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Sociology AS/A2
Examination Board: AQA (2190)
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the study of society and the people that live in it. Sociologists will look at the way in which
society is made up and how people react to it. They will also look at how this has changed over time and place.
For example: “Is the family a universal institution?”
Sociologists will look at and study the different institutions in society and see how they interact together.
Sociological theories will then explain the various functions these institutions play in society.
Why study Sociology?
Sociology is a widely respected subject at advanced subsidiary and advanced level. It is highly valued by
universities not only for its academic rigour, but also because it demands the learning of many important
transferable skills, useful across the curriculum and beyond.
The study of sociology is both interesting and enjoyable to those students who possess an enquiring mind. It
will appeal to those who want to know what is happening in the world today and to those who are interested in
how society has changed over time and place. Much more pertinent, however, is the sociological background,
which will equip students with the necessary skills to debate and argue logically in all other subjects.
At AS and at A2 level, the content of the course will particularly complement subjects such as Geography,
Home Economics, Maths, English, History, and Religious Studies due to the social research involved, the use
of statistics and the ability to be able to write in a coherent and structured way. In fact it can also be combined
with almost any other subject to add breadth to the curriculum. This is an important consideration if students
are looking to add an extra AS subject to the ones already chosen to be taken through to A2 level.
AS outline
At AS, candidates studying this specification will acquire knowledge of contemporary social processes and
social changes. Candidates will be encouraged to develop their own sociological awareness through active
engagement with the contemporary social world.
The AS specification has 2 units:
Unit 1: Culture and Identity; Families and Households; Wealth, Poverty and
Welfare
Topic list
• Culture and Identity
• Families and Households
• Wealth, Poverty and Welfare.
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