1. The project will be due for the first lesson 5th of September 2018
Transition to
A Level Sociology
This research-based project is designed to give you an ideal grounding for A-level study. The tasks included will form part of an assessment to judge your suitability to access the course in September . To access the course you will complete all of the tasks to give you a good idea of what to expect on a Sociology course and prepare you for the baseline assessment. The tasks set , all focus on the core themes explored and the types of skills you will need to master to be successful in Sociology . These tasks will be useful to refer to throughout the course. Completing this will give you a good head start for your A Level Sociology.
Present the tasks in any format you like – this could be a PowerPoint or a poster, or a leaflet, or word processed on an A4.
The project will be due for the first lesson 5th of September 2018
There will be a certificates and prizes for the top three best projects which can be used on application forms for future jobs, courses, apprenticeships and University degrees!
Good luck and Enjoy 
The Sociology Team
Mrs Sharmin –
– Sociology captains
-Sociology Mentors
What is Sociology?
Sociology is an exciting subject that challenges your everyday experiences.
It is the study of the relationship between the individual and society.
Sociologists are interested in why society works in the way that it does and the extent to which our behaviour and opportunities can be shaped by our social class, age, gender and race.

2. Year 12 transition to Sociology tasks
Objectives
To gain an understanding of key sociological themes and skills used in Sociology
DEADLINE: First sociology lesson of the new academic term
PREPARATORY TASKS:
To get yourselves thinking about Sociology, I would like you to research and complete the tasks below. Sociology is a really interesting subject that many of you will be able to relate to in one way or another. I am very passionate about this subject and I hope that you too find it enjoyable. The following tasks are a good area to start thinking about the study of Sociology. It is really important that you keep up to date with the News around you and have an interest in the society that we live in.

3. Task instructions and success criteria
Task 1: The importance of Sociological concepts
Task 2: The importance of Sociological theories
Task 3 :Preparation for Sociology baseline assessment
Instructions
You will be given a set of key concepts for which the following must be done
Produce a definition (this must not include the concept itself)
Provide some detail about what it entails
Suggest why it is a useful concept
Identify any weaknesses with it
This is a task from the sociology captains and mentors. There are three levels, each increasing in their level of difficulty, each tasks is really testing how far you understand the basic theories of Sociology.
Use the materials provided in the appendix (including the guided internet research) to prepare for he following essay question:
Evaluate the different sociological interpretations of achievement (30)
Links to the course
Key concepts is a vital part of sociology .They are crucial to Sociology especially how they are applied to the question set. In other words, are they relevant/are they made relevant?
Concepts you will define make up the introduction of sociology
Sociological theories make up the very foundation of society . Different theories have their own way of looking at society and individuals within it . The way they view society also determines the view on an given topic area as well as how they choose to carry out sociological investigation . Developing an understanding of theories will help you throughout the course.
Links to first unit studied in September (Paper 1 –Education)
Understanding of core themes and skills required in A Level Sociology
Success criteria
A Grade- all tasks have been completed and show detailed responses throughout
B Grade – all tasks have been completed , with examples and some detailed explanations
C Grade all tasks have been completed but some inaccuracies
D Grade – all tasks have been completed but some inaccuracies
E Grade – Most tasks have been completed are correct/or some inaccuracies
U Grade – tasks are incomplete and/or largely in accurate
An understanding of the question and arguments and evidence put forward by the different sociological theories .
You will select the appropriate knowledge from the materials for application to the issues raised by the question in a meaningful way.
You will show the skill of analysis by breaking the question and sociology down into its component parts and subjecting them to detailed examination.
Your essay will demonstrate evaluation by providing a conclusion based on rational arguments and solid sociological evidence presented in your answer.
Marking structure
Look at the success criteria- these task will be used to determine your effort and attention to detail
Your essay will be marked according to the AQA mark scheme set out below and you will be issued with an A-level grade (A* - E) for your work.
Assessment will be of your written communication skills , which is essential to Sociology

4. Task 1: The importance of Sociological concepts (some key introductory concepts)
These concepts will help you in September
Culture
Norms
Values
Socialisation (primary and secondary socialisation)
Status
Role
Social control
Social solidarity
Social class
Subculture
Ethnic groups
Gender group
Produce a definition (this must not include the concept itself)
Provide some detail about what it entails
Suggest why it is a useful concept
Identify any weaknesses with it
* Refer to resources to help you

5. Task 2: Topic: Peeling those Sociological theories: The main points
This is one from the Sociology Captains and mentors
Task 2: Topic:
Peeling those Sociological theories: The main points
Your task : In order to show your potential as a Sociology master with great Sociological imagination , each task needs to be complete .
There are lots of different theories about how society shapes individuals or how individuals shape society . You need to have a decent idea of what functionalism , Marxism , feminism and interactionism Research the basic theorist’s views of individuals and society , for functionalists, Marxists, Feminists and interactionists (Complete the tasks in any suitable format convenient to you ).
Silver Task : The following sociologists are extremely significant in your course in the first term, pick one from each perspective and prepare a profile on them. Include, how they explain these patterns from their perspective and any studies that they might have conducted.
Talcott Parsons-Functionalist
Emile Durkheim-Functionalist
Pierre Bourdieu -Marxist
Charles Murray –Neo Functionalist-New Right/Right Realism
Rosenthal and Jacobson-interactionist
Gillborn and Youdell-interactionists
Becker-interactionist
Sue Sharpe –feminist
 Gold task : look up articles on Grammar schools
grammar school:  
 Coalition gov led to inequalities in schools:  
How would each of the following sociologists you have picked interpret the article
Parsons-Functionalist
Bourdieu-Marxist
Becker-Interactionists
Sharpe –Feminist
Bronze Task : The main theories you will come across is Functionalism, Marxism, Interactionism and Feminism.
For each theory state the key ideas and their views on society and how they may explain patterns/role/see Education, Family and Crime.
State what analogies the different theories might use to explain these patterns
Tip: An analogy is a comparison between two things to help understand a topic, for instance ‘A movie Is like a roller coaster ride of emotions’

6. Now for Mrs Sharmin’s challenge task
Task 3: The Sociology of my success in education
Preparation for baseline assessment(end of September)
You have spent most of your life at school. Some sociologists would see this as worthwhile experience. You have learned to read and write and now you are doing academic subjects at A Level. And you are preparing for life in the wider society
Other sociologists take a more negative view. They say you are largely unaware of what education is doing to you and the rest of society. Others have shown interest in how teachers interact with students and how it affects their achievement .
Different class , ethnic and gender groups have different levels of educational attainment . For example why do those at top of the class system tend to get better exam results and go to highest ranking universities? Why do some ethnic groups have different levels of educational attainment? And why are girls outperforming boys at every level of the education system?
Your ultimate task is to carry out a sociological investigation of social groups differences in achievement and explain how different theories (based on your research from task two ) explain why some achieve and other underachieve. These tasks will help you prepare for your baseline assessment at the end of September . Resources and writing template with sentence starters have been provided on the next page
Step 1 : identify the differences in achievement between the social groups (patterns of achievement between different social class, ethnic groups and gender)
Step 2 : what are the explanations given for these patterns?
Step 3 :create a profile on your social background , e.g. class, ethnicity and gender . Based on your research what are your chances of success in school and in wider society/life ? How would each theory (from task 2 ) explain why you may achieve or underachieve (Step 3 will be presented in on 7th September 2018)

7. Writing Template for baseline assessment
Question: Evaluate the different sociological explanations of achievement (30)
45 minutes
Evaluate : to weigh up the strengths and limitations of different explanations
TIPS:
Write an introduction and a conclusion to your essay.
Main body:
For each theory explain how useful it is at explaining why some do well in school and why some may not .Try to back up your statements with evidence from your research.
For each theory consider the limitations in their explanations and back these up with evidence e.g. functionalist claim education is fair to all (meritocratic) , but is this really the case?
Point: make a point which answers the question and builds a block of your argument.
It could be argued that…
The evidence suggests that...
Marxist/ functionalist socioliologists argue...
Explanation: elaborate on your point, explaining what you mean using sociological vocabulary.
This indicates that…
Furthermore, it seems...
This demonstrates…
Evidence/ example: give evidence to back up your point – use at least one theorist and/ or study here.
Durkheim outlined…
In his study of an anti-school subculture, Willis found…
Rosenthal and Jacobson used a field experiment to explore...
For example, in analysing...
Significance: why is your point/ evidence important? Explain the strengths.
This is relevant because…
This is significant because...
This research is critical because...
This evidence demonstrates...
Evaluation: explore the counter-arguments – how would other sociologist criticise your point? Debate alternative perspectives; but end by stating why your argument is stronger.
On the other hand, Marx argues...
This fails to take into account/ does not explain...
A significant weakness of this argument is...
A postmodernist sociologist would disagree because...
Despite this, there is evidence that...
Link: link back to the question and restate YOUR argument. Use words from the question!
Therefore…
Ultimately...
The evidence shows...

8. Resources Useful websites for completion of tasks Task 1- concepts
Task 2 – sociological theories
- Dictionary of sociology –oxford review
-functionalism
-conflict theory
-interactionism
-major sociological theories
-introduction to sociology

9. Useful resources for preparation for baseline assessment
this webpage contains notes on the functionalist perspective on education. There are also links to the Marxist and New Right perspectives. This is a useful resource for learning or revising these perspectives.
A-level Sociology - Perspectives on Education summary grid - this resource provides a useful summary of the functionalist, Marxist, perspectives on the role of education in society – focusing on key ideas, supporting evidence and criticisms.
-interactionist perspective
Differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity in contemporary society
Revise Sociology - this webpage contains notes on explanations of differential educational achievement of social groups by social class, gender and ethnicity in –
(just for education)
Other websites links for all areas