Summary of course content
What is the relationship between the individual and society? The main purpose of this Cambridge IGCSE Sociology course is for it to offer you a greater understanding of human societies and the role of forces such as continuity and change in social life. Throughout sociological theories, this Cambridge IGCSE Sociology course will develop your analytical thinking and form abilities that help you understand social contexts. Find out more about how social conditions influence our life choices and how to cross cultural barriers, to better understand how we have become who we are.
The Cambridge Sociology syllabus is made up of seven units of study which explore the nature of social relationships, processes and structures.
- Unit 1: Theory and methods
- Unit 2: Culture, identity and socialisation
- Unit 3: Social inequality
- Unit 4: Family
- Unit 5: Education
- Unit 6: Crime, deviance and social control
- Unit 7: Media
The educational aims of Cambridge IGCSE Sociology are to:
- promote candidates’ awareness, knowledge and understanding of human societies
- develop candidates’ understanding of sociological methods, including the collection, analysis and interpretation of data
- provide an introduction to sociological concepts, theories and research findings
- stimulate awareness of the range and limitations of sociological theory and research
- promote candidates’ understanding of continuity and change in social life
- encourage a critical awareness of social, economic and political processes, and their effects
- develop the capacity for critical evaluation of different forms of information and evidence
- promote an appreciation and understanding of individual, social and cultural diversity
- enhance candidates’ ability to apply sociological knowledge and understanding to their own lives and their participation within society.
How the course is assessed
You will be assessed at the end of the course by two examination papers:
1
Paper 1
– Candidates answer one compulsory data response question and one optional structured question from a choice of two.
2
Paper 2
– Candidates answer two optional structured questions from a choice of four.
Guided Learning Hours
Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses are designed on the assumption that learners have about 130 guided learning hours per subject over the duration of the course, but this is for guidance only. The number of hours required to gain the qualification may vary according to local curricular practice and the students’ prior experience of the subject.
Any special requirements
You may assume that all students have access to an Internet connection and a basic computing device such as a mobile phone or a tablet and basic writing materials such as notebooks and pens/pencils. If anything additional to this such as textbooks, a more powerful computing device or specific software or apps are required (including free software) then list the minimum requirements here.
Textbook
- Cambridge IGCSE Sociology Coursebook
- Author: Blundell, J
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- ISBN: 9781107645134
Required textbook
Cambridge IGCSE Sociology, Jonathan Blundell, ISBN 9781107651388. You can find the textbook here.
