As Level Sociology Introduction (with Research Activities)

Introduction

First of all congratulations for embarking upon a thoroughly modern and rapidly developing subject. At this moment there are nearly 30,000 other students doing A Level Sociology and nearly as many studying sociology in universities at degree level. So what do these people with these qualifications in sociology do? These are varied and include:

teaching

research

social and care work

work in the media

personnel

law

journalism

police

and much more!

In this sense, sociologists are not unusual or unique. Sociology is an excellent route into a variety of jobs and as you will find throughout the course, you will develop skills such as evaluation, research, analytical and critical thinking that are useful for many things besides simply passing exams and gaining certificates. It is also interesting that in the professional training needed to become a police officer, doctor, researcher, social-worker, personnel/human resource manager or teacher you would also have to learn aspects of sociology, so some of you may already be getting a head start in these careers!

What Is Sociology?

If you tell people you study a subject like history, maths or biology they’re unlikely to say ‘What’s that?’ However, tell someone you are studying sociology and you will probably have to explain what it is.

Sociology comes from two words - ‘SOCIO’ referring to society and ‘-LOGY’ meaning science.

Therefore sociology literally means the SCIENCE OF SOCIETY. MORE SPECIFIC, SOCIOLOGY IS THE STUDY OF PEOPLE IN SOCIETY.

This is because as sociologists we are interested in the effect society has on us as individuals. As humans we are SOCIAL BEINGS not just individuals with our own separate lives. OUR LIVES ARE SHARED WITH OTHERS AND SHAPED BY THE SOCIETY IN WHICH WE LIVE. To demonstrate the fact that we are not simply isolated individuals but shaped by the society in which we live, look at the following activity.

Activity:

In groups, list some of...