GCSE Sociology

GCSE Sociology

The GCSE Sociology course might be a first step to a career in the caring professions, education, the media or the criminal justice system. Sociology is the study of society, looking at the way people's behaviour, beliefs and identity are shaped and at the role of social institutions such as the media, education, religion, the law and families. 

Through the GCSE Sociology course you will learn about types of social relations and different aspects of the structure of British society. Your sociology studies will look at the nature of society and at the roles of education and families. You will also study crime, mass media, social inequality and power.

GCSE Sociology aims to develop your understanding of the interdependence between individuals, groups, institutions and societies, and of the nature and significance of cooperation and conflict, continuity and change.

You will be encouraged to analyse critically the nature and source of information and to base judgements and arguments on evidence and this will make a valuable contribution to the development of your transferable study skills.

Entry Requirements

You don't need any previous experience or qualifications to enrol in our GCSE Sociology course. That's because we believe in making home study - and a rewarding future - as accessible as possible. 

Where will I go from here?

The study of sociology is of benefit in almost all careers where you will be dealing with people, and is a useful first step for careers in the caring professions, education, the media or the criminal justice system.

The GCSE Sociology is a solid foundation for those looking to study A-Level Sociology or A-Levels such as Psychology, Law, Economics, Media Studies or Health and Social Care.

What will I gain?

This course will prepare you to sit the AQA GCSE Sociology exam.

Assessment

ICS Assessment

7 x tutor marked test papers

External Assessment

  • Exams take place every June
  • First examination series is June 2011
  • This is for the full course route based on the 4190 specification
  • The final GCSE exam consists of two 90 minute papers set and marked by AQA.
  • Each paper is worth 90 marks (50%)
  • Paper 1  (41901) will test the areas of Studying Society, Education and Families and will contain three compulsory topic areas:
  • Topic 1: candidates should answer all questions
  • Topics 2 and 3: candidates should answer six compulsory questions and one question from a choice of two
  • Paper 2 (41902) will test the areas of Crime and Deviance, Mass Media, Power, Social Inequality (Stratification), and candidates must choose three topic areas from four options.
  • For each topic area chosen:
  • Candidates should answer 6 compulsory questions and one question from a choice of two.

Please note that you are responsible for making your own exam arrangements. You will have to pay an examination fee as well as a centre fee which will vary depending on exam centre.

Find out more information about arranging your examinations

 

What will I get?

Because we're experts in home learning, ICS knows about and offers all the support you need along the way.  You'll receive study materials that have been specially designed for distance learning, and have access to tutors both online and over the phone.

You'll also be part of the ICS Online Student Community, where you'll have access to library materials and your account information, as well as vital links with your fellow students.

Study Period

12 months

Support period

12 months

Course code

G70

Course cost

£379.00

Additional fees

Please note that centre exam fees are additional to your course fees and these costs may vary according to the exam centre you use.

Find out more information about arranging your examinations

See your course content

Our Sociology GCSE course prepares students for AQA GCSE Sociology syllabus (4190), for exams in 2012 and later years.

Studying society

  • You will learn the distinctiveness of the sociological approach and introduced to the central terms and concepts used in sociology. You will learn about research processes and instruments such as social survey, questionnaire and interview. The course will explain the value and limitation of official statistics and opinion polls and teach you to make elementary deductions from diagrams, maps, tables and graphs. You will also learn to plan a simple research project, with regard to ethical issues

Education

  • You will learn about the present structure of the education system and gain an understanding of debates about faith schools, testing, special needs and alternative forms of educational provision. You will learn about the variations in educational achievement related to class, gender and ethnicity, and about a range of influences such as parental values, peer groups, school ethos, streaming, labelling, teacher expectation and cultural and ethnic background. The various functions education is expected to fulfil will also be looked at, and you will learn about education as a political issue.

Families

  • You will define 'family' and learn the diverse forms of the family in Britain today, with an awareness of the effect of cultural diversity, migration and changing work patterns. You will learn to look at changes in the nature of family structures and within them, with the different roles of family members. You will learn to describe and explain the changes in the pattern of divorce in Britain since 1945 and have a basic knowledge of contemporary family-related issues.

Crime and deviance

  • You will learn about the concepts of crime and deviance and the ways in which people are encouraged to conform to formal and informal social rules. You will look at the social distribution of crime, with reference to class, age, gender, ethnicity and locality and learn to outline different sociological explanations of criminal and deviant behaviour. You'll learn the significance of criminal and deviant behaviour for victims, communities and society in general and look at some of the public debate about this and at the nature and significance of social problems.

Mass media

  • You will learn to identify and describe the mass media and its significance in society and in the development of political and social identities and views. You will also look at the mass media as a source of power for those who own and/or control it and at the significance of developments such as the internet.

Power

  • You will gain a basic understanding of the role of citizens in the political process in Britain and learn the opportunities for and limitations on participation in the political process, from local up to national level. You will look at what might increase or lower the chances of such participation being successful and learn how factors such as age, gender, ethnicity and class influence the pattern of political participation and the distribution of political authority and power. You will learn how governments have attempted to alleviate social problems and to describe the different political positions in debates about the Welfare State.

Stratification (Social inequality)

  • You will learn about stratification as involving the unequal distribution of wealth, income, status and power, and as involving class, ethnicity, gender, age and religion. You will learn different sociological explanations of poverty and be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of these explanations. You will gain an understanding of major debates about stratification, such as whether Britain is becoming a meritocracy/classless society and whether class inequalities and divisions have become less significant than inequalities and division based on gender, ethnicity or age.

You can either pay for your course in full or opt for a monthly payment plan.

Standard Course Fee: £379

Or speak to one of our course advisors now for payment plans.

 

Please note that you are responsible for making your own exam arrangements. You will have to pay an examination fee as well as a centre fee which will vary depending on exam centre.

Find out more information about arranging your examinations.