= Year 12 Sociology Handbook 1
2016-2017 Name... Class Teacher Contents Target grade. Current grade: Contents Welcome 3. Expectations 4. Assessment objectives 6. The AS Specification 7. Textbooks and suggestions for reading 8. Grade descriptors 9. How to get an A/A* 12. 2
Target grade sheet 13. Welcome to Sociology @ Blenheim high sixth form What is sociology? Sociology is the study of society and the study of human behaviour. Sociology attempts to study a range of social institutions such as families and households; education; religion and crime and deviance. Why study sociology? Sociology will lead you into a variety of careers all those that involve you engaging your mind in active thinking! This can include researcher, social worker, teaching and careers in the media. You will be knowledgeable and understand concepts, theories & topical subject matter but also be able to analyse, criticise and evaluate the way in which societies function. By utilising the knowledge and skills on this course you should be able to take a more informed and critical look at many aspects of all societies and how they relate to people's lives, this will also empower you to develop and transferable skills of informed debate and critical analysis We will be following the AQA Sociology specification. It gives a broad overview of what sociology is about and also requires us to study certain topics in depth. The details of the specification are given later in this handbook. Passing the examinations at the end of the first year means that you will be awarded an AS in Sociology. 3
If you are successful on the AS course and would like to take your study of Sociology further, then you continue into the second year (A2). The specification for this extends the knowledge you will already have acquired, and passing the examinations will mean that you will be awarded the full A level in Sociology. Please help yourself to do well. Sociology can be a very intensive course to study, however as long as you keep up to date with assignments and carry out your own personal reading you can expect to do well. We expect everyone to attend punctually to all the Sociology classes. Assignments are set at regular intervals and should be completed by the given deadline. Remember to ask if there is anything which you do not understand. It is steady, sensible work which will enable you to make progress. We are glad to see you here. We hope that you will find the course interesting and useful, and that you will achieve high grades in the Summer exams. 4
Expectations and Code of Conduct The aim of this contract is to inform you of the sort of behaviour that the Sociology Department requires from you while you are studying with us. It will help you to understand the high standards of behaviour and attitude towards learning that we have come to expect from our students. Whilst undertaking the study of Sociology I agree to the following ~ To be on time for all lessons. To come to class fully prepared (i.e. to bring a pen, folder, paper and any required text books). Switch off all mobile phones, MP3 players and any other electronic equipment before I arrive in the classroom. To show respect for all members in the class and allow them to learn. To listen to the teacher when he/she is giving instructions. To listen to other students and not shout out when partaking in discussions and debates. To take responsibility, and not to blame others for my behaviour during lessons. To keep noise levels at a suitable level when learning independently. To complete all work set to the best of my ability. To meet all deadlines set for homework projects. To leave the classroom tidy for other students. To understand that all sugar based sweets and drinks are not permitted in lesson (water is acceptable) Signed Print Name Today s Date 5
More information Punctuality/attendance All students are expected to attend all lessons without fail. If you are absent it is your responsibility to collect/ to make your own class notes. You are also expected to be punctual to all lessons. Those who are late or do not attend will be expected to attend the Catch Up Club to complete missed work. Homework All students are expected to complete homework/ coursework regularly and to meet deadlines. Homework is given to monitor your understanding and to ascertain the skills you have developed. Homework also provides you with important feedback which will help with your development. Revision notes must be made after each lesson, which help consolidate your learning. You may do this in your own revision booklet, using mind maps, flip charts or online. If homework is not completed, you will be expected to attend Catch Up Club. If this is persistent, parents will be contacted and detentions will be issued. Homework and class work will be checked with regular folder checks. You must complete any actions by the next lesson. Equal opportunities Sociology is a broad and wide ranging subject in which you look at a range of topical issues. Please be respectful of age, sexuality, gender, ethnicity and religion. Course Details Examination Board: AQA Specification name: Sociology A Level Specification number: 7191 Assessment Objectives for AS Sociology You will be tested on these skills during your class assessments, exams and coursework. It is essential that you know what these assessment objectives are. AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: sociological theories, concepts and evidence AO2: Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues AO3: Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods in order to: present arguments, make judgements, draw conclusions. 6
The AS Specification at a glance Paper 1 Education and Methods in Context Paper 2 Families and Research Methods/Theory Assessment: written paper,1 hour a half Weighting: 50% of total AS / 25%% of total A Level marks Assessment: written paper, 1 hour and a half Weighting: 50% of total AS / 25% of total A Level marks The detailed AS specification The study AS Sociology should engage students in theoretical debate while encouraging an active involvement with the research process. The study should foster a critical awareness of contemporary social processes and change, and draw together the knowledge, understanding and skills learnt in different aspects of the course. In their study of the topics, students should examine: topic areas in relation to the two core themes (socialisation, culture and identity; and social differentiation, power and stratification) both the evidence of and the sociological explanations for the content listed in the topic areas below. Throughout, students should be encouraged to use examples drawn from their own experience of small-scale research. Attention should be given to drawing out links with other topics studied in this specification. 7
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods in context Education Students are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content: the role and functions of the education system, including its relationship to the economy and to class structure differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity in contemporary society relationships and processes within schools, with particular reference to teacher/pupil relationships, pupil identities and subcultures, the hidden curriculum, and the organisation of teaching and learning the significance of educational policies, including policies of selection, marketisation and privatisation, and policies to achieve greater equality of opportunity or outcome, for an understanding of the structure, role, impact and experience of and access to education; the impact of globalisation on educational policy. Methods in Context Students must be able to apply sociological research methods to the study of education. Unit 2: Families and Households/ Theory and Research Methods Families and Households Students are expected to be familiar with sociological explanations of the following content: the relationship of the family to the social structure and social change, with particular reference to the economy and to state policies changing patterns of marriage, cohabitation, separation, divorce, childbearing and the life course, including the sociology of personal life, and the diversity of contemporary family and household structures gender roles, domestic labour and power relationships within the family in contemporary society the nature of childhood, and changes in the status of children in the family and society demographic trends in the United Kingdom since 1900: birth rates, death rates, family size, life expectancy, ageing population, and migration and globalisation. Theory and Research Methods Students must examine the following areas: quantitative and qualitative methods of research; research design 8
sources of data, including questionnaires, interviews, participant and non-participant observation, experiments, documents and official statistics the distinction between primary and secondary data, and between quantitative and qualitative data the relationship between positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods; the nature of social facts the theoretical, practical and ethical considerations influencing choice of topic, choice of method(s) and the conduct of research consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories the concepts of modernity and post-modernity in relation to sociological theory the nature of science and the extent to which Sociology can be regarded as scientific the relationship between theory and methods debates about subjectivity, objectivity and value freedom the relationship between Sociology and social policy. 9
Textbooks and suggestions for reading It is recommended that you do make use of the library and internet resources that are available to you. It is important to do a great deal of background reading around the subject of sociology if you want to achieve a high grade, therefore it is impossible to rely solely on one text. It is also recommended that you read a good quality daily newspaper to enable you to follow current affairs: The Guardian, The Independent, The Times and The Telegraph. Textbook Recommended AS textbook: A level Sociology Book One-the Including AS Level; by Webb et al. Other Books Browne, K. Introducing Sociology for AS Level, Haralabos, M et al. Sociology in Focus for AQA AS Level Haralambos, M et al. Sociology Themes and Perspectives Moore et al, AQA Sociology for AS Webb et al, AS Sociology The complete course for the AQA Specification, Napier Press Journals Sociology Review Websites Association for the Teaching of the Social Sciences (has many links to other websites of interest to AS/A2 Sociology) www.atss.org.uk BBC www.bbc.co.uk The Daily Telegraph www.telegraph.co.uk The Guardian www.guardian.co.uk The Observer www.guardian.co.uk Office for National Statistics www.statistics.gov.uk The Times www.thetimes.co.uk Sociology Central www.sociology.org.uk 10
Grade Descriptors A B Description To get an A grade you will need to demonstrate a detailed, accurate and wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts and the connections between them, citing wide ranging evidence. You will also present sociological material in a logical and coherent manner, where spelling, grammar and punctuation are accurate. The skills that you will demonstrate include: an ability to select, apply and interpret, accurately and appropriately, different types of sociological evidence from a wide range of diverse sources. You will also be able to make detailed and accurate analysis and evaluation of sociological evidence and arguments on a variety of issues that are highly relevant to the question paper. To get a B grade you will need to demonstrate a comprehensive, accurate and wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts and the connections between them, citing wide ranging evidence. You will also present sociological material in a logical and coherent manner, where spelling, grammar and punctuation are largely accurate. The skill that you will demonstrate include: an ability to select, apply and interpret, accurately and appropriately, different types of sociological evidence from a range of diverse sources. You will also be able to make detailed and accurate analysis and evaluation of sociological evidence and arguments on a variety of issues that are highly relevant to the question paper. To move up A* A Description Show that you have a broad knowledge and understanding of key concepts, methods and theories Show that you have carried out a range of wider reading Use a range of evidence to support your arguments Show that you have an excellent awareness of current issues related to the topics being studied Show you have strong analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation skills Use connectives and evaluative phrases Make sure that your spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate To show that you can write a well structured essay with clear arguments To move from a B grade to an A grade you must do the following: Show that you have a detailed knowledge and understanding of key concepts, methods and theories Show that you have carried out a range of wider reading Use a range of evidence to support your arguments Show that you have an excellent awareness of current issues related to the topics being studied To show that you have strong analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation skills Use connectives and evaluative phrases Make sure that your spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate To show that you can write a well structured essay with clear arguments 11
C D E To get a C grade you will need to demonstrate a good, accurate knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts and the connections between them, citing some evidence. You will also present sociological material with a, where spelling, grammar and punctuation are on the whole accurate. The skill that you will demonstrate include: an ability to select, apply and interpret, accurately and appropriately, different types of sociological evidence from a number of sources. You will also be able to make a good accurate analysis and evaluation of sociological evidence and arguments on a variety of issues that are relevant to the question paper. To get a D grade you will need to demonstrate a fair knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts, with some limited evidence of understanding of the connections between them, supported by some evidence. You will present some sociological material that displays a fair structure with some coherence and some errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling. You must demonstrate a fair ability to select, apply and interpret different types of sociological evidence from a limited range of sources. You must make some analysis and evaluation of evidence and arguments that have some relevance to the question paper. To get an E grade you must demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts, with some limited evidence of understanding of the connections between them, supported by some evidence. You must present some sociological material that displays a basic structure with 12 B C D To move from a C grade to a B grade you must do the following: Show that you have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of key concepts, methods and theories Show that you have carried out some wider reading Use a range of evidence to support your arguments Show that you have a very good awareness of current issues related to the topics being studied To show that you have very good analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation skills Use connectives and evaluative phrases Make sure that your spelling, punctuation and grammar are largely accurate To show that you can write a well structured essay with clear arguments To move from a D grade to a C grade you must do the following: Show that you have a good knowledge and understanding of key concepts, methods and theories Show that you have carried out wider reading Use of some evidence to support your arguments Show that you have an awareness of current issues related to the topics being studied To show that you have good analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation skills Use connectives and evaluative phrases Make sure that your spelling, punctuation and grammar are fairly accurate To show that you can write a structured essay with clear arguments To move from an E grade to a D grade you must do the following: Show that you have a fair knowledge and understanding of key concepts, methods and theories Attempt to show knowledge of wider reading
U limited coherence and some errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling. You must demonstrate a basic ability to select, apply and interpret different types of sociological evidence from a limited range of sources. You must make basic analysis and evaluation of evidence and arguments that have some relevance to the question paper. To get a U grade you will demonstrate a limited knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, methods and concepts, with some limited or no evidence of understanding of the connections between them, supported by limited evidence. You will present limited sociological material that displays a poor structure with limited coherence and errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling. You will demonstrate a limited ability to select, apply and interpret different types of sociological evidence from a limited range of sources. You will make limited analysis and evaluation of evidence and arguments that have little relevance to the question paper. E Attempt to use evidence to support your arguments To have fair analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation skills by practicing past exam papers Use connectives and evaluative phrases Make sure that are few spelling, punctuation and grammar errors To show that you can structure an essay with some arguments To move from a U grade to an E grade you must do the following: Show that you have a basic knowledge and understanding of key concepts, methods and theories To show limited analysis, interpretation, application and evaluation skills Limited use of use connectives and evaluative phrases Make sure that are only some spelling, punctuation and grammar errors Your essays will have a basic structure and limited arguments 13
How to get an A/A* What do you need to do? Although you can only get an A* at A2, you can start to build up your UMS points in AS. To get the highest grade possible, you must do the following; Get over 90% on all papers- you cannot afford to make mistakes and not attempt questions. You must be consistent over all papers- don t neglect any of the modules. Always use specialist Sociological terminology. Use examples to support, included current research, to show you understand what you are talking about. Learn names for key studies. Expand every point and use more sophisticated language. You spelling, punctuation and grammar must be excellent. Write a distinct introduction, where you introduce key terms and outline key arguments and debates. Write a distinct conclusion where you summarise and reach a judgement. Link your paragraphs back to the question, using connective at the start and linking sentences at the end. Understand the key approaches in detail, and use these to add detail to evaluation. 14
Ensure evaluation is well explained and contextualised, and looks at both strengths and weaknesses. Demonstrate advanced skills of application. Make sure you can apply your knowledge to specific scenarios. Excellent analysis means you constantly refer back to the scenario that you are given, explaining how research supports/challenges this. Learn as we go along- make sure you are constantly consolidating so that you know a wealth of knowledge. Your answers are expected to be longer than the average student. How can you do this? Create study cards/mind maps as we go along, including A01 and A02 and A03 for each study and theory. Revise throughout the year- dedicate some of your free periods to Psychology revision each week. Do comparison sheets where you compare and contrast theories and research so that you can see the bigger picture. Work through past questions and self-assess these using the mark scheme. You can find these on the AQA website. Read Sociological books and magazines and look out for relevant articles in the news. When watching films and TV shows with Sociological themes, think critically. Note any interesting points in a notebook. Start an on line revision group with peers you can rely on. Pair up and create challenging questions. Share essays and peer assess. Design studies to address a variety of issues. Evaluate these. Attend revision sessions and trips. 15
Assessment Tracker What is your ALPs target grade? What is your challenging target grade? Assessment Grade Above, on or below target? 1 Targets 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16