people, society and current social issues. It encourages students to become thoughtful, questioning and informed learners.

The subject supports the development of skills that are valuable across many other GCSE subjects and in further study, including critical thinking, essay writing, analysis, evaluation, discussion and evidence-based argument.

GCSE Sociology can provide a strong foundation for further study in Sociology and related subjects such as Psychology, Criminology, Politics, Law, Social Sciences and Health and Social Care. More broadly, it helps students develop a better understanding of the diverse society in which they live.