CHRISTOPHER WHITEHEAD
LANGUAGE COLLEGE AND SIXTH FORM
WELCOME TO CWLC SIXTH FORM!
FREYA HARRAD | SIXTH FORM STUDENT
I choose to study Sociology as I was interested in how the world and society functioned and why people behave the way they do. Initially I thought about studying Psychology but found the essay-based nature of sociology was better suited to my skill set. Not only do we study interesting topics such as crime and deviance within sociology, every lesson is always different meaning that we are always engaged. Sociology has changed the way that I view society as a whole and has given a set of skills which will doubtless help me beyond sixth form.
WHY CHOOSE A-LEVEL SOCIOLOGY?
‘Sociology challenges your perceptions about the world in which we live and makes you question why society functions in the way in which it does’ Caitlin Kenney – Year 12 student.
As the study of human social relationships and institutions, Sociology will help you to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the complex social world in which we live. Throughout your time studying A-level Sociology, you will look at a range of accounts of how society functions (or doesn’t) such as functionalism, Marxism and Feminism. The role of education and the family will be studied, and students will critically assess how these institutions shape the way we experience the world in a wider context (for better or worse). Students will question key concepts such as differential educational achievement, traditional family structures, the extent of poverty and the north/south divide within the UK and why some groups are more likely to commit crime than others.
WHY STUDY A-LEVEL SOCIOLOGY AT CWLC?
Sociology is taught by teachers who have a real interest in the subject. They are experienced A level tutors and are also A level examiners. Results are consistently good, and 2023 was no exception, with 69% of students achieving A*-B and 100% A*-E. One student gained full marks for paper 2.
Studying Sociology at A Level, allows students to develop a greater awareness of the social issues which impact their everyday lives. In lessons, students can expect to critically analyse, debate and evaluate, social institutions within contemporary society. Teachers will facilitate discussion, but students should bring an enthusiasm for current affairs.
The Department has formed excellent links with local universities, including Birmingham City, Aston and The University of Worcester. Through our enrichment programme, students have attended master classes on the Sociology of names, taken part in lectures which examine the usefulness of criminal profiling, to bring killers such as BTK to justice and been taught by past students undertaking doctorates in Forensic Criminology.
WHAT COULD YOU DO NEXT?
Whilst many of our students go on to study either a degree in Sociology, or an allied subject such as Criminology or Psychology at university, the skills learnt at A Level, are highly transferable and those who undertake the subject, learn how to work independently, formulate an argument, work in collaboration with others and extract key information. Whilst this list is not exhaustive, Sociology A level would be useful for the following careers: The Police Service, The Probation Service, Social Work and the Caring Professions, Teaching, Human Resources, Analyst, Nursing, Midwifery and Research Assistant.