A2 Unit 3: Power and Control
Have you ever driven faster than the speed limit? Have you ever been caught picking your nose in public? Did you have your first taste of alcohol before the legal age? Did you pierce a part of your body that your grandmother would not have wanted you to pierce? Have you worked somewhere and taken home a pen, pencil or packet of post-it notes?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are an example of what sociology is trying to understand and explain in this part of the course.

The main option you will study in this unit will be crime and deviance. An understanding of crime will aid an understanding of power in present day society. This will be done by gaining knowledge of social control and the various sociological discussions surrounding the topic, including such things as what is crime and deviance? gender and crime, the social distribution of crime and deviance and theories of crime and deviance amongst others.  

A2 Unit 3 is assessed by a 2 hour written examination consisting of one compulsory question and one essay from a choice of two.

A2 Unit 4: Social Inequality and Applied Methods of Sociological Enquiry
There are two elements to this unit. These are Applied Methods of Sociological Enquiry and Social Inequality. 

The first element will involve students developing their understanding of research methods in order to help them further understand social life. This will be done through the practice of research design and building on the knowledge of sociological methods gained through the study of AS Unit 2.

The second element centres on social inequality(s) or the unequal distribution of wealth, power or prestige among members of a society. Students will be expected to show their understanding of social inequality(s) by examining topics that they have previously studied and by showing an understanding of how class, age, gender, ethnicity and locality lay at the heart of the debate.

A2 Unit 4 is assessed by a 2 hours and 15 minutes written examination. Applied Methods of Sociological Enquiry consists of a compulsory question and Social Inequality is examined by students answering one compulsory question and one essay question from a choice of two. 

Successful completion of AS programme including satisfactory attendance and tutor recommendation.

Two written assessments

• The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
• Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
• Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
• Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
• All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
• Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
• Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.