The coursework is worth 30% of the A2 marks, or 15% of the total A level. It is worth putting a lot of effort into it, because you can get easily get very high marks - near 100% is quite common, so it is easier to do well than in the examined units. This is because there is no exam stress, you have a lot more time, and you can have lots of guidance in completing it.

This is what the specification says about coursework:

"Candidates are required to submit a sociological study before the final written examination. The study is an opportunity for candidates to carry out an analysis using primary and/or secondary data to investigate a subject of sociological interest. The study must be based on one or more topics from the specification and it is strongly recommended that it should not exceed 3500 words in length. It is assessed by the teacher and moderated by AQA."

This just about says it all, but you should look at the specification itself, via the link below. In particular, look at page 37, which gives you the sections which he project must contain. More importantly, keep referring to pages 39 - 44; these are the mark schemes (one for if you are using primary data, and one for secondary data). They will simplify the job of gaining a very high grade - not consulting them closely (print them off!)and understanding them (ask!!) will be about the dumbest thing you can do.

We will be working together on each section of the project, for which there will be strict deadlines: see the calendar for details. We will work together in class as usual. The deadline for the first draft will be Friday 2nd. February 2003.

The final deadline for the completed project is Friday 11th. April 2003. There can be no exceptions to this apart from serious problems such as certificated illness or bereavement. "The computer crashed and I lost my work" is not good enough! Missing this one is like missing an exam.

Enough of the admin - let's get started!

CHOOSING A TOPIC

1. Choosing the correct topic is quite important, as you need to be working on something that will sustain your interest over the next few weeks; and more importantly, something that can actually be done and will yield results. On the other hand, don't agonise over the perfect choice - your project have to be a work of art, and you will need to get started with the context so as not to get left behind.
   • Think about the topics, issues, concepts, and studies that we have already covered on the course. Is there something that grabbed your attention? Was there something that seemed true and significant; or maybe that you disagreed with?
   • If you like, have a look at the other units on the course - either the Stratification & Differentiation unit, or any of the others.
   • Is there an issue that you are interested in that is outside of the course? The rules say that your study must be based on one of the topics from the specification, but we an relate almost anything to sociological topics.
   • Do you have links with or access to areas or organisations that might provide useful data - such as a school, the police, church group, campaign group, etc?
   • Fruitful areas to consider are: hobbies and interests; part-time work; other college subjects; social issues or problems that you have thought about.
   To help you, here are some successful ideas that other students have used:-
   • A sociological study of shopping and consumption
   • Bodybuilding and male attitudes to their bodies
   • Women and church attendance
   • Institutional racism within colleges
   • Domestic labour within single parent families
   • Working as a waitress
   • Female students and science subjects
   • "Emotion work" within student relationships
   • Religiosity and elderly people
   • The public's definitions of poverty
   • Advertising and childrens' toys
   • Mobile phones, friendship patterns, and status
   • Single parent families and educational achievement
   • Victims of crime
   • Gender and use of computers
   • Women's football

   Once you have decided on a general topic, then you can start searching for background material. This will form the Context of your project. You should keep a Diary, as this will remind you of where you are, and will need to be handed in to get full marks.

   A final, very important point. When choosing your topic, look ahead to make sure that your project is actually viable, that you can do it. There is no sense in trying to find out "Why paedophiles offend", for example, or "What Tony Blair really thinks"; you will not have access to paedophiles or Tony Blair in order to complete your study! Even using questionnaires or interviews at your local primary school or police station may prove to be very frustrating and ultimately fruitless, as your request to do research gets passed between different committees while your deadline approaches.

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