Learning Journey

June 2012 - June 2013 1

Contents

A2 Course outline and structure Pg 3

Welcome to A2 Sociology Pg 4

Code of Conduct Pg 5 SCLY3 The Sociology

of Beliefs Pg 6 SCLY4 The Sociology

of Crime and Deviance with Research MethodsPg 7

How do you learn? Pg9

VAK Learning Styles Pg 10

Targets and estimated grades Pg 16

A Level Sociology Grade Boundaries Pg 17

How can I improve my grade? Pg 18

Reading List Pg 19 Internet Resources Pg

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A2 Course Structure and Outline.

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Unit 3

Beliefs in Society

June 2012 to January 2013

A2 mock examsOctober and

December 2012.Live exams

January 2012June 2013

Unit 4Crime & Deviance

Sociological Theory & Methods

January 2013to May 2013

A2 mock examsMarch 2012.

Live exam ~ June 2013

Unit 3 ~ 20% of A levelWritten exam 1hr 30mins

Unit 4 ~ 30% of A LevelWritten exam 2 hours

A2 Sociology

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Congratulations on your success at A/s sociology & welcome to A2 level Sociology. I hope that you will find this course of study interesting, stimulating and fun.

The A2 element of your course shares some similarities with the A/S course. In terms of structure the A2 course involves two modules tested by written exam.

The first module ~ unit 3 (Beliefs in Society) will run from September 2010 to January 2011. There will be a mock exam in December 2010, live exams are in January and June 2011.

The second module ~ unit 4 (Crime & Deviance, Sociological Theory & Methods) will run from January 2011 to May 2011. It is expected to have a mock A2 exam in May 2011.

A more detailed outline of the syllabus is included in this document.

Studying sociology at A2 requires you to develop the skills of identification, interpretation, analysis and evaluation. In

order to develop these skills the A2 level is considerably more in-depth than the A/s level. You will be expected to

engage in background reading to support your lessons, your essays will also need to develop in detail and argument (we

will be looking at A2 essay structure and content during class time).

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Social Sciences

Code of ConductThe aim of this contract is to inform you of the sort of behaviour that the Social Sciences 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 and/or Psychology 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 

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The following areas need to be covered ~SCLY 3

Different theories of ideology, science & religion. Including both Christian & non-Christian religious traditions.

The relationship between religious beliefs and social change and stability.

Religious organisations, including cults, sects, denominations, churches and New Age movements, and their relationship to religious and spiritual belief and practice.

The relationship between different social groups and religious/spiritual organisations and movements, beliefs and practices

The significance of religion and religiosity in the contemporary world, including the nature and extent of secularisation in a global context.

A2 sociologyAQA syllabus ~ Module 3

Beliefs in society

Self-immolation by Thich Quang Duc, a Buddhist monk protesting against the war in Viet Nam.

See www.geocities.com/tcartz/sacrifice.htm

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Different theories of crime, deviance, social order & social control.

The social distribution of crime & deviance by age, ethnicity, gender, locality & social class., including recent patterns and trends in crime.

Globalisation and crime in contemporary society, the mass media & crime: green crime, human rights and state crimes.

Crime control, prevention and punishment, victims and the role of the criminal justice system and other agencies.

The sociological study of suicide and its theoretical and methodological implications.

The connections between sociological theory and methods and the study of crime & deviance. (see overleaf for a detailed breakdown)

A2 sociologyAQA syllabus ~ Module 4

The sociology of Crime & Deviance Sociological Theory & Methods

Getting away with murder? 3rd. Dec. 1984American company Union Carbide’s lax safety regulations cause 20,000 deaths (to date) in Bhopal, India. No American prosecutions have ever been made.See ~ www. bhopal.org/whathappened.html ~ www.bhopal.net

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Unit 4 ~ Theory & methods

As part of Unit 4, students will need to cover the following areas involving sociological theory & methods.

* Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories.

* The concepts of modernity & post modernity in relation to sociological theory.

* The nature of science & the extent to which sociology can be regarded as scientific.

* The relationship between theory & methods.

* Debates about subjectivity, objectivity & value freedom.

* The relationship between sociology & social policy

Sociological Theory & Methods

It doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how smart you are. If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong. Richard P. Feynman

Science is organized common sense where many a beautiful theory was killed by an ugly fact. Thomas Huxley

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Understanding you target and estimated grades is a good way to help you self evaluate your progress on any A level course. As part of your A2 sociology course you will be given regular class tests and mock examinations. These will be assessed and graded using exam board (AQA) mark schemes.

You will receive an estimated grade at the start of your A2 course. The grade is based on your overall A/s result.Once you have received your estimated grade record it here:

Your target grade is what you are potentially capable of when working to the best of your ability. This is an aspirational grade which is intended to motivate. Your target grade is tracked throughout the year, and your progress is recorded as:

On target (=)Achieving above target (+)

Not reaching target (-)Use the table to record your target grades and consider what it means to you?

TARGETS Improvements?1st Target Grade

2nd Target Grade

3rd Target Grade

Target and estimated grades

Est Grade

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The A/s qualification will be graded on a five point scale (A B C D E) and the A level qualification will be graded on a six point scale (A* A B C D E). Candidates who fail to reach the minimum standard for a grade E will be recorded as U (Un-graded) and will not receive a qualification certificate.Grade A* is reported only for the overall A level qualification and not for individual units. For each unit, candidate’s results are reported on a uniform mark scale (UMS), which is related to grades as shown in these tables.

UNIT 1 UMS

UNIT 2 UMS

UNIT 3 UMS

UNIT 4 UMS

OVERALL A/s

OVERALLA2

A 64 - 80 A 96 – 120

A 64 - 80 A 96 – 120 A 160 – 200 A 320 – 400

B 56 – 63 B 84 – 95 B 56 – 63 B 84 – 95 B 140 – 159 B 280 – 319C 48 – 55 C 72 – 83 C 48 – 55 C 72 – 83 C 120 – 139 C 240 – 279D 40 – 47 D 60 - 71 D 40 – 47 D 60 - 71 D 100 –

119D 200 – 239

E 32 - 39 E 48 – 59 E 32 - 39 E 48 – 59 E 80 – 99 E 160 – 199U 00 - 31 U 00 – 47 U 00 - 31 U 00 – 47 U 00 - 79 U 00 - 159

In each unit a candidate’s uniform mark is calculated from their raw mark by using the grading boundaries set by the awarding committee. For example, a candidate who achieved the minimum raw mark required for Grade B on Unit 1 receives a uniform mark of 56.A candidate’s total uniform mark for the A/S qualification is obtained by adding together the uniform marks for the two A/S units. A candidate’s total uniform mark for the A Level qualification is obtained by adding together the uniform marks for all four units. If a candidate has re-taken a unit, the best uniform mark is used.Grade A* is awarded to candidate’s who have gained at least 320 uniform marks on the A level as a whole and a total of at least 180 uniform marks on the A2 units.

You need to use this information alongside your estimated and target grades (previous page) to help you set personal targets. Success at A level is more likely if you have a clear goal to focus on which is based on the information you have available.

If you wish to aim for the grade above your estimated grade, read the notes overleaf and consider how you could incorporate the advice into your learning strategy. Ask you subject teacher for support if needed

GCE SociologyGrading System

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How can I improve my grade?

Ten golden rules for improving your marks.

1. Start your course with an organised sociology folder and keep it this way. You will be surprised just how important

organisation is. A levels are as much about organisation as they are about hard work.

2. Produce a vocabulary book and always update this at the end of each week. Ask your teacher for definitions if you are not clear.

3. Do not just collect key words. Use them in homework and in class to make sure you understand them and can use them in the right context.

4. Make flash cards for key concepts, perspectives and research, keep them in your folder.

5. At the end of each topic spend some time making revision notes. This requires good discipline and organisation, but it will pay dividends when

the course ends and you approach the final exams.

6. List evaluation points for each topic you study. Put these onto revision cards and learn them when you have completed the topic.

7. Put all your named examples for each topic onto separate revision cards. You should include what sociologists did, what they said and which

perspective they follow.

8. For every perspective you cover you should

Make 10 bullet point statements about the perspective Identify 10 key concepts the perspective would use

Name 3 studies related to the perspective? Outline 3 criticisms of the perspective?

Be able to compare and contrast with other perspectives

9. For each study try and remember the perspective it’s related to and the method used.

10.Be able to evaluate perspectives with other (often opposing) perspectives.

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Haralambos & HolbornSociology Themes & Perspectives

You are also expected to read around specialist texts, for example Emile Durkheim’s “ Le Suicide” & Max Weber’s “The Protestant Ethic & the Spirit of Capitalism” are key texts for A2 sociology. You will be told which texts to read by your tutors during your classes. You will be expected to indulge in background reading!

While the ‘Sociology In Focus’ text book is geared to A/s standard, chapters 17 (methodology) & 18 (sociological theory) are recommended introductory reading for A2 students.

You should familiarise yourself with the “Sociological Review” journals that are kept in libraries. They are published quarterly and contain up to date research and articles.

Other relevant materials will be suggested to you during class time. Where possible your tutor will recommend titles that are currently in the library. However it would also prove beneficial for you to join a public library as well.Finally, try reading a broad sheet newspaper (any one will do) at least once a week.

Suggested reading

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The World Wide Web is an invaluable resource for all students of sociology. It can help with your essays and revision. Below are a few sites that may be useful. If you discover any more please let me know.

Good Sociology Siteswww.le.ac.uk/education/centres/ATSS/sites.htmlGives access to several A level/AQA sites.

On Line support & resourceswww.statistics.gov.uk/www.socresonline.org.uk/www.sociology.org.uk/www.barrycomp.com/bhs/www.chrisgardner.clara.net/

Media resources

http://www.guardian.co.uk/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/http://www.bbc.co.uk/http://www.channel4.com/

Resources

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NOTES

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