A-Level Sociology

Year 11 Transition Pack

Course overview
Introductory materials
‘How to get a head start’ guide
 Hello!
I am you are keeping well and staying safe. My name is Miss Dore and I am one of the Sociology teachers at
Bluecoat Academy Sixth Form.
I have put together some information and tasks for you to complete in order to introduce yourself to A-
Level Sociology and what it will entail.
Should you have any specific questions, please feel free to email me at cdore@bluecoat.uk.com
Take care! 

Course overview

Over the course of two years, you will explore numerous topics that will engage you in developing
sociological knowledge and critically evaluative skills to come to evidence based conclusions. The topics we
explore are:

Year 1 Year 2
Families and Households Beliefs in Society

Education Crime and Deviance

Research methods/Methods in context Theories and methods

You will assessed by 3 exams at the end of the 2 year course – each will be 2 hours long and out of 80
marks with questions ranging from 4 to 30 marks.

There is no coursework involved in this subject.

Introduction to Sociology

What is sociology?
 1. The study of society, large groups of people and individuals.
2. It studies how and why people behave the way they do in society
3. Looks at how structures such as family and Government influence human behaviour
4. A social science which uses research to investigate and predict human behaviour to help governments
improve the lives of its citizens
5. A critical and radical subject, it is about questioning why society is as it is. It is about digging under the
surface, looking at what is really going on.
Is sociology for me?
Yes, if you’re interested in questions like these…

Are children and

Why are some
young people
people rich and Are people
treated unfairly in
some people successful because
society?
poor? of their background
or how hard they
work?
Why are some
of the hardest
Why are a large
jobs poorly
proportion of MPs
paid?
white, male and from
Would the world be private schools?
happier if there was
just one religion?

Sociology isNOT...

 An easy subject
 Just common sense
 Wishy-washy and unscientific
 Psychology

What questions do sociologists explore?

One of the question sociologists focus on is how we are all able to live amongst each other, side by side
with people that are different to us. Around the picture, write down what you think contributes to our
 ability to live harmoniously with one another despite our differences. Writing your thoughts around the
image below, reflect upon what also may cause us to not live harmoniously because of our differences.

We explore many of the following questions throughout the duration of A-level Sociology.

1. To what extent is the individual shaped by society?

2. Is there such a thing as a social structure that constrains individual action, or is society nothing
more than a figment of our imaginations?
3. To what extent does our social class background affect our life chances?
4. To what extent does our gender affect our life chances?
5. To what extent does our ethnicity affect our life chances?
6. What is the role of institutions in society – do they perform positive functions, or simply work in the
interests of the powerful and against the powerless? (a related question here is why do our life chances
vary by class, gender and ethnicity)
7. How and why has British society changed over the last 50 years?
8. What are the strengths and Limitations of macro-scale research in helping us to understand human
action?
9. What are the strengths and limitations of micro-scale research in helping us to understand human
action?
10. Is it possible to do value free social research and find out the ‘objective’ knowledge about society
and the motives that lie behind social action?
11. Is British Society today better than it was 400 years ago?

Below, write the sociological question you have picked at random and have a go at answering it. You may
wish to use any prior knowledge and understanding, or may simply guess!
Question:

My thoughts:

What kind of sociologist will you be?

1. The defining characteristic of human behaviour is:
A) Their gender/ sex
B) Their social class
C) Their Race
D) Their integration into society
E) Their culture

2. We have the freedom to choose our own behaviour

A) Yes
B) No
C) Depends
D) Doesn’t matter
E) What is freedom?

3. What are your views on the family….

A) Family is oppressive to women and teaches us to conform to gender roles
B) Family is a tool of the ruling class teaching us to obey authority
C) Family is a vital part of socialisation that teaches us norms and values
D) Family is what you make it, everyone has a different view on it
E) Family – what is a family? You can’t define it

4. When it comes to inequality

A) Gender is the most serious issue!
B) Money and power the rich exploit the poor!
C) Inequality is normal part of society
D) Inequality is a label that has different meanings to people
E) You make your own reality up

5. When it comes to Crime

A) The justice system is more lenient on women
B) Criminal laws protect the rich and powerful
C) Crime is good for society as it reminds us of the rules
D) Crimes are actions labelled as wrong to influence our behaviour
E) Crime – what is a crime? Can we really define what a crime is?

6. When it comes to religion

A) Religion oppresses and controls women – telling us to cover up and be obedient
B) Religion is a tool used by those with power to control us
C) Religion is a useful institution which unites people who share a common set of beliefs
D) Religion means different things to different people
E) Religion is just another meta-narrative (big story) people use to explain reality

What kind of sociologist will you be - results!

Mostly A – A Feminist

You are most likely to turn into our Feminist Sue Sharpe. Feminism looks at how society is
structured in a way that benefits men while oppressing women – this is known as
patriarchy (male domination.). The theory is often a misunderstood as stereotypes and
misconceptions about it exists. Many people do not realise that there are several types of
feminism such as black, radical feminism and liberal.

Mostly B – A Marxist

You are most likely to turn into Karl Marx. Marxism looks at how society is constructed is a
way that produces class conflict with the rich having all the power and control whilst the
poor are oppressed. Marx argues that the root cause of class inequality is down to
capitalism as it encourages people to be greedy and materialistic. Just as capitalism
replaced feudalism, Marx argues that capitalism will one day be replaced with communism

Mostly C- A Functionalist

You are most likely to turn into Emile Durkheim. Functionalism is theory which argues that
members of society are united together by a shared set of idea and beliefs called ‘norms’
(normal behaviour.) These norms are accepted by all members in society and are enforced
by structures such as family and education. They see society like a human body – with all
parts needed in order for it to ‘function’ and work effectively.

Mostly D- A interactionist

You are most likely to turn into Becker/ Mead. Interactionism looks at how people create
meaning during social interactions, how they present and construct the self (or identity) as
well as how they define situations. One of the perspectives key ideas is that people act the
way they do because of how they define situations. Becker uses the example of nudity to
illustrate how timing, place and audience can influence how people see an action or idea.

Mostly E – A post-modernist

You are most likely to turn into Foucault. Post-modernism is a more recent Sociological
theory which seeks to question and de-construct existing structures and understandings of
reality. Post modernism rejects the idea that one theory such as functionalism,
Utilitarianism, religion or even science can explain reality!
Theory is extremely import when it comes to study A-Level Sociology. Using the links/resources at the end
of the booklet, introduce yourself to the key theories we will be exploring by doing the following tasks.
 Sociology of Education

Education is an institution sociologists explore to identify the following

 What is the purpose of education?

 Why do some pupils achieve more than others?
 Why do people experience school differently based on their gender, class and ethnicity?
 How has the government contributed to the education system?

Purpose of school
Why do we have schools? What is their purpose to society?
Think of 5 reasons why schools exist in society and rank them from 1-5 in terms of importance.
Think of the following reasons to help you…

To get qualifications To make friends To learn about authority To learn manners

To be a better person To get a job To keep young people To help with childcare
out of crime

1.
Importan
t

2.

3.

4.

5. Least
Importan
t
Boy vs. Girls – Who does better and why?

Instructions: Create two lists from the subjects below based on who you think does better at SATs and
GCSEs.

Boys Girls

Subjects:
English, Maths, Design, Technology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Art, Languages, Sociology,
Business Studies

Overall, why do you think girls tend to do better than boys at GCSE?

Do you think this trend is changing? What has contributed to this change?

Here is a recent article discussing reasons for boys underachievement in school -

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/boys-don-t-try-why-so-many-male-students-are-falling-behind-at-
school-1.4044122
 Sociology of Crime and Deviance

In your second year of studying sociology at A-Level, one topic you will look at is crime and deviance (a very
popular topic!!). The sociology of crime and deviance is about rules and rules breaking. For example,
sociologists are interested in who breaks rules and why they do so, why some groups are more likely to be
rule breakers – or more likely to be seen as rule breakers - and who makes and enforces the rules.
What is meant by the term ‘crime’?

What is meant by the term ‘deviance’?

Extension activity: Fill in the gaps of the sentences below

Deviant behaviour does not ________ to the _______ and _______ of society. Norms are
the _________ rules for behaviour and are based on values where we decided what is good
and right in society.

values conform norms unwritten

Activity 3: Crime/deviance/both?

Deviant but not

criminal

Criminal and
Deviant

Criminal but not deviant

Activity 4: Deviance as a socially constructed
Instructions: Complete the grid below to demonstrate your understanding of deviance as a
relative concept.
Action When might this be a When or where might What kind of deviant
deviant act? this be considered act is this?
acceptable?

When you’re in When you’re in the

E.g. Being naked Situational
public! shower

Setting fire to
someone’s pudding

Breaking someone’s
nose

Spraying pepper spray

in someone’s face

Carrying a gun

Executing someone

Drinking alcohol

Skateboarding down
the street

Labelling theory and crime

Labelling is one explanation as to why some people go onto and commit crime. It simply refers to how
individuals respond to being negatively labelled by individuals and institutions in society, consequently
causing them to go and break the law.

Think about labelling a person a criminal, what could some

potential consequences be by doing that? (Think about their job,
friendships, family relationships)

How could these consequences cause an increase in crime?

Sociological application – access the following link and apply key research to support labelling theory
and crime - https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/labelling-theory-explained
 Social Control & Surveillance in Late Modernity
How is our behaviour controlled in society? Read the article and make notes in the box below, as well as
include your own ideas and thoughts…
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/13/the-guardian-view-on-surveillance-big-brother-is-not-
the-only-watcher-now

There are mechanisms which society uses to deal with deviance which then maintains social order. Identify
which of the above fit into either formal or informal social control.

Formal Informal

What is Late-Modernity and how does it link to crime?

Garland argues that in late modernity there is a ‘culture of control’. This involves the government
identifying certain groups that represent a danger to society and intervening at an early stage to change
the way these risk groups think and act.

Who might these people be?

 Michel Foucault – The Birth of the Prison and the rise of Surveillance

Punishment used to be violent, carried out on the body and it used to be done in public. Whereas now
punishment is psychological, it expects people to change the way they think, and it is carried out via
prisons, behind closed doors. This reflects a shift from sovereign power (controlling people through the
threat of force) to disciplinary power (controlling people through surveillance and expecting people to
change their own behaviour). For example, prisoners are locked away and monitored, and change their
own behaviour because they know they are being watched.

This logic of control now extends to everyone (even non-criminals), surveillance is now everywhere in
society; it is not just criminals who are under surveillance by agents of social control. We are under
surveillance from cradle to grave – school, work, pregnancy, child-birth, on the streets and roads, our
health data. Most people now subconsciously obey the rules because they know they are being watched.
This is because they regulate their own behaviour for fear of becoming the ‘wrong kind of person’.

Foucault argues we therefore live in a Panopticon!

Bauman and Lyon discuss the idea that we surveillance ourselves. We purchase gadgets that essentially
allow people (the government and other organisations) to watch our every move. This makes our lives
increasingly transparent, to the point that surveillance becomes invisible to us, we are not conscious of
being under surveillance. Bauman and Lyon believe that this is changing the given belief of ‘right to privacy’
into ‘if people have nothing to hide, then they should have nothing to fear.’ Therefore the increase and
change in surveillance is one of the most dominant sources of social control in society today.
What can you do to surveillance yourself/others?
A contemporary example of this is the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (AKA the Snooper Charter), a bill
which was passed in November 2016 after the Queens royal assent. This bill is a new law that gives the UK
police and security agencies massive powers to collect, analyse and look at our private communications
and Internet use. This information can be analysed without a warrant and Government departments, like
the Department of Work and Pensions, can look at this data too. The bill enables the police and
intelligence agencies to hack into your phone or computer, even if are not suspected of a crime for this to
happen.

Think like a detective! How could the snooper charter prevent the following crimes:

Terrorism

Hate crime

Drug trafficking

Rioting
 Why might the snooper charter not work accurately to prevent the above crimes, or any other types of
crimes?

Is the increase in surveillance necessary in reducing crime? Or should we all still have an element of
privacy in our lives?

The government first need authorisation

to monitor someone more closely, and
they need viable, credible information Data collected would include
available as to why. information including who you
call on your mobile phone, and
where you are calling from, and
to whom and when you sent
Facts about the Snooper emails.
As well as communications data charter
being stored, intelligence
agencies will also be able to
It will also include internet
obtain and use "bulk personal
browsing history and content –
datasets". These mass data sets
The snooper charter was what you searched, where you
mostly include a "majority of
proposed by Teresa May searched it and how (IP address
individuals" that aren't
after Edward Snowden’s or mobile phone)
suspected in any wrongdoing
revelation of numerous
but have been swept-up in the
unlawful global surveillance
data collection.
programs by the NSA.
 Beliefs in Society

Name the religion

During the topic of beliefs in society, we explore the following questions:

What is religion?

Why might society be becoming less religious?

Why might the number of fundamentalist groups be increasing?

In what ways is football similar to religion?

Can you really be religious if you don’t regularly attend collective Acts of Worship?

Definitions of religion
1. Substantive: A belief in God or a supernatural person, being or power that cannot be explained by
science.
2. Functional: Religion performs social and psychological functions that allow for social integration
(people to get along together in the world). Belief in the supernatural is not necessary.
3. Constructionist: Religion is the meaning that individuals themselves give to it. Religion is socially
constructed.
Groups and organisations
Research the following groups and organisations using the link provided and created a small summary
sheet for each.

Hare Krishna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B7va6PqEns
http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2005/06/21/hare_krishna_movement_feat
ure.shtml
Jim Jones – People’s Temple
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HTtLHgU9tY
The Moonies/Unification Church
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEEH7ywnr7c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1qAfhF1RsY
Pentecostalism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TxnfOxeIjg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Ep0WHAsIY
Scientology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzAPbr1_uGY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Wx2M7a5Wg
Look for South park episode on Scientology
 How to get a head start in A-Level Sociology

As a sociology student you will also be expected to keep up to date with the news and current events –
research a social issue that interests you!

1. Explain what why that particular issue (what interests you about it?)
2. Create a media collage of articles on your issue and annotate them
3. Apply what the theories might say about the issue!
4. Any research or policy laws which deals with your issue? Name and explain them!

Watch some TV!

Sociology is everywhere, so you’ll be able to see aspects of it in all forms of media. Try searching for the
following titles and make notes on any videos you watch, try to keep it relevant to the topics taught in
Sociology (see above).
• School Swap documentary
• Stacey Dooley documentaries

(BBC iPlayer/YouTube)
• Black Mirror (Netflix)
• Reggie Yates documentaries
• Dispatches documentaries (4OD)
• Panorama documentaries (BBC iPlayer)

Useful resources to help you on your way!

It is also recommended that you take an

active interest in the news and what is
going on around you in the wider world as
a lot of the concepts and ideas covered in
lessons will relate to what is going on. The
ability to be able to draw upon
contemporary examples will also help
illustrate your application and
understanding skills which will be vital in
order for you to achieve the higher grades
in this subject.
Websites:
• AQA New Specification – http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/sociology/as-and-alevel/sociology-7191-
7192/introduction
• AQA - Example Assessment Material -http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/sociology/as -anda-
level/sociology-7191-7192/assessment-resources
• S-Cool Revision Materials - http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology
• Every Day Sexism Project -http://everydaysexism.com/index.php/about
• Who Needs Feminism - http://whoneedsfeminism.com/about.html
• He for She Campaign - http://www.heforshe.org/
• https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference http://politybooks.com/kenbrowne/resources.asp
• https://napierpress.com/book-one-workbooks
• https://napierpress.com/book-two-workbooks
• http://www.earlhamsociologypages.co.uk
• https://www.sociologystuff.com

Well done! You’re all set ready to embark on your Sociology A Level course.
We look forward to seeing you in September!