GCE AS and A level Sociology Subject Content - Introduction - Aims and Objectives - Skills and Themes

Sep 5, 2026

GCE AS and A level Sociology subject content outlines shared knowledge, understanding and transferable skills across specifications. The study is oriented to contemporary society and builds students’ critical, reflective awareness while respecting social diversity. Learners develop understanding of social structure and social action, connect sociological debate to theoretical concepts, and evaluate methodology and research methods through active involvement. The programme covers key themes in sociology, plus evidence collection, interpretation, evaluation and coherent presentation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Aims and objectives

Subject content

Knowledge and understanding

Methods of sociological enquiry

Themes

Skills

Collection and recording of evidence

Interpretation and evaluation of evidence

Presentation of evidence and argument

Additional requirements

GCE AS and A level subject content for sociology Introduction 1. AS and A level subject content sets out the knowledge, understanding and skills common to all AS and A level specifications in sociology. Aims and objectives 2. The study of A level sociology must focus on contemporary society. Studying sociology must foster the development of critical and reflective thinking with a respect for social diversity. It must provide an awareness of the importance of social structure and social action in explaining social issues. Students must be encouraged to develop their own sociological awareness through active engagement with the contemporary social world. 3. AS and A level specifications in sociology must encourage students to: 􀁸 acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of contemporary social processes and social changes 􀁸 appreciate the significance of theoretical and conceptual issues in sociological debate 􀁸 understand and evaluate sociological methodology and a range of research methods through active involvement in the research process 􀁸 develop skills that enable individuals to focus on their personal identity , roles and responsibilities within society 􀁸 develop a lifelong interest in social issues Subject content 4. AS and A level specifications in sociology must provide students with an awareness of social structure and social action which emphasises different interpretations of social experiences. The specifications must build on skills established at GCSE but must not exclude students studying sociology for the first time. Knowledge and understanding The nature of sociological thought 5. AS and A level specifications will require students to study the following concepts and theoretical issues: 􀁸 social order, social control 􀁸 social change 􀁸 conflict and consensus 􀁸 social structure and social action 􀁸 the role of values 􀁸 the relationship between sociology and contemporary social policy Methods of sociological enquiry 6. AS and A level specifications will require students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of methods and sources of data and to understand the relationship between theory and methods, particularly the way sociologists deal with: 􀁸 the collection of primary and secondary data 􀁸 the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate concepts 􀁸 factors influencing the design and conduct of sociological research 􀁸 practical, ethical and theoretical issues arising in sociological research Themes 7. AS and A level specifications will require students to study two themes: 􀁸 socialisation, culture and identity 􀁸 social differentiation, power and stratification 8. The themes must be understood and applied to a range of particular substantive areas of sociology, in a global context where appropriate. However, these themes are to be interpreted broadly as threads running through many areas of social life and should not therefore necessarily be regarded as discrete topics. For example, the theme of ‘socialisation, culture and identity’ might be addressed through aspects of ‘families’ but equally through aspects of the ‘the media’ or ‘youth culture’. Similarly, the theme of ‘social differentiation, power and stratification’ might be addressed through aspects of ‘social class’ but equally through aspects of ‘gender’. Skills 9. In order to demonstrate the skills outlined in this section, students must relate them to their sociological knowledge and understanding, as specified in sections 5 , 6, 7 and 8. Collection and recording of evidence* 10. AS and A level specifications will require students to demonstrate their ability to: 􀁸 analyse and evaluate the design of sociological investigations 􀁸 analyse and evaluate the method(s) used in these investigations to collect and record evidence 11. This could be achieved by students designing and conducting sociological investigation. Interpretation and evaluatio

FAQs

What is the main focus of A level sociology study?

It must focus on contemporary society and develop critical, reflective thinking that respects social diversity. It also builds awareness of how social structure and social action explain social issues.

Which major knowledge and theoretical issues must students study?

Students study concepts such as social order and social control, social change, conflict and consensus, social structure and social action, the role of values, and the relationship between sociology and contemporary social policy.

What skills are required for collecting, interpreting, and presenting evidence?

Students must analyze and evaluate sociological investigations, distinguish facts from opinions and value judgements, interpret qualitative and quantitative data, and organize evidence to communicate coherent arguments supported by theory and conclusions.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Jordan Avery