Sociology GCSE Course

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain a GCSE in Sociology. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning GCSE Sociology is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for an exam or career through home study. What's more, because the distance learning GCSE Sociology course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

What is Sociology?

• Sociology is the study of people in society. It examines people as social beings on the individual, group and societal level. It can be defined as: ‘the scientific study of human social life, groups and societies.’

• Sociology is thus a social science (like psychology or anthropology), rather than a physical one (such as physics, chemistry or biology). It is the task of the sociologist to unravel how ‘nurture’ or ‘social’ factors (rather than ‘nature’ (or genetic, biological or inherited factors, as in the study of biology) influence people at the level of the individual, group or wider society.

• Sociologists consider how social and socially-influenced factors, such as family, education, ethnicity, social class and gender can play a part in shaping individual identities.

• Sociologists also consider group behaviour. For example, a sociologist may study how an office team work, or how people’s behaviour is affected by those of their colleagues or work associates. They may also question how factors such as gender or class influence our behaviours as individuals and in group contexts.

• Sociologists also study society-at-large, and may consider the correlations between factors such as ethnicity or class, for example, and participation in wider structures such as government or education.

Course Key Topics

The Sociology GCSE Course covers the entire syllabus in 20 lessons, which include the following topics:

Module 1: What is Sociology? (1)
Module 2: What is Sociology? (2)
Module 3: The Family (1)
Module 4: The Family (2)
Tutor-marked Assignment A

Module 5: Education (1)
Module 6: Education (2)
Module 7: Stratification (1)
Module 8: Stratification (2)
Tutor-marked Assignment B

Module 9: The Welfare State
Module 10: Poverty (1)
Module 11: Poverty (2)
Tutor-marked Assignment C

Module 12: Politics (1)
Module 13: Politics (2)
Module 14: Work
Module 15: Unemployment
Tutor-marked Assignment D

Module 16: Population (1)
Module 17: Population (2)
Module 18: Urbanisation
Tutor-marked Assignment E

Module 19: Social Control
Module 20: Deviance
Tutor-marked Assignment F

Supplement: Project Work

Home Study Tutor Support

Effective learning is encouraged through frequent activities and self-assessment questions. The Scoiology GCSE course does not require students to submit coursework.

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete your course of study. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact a Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

You have a lot of resources to help you in your studies; your course blue file, your textbook, internet resources and your tutor. You should make good use of your tutor to help you with any difficulties that you may have during the course especially at the start and there is extra material in the student support portal.

Course Assessments

Self-Assessment Tests
Every lesson is concluded with either a Self-Assessment Test or a Tutor Marked Assignment. Only tackle these when you feel that you have fully mastered the material in the lesson. If it is a Self-Assessment Test, first try to check your answers by referring back to the lesson, and then compare your answers with those given right at the end of the lesson.

Tutor-Marked Assignments
After every two lessons there is a Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA). These are in GCSE examination style and will thoroughly check your understanding of the previous two lessons. You should send your answers to your tutor, who will return your marked script, together with a set of suggested answers.

Revision
Do not leave all your revision until the end of the course! You will need to revise thoroughly for your examination, but frequent revision throughout the course is essential. Plan your revision sensibly, and re-read as you feel necessary, if your knowledge is beginning to fade.

Examinations

Our GCSE Sociology course prepares students for AQA GCSE Sociology  syllabus 4190 for exams in 2011 and and later years. Assessment is by two written papers (50% each). We have chosen these specifications as the ones best suited to distance learning.

Within the 4190 specification, there are two choices, as follows:

Sociology (Short Course) 4191

Unit 1: Studying Society; Education; Families (41901)
Written Paper – 1 hour 30 mins 90 marks – 100%
Candidates answer all questions in all three sections.

Sociology (Full Course) 4192
Unit 1: Studying Society; Education; Families (41901)
Written Paper – 1 hour 30 mins 90 marks – 50%
Candidates answer all questions in all three sections.
plus
Unit 2: Crime and Deviance; Mass Media; Power; Social
Inequality (41902)
Written Paper – 1 hour 30 mins 90 marks – 50%
Candidates choose three sections from four section options
Candidates answer all questions in each chosen section.

What's Included? What do I get when I enrol?

Your course fee covers everything you will need to successfully complete the Sociology home study course and earn your GCSE:

1. All textbooks, study folders, and/or online learning aids designed for distance learning
2. A full range of student services, including:

• Tutor marked assessments (TMAs)
• Access to the online student portal (Student Chat, Forums and Online Support Resources)
• NUS Extra Card (discounted membership)
• Comprehensive Study Guide & Study Plan
• Guide to Effective Study Techniques
• How to approach exams without fear

3. An accredited award upon successful course completion directly from the awarding body AQA
4. One year's educational support by e-mail, post, fax or phone
5. Free postage and packaging for UK mainland students

COURSE RESOURCES

All of the vital material you need for this course is contained within the twenty lessons. However, you will find that your knowledge of the study of society is considerably broadened by carrying out some additional reading.

One text may cover your supplementary reading. It is:

M. Haralambos & F.K.E. Smith: Sociology: a New Approach 
(Causeway Press, 3rd ed.) (ISBN: 978-1873929551)

We strongly recommend that you buy or borrow this publication since it will amplify all the topics that we cover. It
is structured around stimulus material and a series of questions based on this. Working through some of the
questions will help you prepare for your examination. There is also an answer book available.

The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course.  This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Sociology and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.