Teacher endorsements
Solid grounding in Sociology
The new AQA AS and A-level Sociology specification offers an excellent, solid grounding in the subject combined with topical updates that will help teachers fire the sociological imagination of their students.
The integration of theoretical perspectives and research methods into the teaching of topics is a key strength of this specification, and the BSA especially welcomes the inclusion of research methods and education as compulsory elements.
It is particularly good to see an increased emphasis on globalisation, migration, and work in the AQA specification, which reflect major social and policy issues. This will help teachers demonstrate the dynamism, everyday relevance and workplace applications of sociology which will inspire students and attract them to the subject we love.
Well done AQA!
Judith Mudd
Chief Executive, The British Sociological Association
Clear assessment structure
We are pleased that the topic of suicide can be used to illustrate debates but is no longer a component of Crime and Deviance and is in a more appropriate section of the specification – Theory and Methods; assessment and associated materials look clear and skills more transparent and explicit; co-teachability appears to have been worked through and would be manageable for our Centre.
Sarah Palmer
Head of Sociology, Colchester Sixth Form College
Familiar but updated content
The new specification is accessible to all teachers as the content for the course has had very little change to it. The links to today’s society and the global world is really important and it is good to see this emphasised in the new specification.
The removal of methods in context for the crime topic means that there is less repetition of skills and more time can be spent on the delivery of content. Also, the removal of the topic suicide in the crime paper has meant that more time can be spent on the other crime topics.
The standardisation of the marks of questions within the different units is also a refreshing change and means that the students will be able to get a thorough grasp on exam requirements.
Lydia Rushton
Head of Department (Sociology and Psychology), Salford City College
Continuity with improvement
The new specification is appealing because it maintains a continuity with what has gone before. There are no surprises and the content covers a range of choices. However there are also new developments which reflect a changing world and keep the subject relevant to contemporary society. There are still many options to choose from which means I will be able to tailor the course to my students’ interests.
The assessment of students is also much clearer. There are clearly defined skills and students will be able to understand what is required in each question because there are clear instruction words. All students will understand what they need to do in particular questions. The differences between AS and A-Level are also clear and the issues around co-teach ability have been resolved.
Our centre has decided to take the new AQA syllabus because it will give all our students a clear understanding of the importance of Sociology in society today and a great foundation for their future lives.
Stephen Gregory
Clitheroe Royal Grammar