This is an extremely important resource which will get you through your AS exam in Sociology. It is tailor-made for you doing your course at Fareham College, and was constructed by Simon Neale. You can access it from in College, from home, or anywhere you can use a computer that is connected to the internet. Because it is central to your course, you will need to know how to find it again. So please save this page as a favourite; or print it off, so you have a copy of the address; or write out the address for later.
- An email link to me (just click on the little icon right at the top of the page.....it may not work from inside college!). You can use this to ask questions that occur to you outside class, or that you were too shy to ask in class. These can be about the structure of the college year, specific academic points, or whatever. You can debate issues with me. You can notify me about absences. Or just have a chat! I enjoy receiving emails from students, and it shows me that people are keeping "on task".
- A link to the calendar for this academic year. (just click on the other icon at the top of the page. You will also be notified of the topics for the next few weeks - they automatically appear at the end of this page.) If you play around with the calendar, you will find that you can view each week, month, or the whole year, and find out what you are due to be studying, or should have studied, in any given week. This is also known as your Scheme of work. It lists everything that we cover in order for you to pass the exam, and is based on the AQA Specifications.
- There is also some general information about the course and the exam.
- Then, there is an explanation of how to use this web page and find your way around the QUIA pages that I have made for you.
- Then, there is a set of links to the pages that I have made for each topic that we will be studying. (Just find the topic, and click on the blue "address".) These pages are based on the "bullet points" contained in the AQA specifications.
- Following these, there are the links to general resources that you might find useful. (Again, just click on the blue address - I have given a brief note about each one.)
That's about it. Just ask if there is anything you don't understand. And if you can think of any improvements, or you find new links to sociological material we can all use, just give or email me the details!
AS Level Sociology
Like all AS levels, AS Sociology is a "stand-alone" qualification in its own right, or it can form the first part of the full A level. You must pass the AS level before proceeding to the A2 year.
We will be covering the specifications set out by AQA, which is one of the exam boards which offers Sociology. To get more details on the specifications, you can click on the AQA link below, which will take you to the AQA website. You are particularly advised to have a look at the Assessment Objectives, which are what you will be assessed on.
AO1 is Knowledge and Understanding: you will be required to remember and understand some of the ideas, concepts, theories, authors, and studies that we encounter during the year.
AO2 is Identification, Analysis, Interpretation & Evaluation. Having understood and remembered some sociology, this tests your ability to use it fruitfully. For example, can you apply what you have learnt to other areas? Can you look at the different aspects within it? Can you criticise/evaluate/debate it, saying what makes it good or bad sociology?
Candidates do the AS qualification by taking 3 units, and the full A level by taking 3 more (six in total) over the two years. The AS units we will be taking are as follows
- UNIT 1 is a one-and-a-quarter hour exam consisting of a single Data Response Question (DRQ) on the topic of FAMILIES & HOUSEHOLDS. It offers 35% of the total AS marks. This will be taken in January 2003, with the option of a re-sit in June 2003. You best mark will automatically be counted.
The Unit Entry Code which you will need in order to fill in your exam entry form) = SCY1
- UNIT 2 is another 1.25 hr. exam consisting of a single DRQ. Again, it offers 35% of the AS marks. The topic will be WEALTH, POVERTY, & WELFARE. This unit will be taken in June 2003.
The Unit Entry Code = SCY2
- UNIT 3 consists of a slightly shorter (one hour) DRQ, and comprises 30% of the total AS marks. All candidates do a compulsory question on Sociological Methods, which will also be taken in June 2003.
The Unit Entry Code = SC3W.
Using these pages - Studying Sociology
For each area of the specification (syllabus) that we will be studying, I have made a separate QUIA page. For example, there are four different areas (presented as "bullet points" in the specification) in the first unit on Families & Households, so you will find four different pages.
You can find out from the Scheme of Work (on the calendar, stoopid!! Or on the "Calendar events" section lower down this page) which ones we are meant to be doing for any given week of the year. Also on the calendar will be reminders about things like deadlines, exam entries, trips out, and so on.
You get to these pages by scrolling down to the "Useful links" section below. Some of these links are the subject pages; others will be more general. When you find the link you want, just click on the blue "address".
To return to this home page, just click "Back" on your toolbar.
On each of these pages you will find my brief notes on the topic. These are tailor made for you, as they refer to the specific thigs that we will study in class. But please remember that they are the bare minimum, intended to clarify issues. They are no substitute for reading your textbook, PLUS other sources in the library.
You will also find (again, in the "Useful links" section of each page) a further set or web addresses which I have selected to help you.
You are also encouraged to use search engines and browse constructively for material.
You should, then, have a number of different resources to help you pass:
- You notes from lessons
- Handouts from lessons
- Your textbook (Sociology in Focus, by Taylor et al, published by Causeway Press.
- Other textbooks and Sociology Review, all in the College library, and all subject reference books, which means they stay in the library!
- My notes on the QUIA pages
- The links to other pages and sites which you can access from there. All of these can be printed off and filed for revision.
- Myself and other lecturers, either in person, or via email.
Please ask if you have any questions or worries. I hope that you engage fruitfully with your AS level in Sociology, and I wish you lots of enjoyment while studying and lots of luck in the exam.
