information accurate as of 09/07/2024 (English examination boards)
For AQA full spec and access to assessment examples – here
For OCR full spec and access to assessment examples – here
AQA
AQA A-Level Sociology focuses on understanding contemporary UK society within a global context. The core themes that run throughout the course are:
- Socialisation, culture and identity: How we learn and internalise societal norms, values, and beliefs to develop our sense of self.
- Social differentiation, power and stratification: Social divisions based on factors like class, ethnicity, and gender, and how these influence access to resources and power.
- The significance of conflict and consensus: Different perspectives on how society functions, with some arguing for inherent social conflict and others for a more harmonious view.
- Social structure and social action: The framework of society and how individuals and groups interact within it.
- The role of values: Shared beliefs and principles that guide behaviour and shape a society’s character.
The course is divided into different sections:
- Education: Examines social inequalities in education, including factors affecting achievement and the role of schooling in society.
- Theory and Methods: Equips you with the tools to analyse society through sociological theories and research methodologies.
- Culture and Identity (Option group A): This section explores concepts of culture, socialisation, ethnicity, and identity. You’ll examine how these factors shape individuals and groups within society.
- Families and Households (Option group A): Explores family structures, changes in family dynamics, and their impact on individuals and society.
- Health (Option group A): This section delves into the sociology of health and illness. You’ll explore social inequalities in health, the role of medicine, and how concepts of health are constructed.
- Work, Poverty and Welfare (Option group A): This section examines the nature of work, social class, poverty, and the welfare state. You’ll analyse how these factors affect people’s life chances and experiences.
- Global Development (Option group B): Examines issues of poverty, inequality, and development on a global scale.
- Beliefs in Society (Option group B): Analyses the role of religion, secularization, and other belief systems in contemporary society.
- The Media (Option group B): Investigates the power and influence of media in shaping our understanding of the world.
- Stratification and Differentiation (Option group B): This section examines social stratification, social class, and social mobility. You’ll analyse how these factors create inequalities in wealth, power, and life chances.
- Crime and Deviance: Explores different types of crime, explanations for deviant behaviour, and social responses to crime.
Paper 1: Education with Theory and Methods (33.3%): This two-hour exam focuses on the sociology of education, including the role and functions of the education system, social differentiation in education, and research methods applied to the study of education.
Paper 2: Topics. (33.3%): One hour per optional topic studied. One A, one B.
Paper 3: Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods (33.3%): This two-hour exam covers crime and deviance in society, sociological theories of crime, and research methods relevant to the study of crime.
OCR
The A level qualification is assessed through three mandatory components:
- Component 1: Families and Households (worth 35% of the A level)
- Component 2: Socialisation and Culture (worth 35% of the A level)
- Component 3: Theories and Methods in Sociology (worth 30% of the A level)
Component 1: Families and Households
This component delves into the dynamics of families and households, exploring their changing nature and functions in contemporary society. Students will examine key themes such as:
- Family structures and diversity
- Theories of family change
- The impact of social factors on families (e.g., social class, gender, ethnicity)
- Families and social policy
- The role of families in society
Component 2: Socialisation and Culture
This component explores the processes of socialisation and culture, examining how individuals are shaped by the social world and how they develop their identities. Students will explore key themes such as:
- Theories of socialisation (e.g., functionalism, symbolic interactionism)
- Agencies of socialisation (e.g., family, education, peer groups, media)
- Culture and identity
- Globalisation and cultural change
Component 3: Theories and Methods in Sociology
This component equips students with the knowledge and skills required to think critically about sociological research and theories. Students will explore key themes such as:
- Sociological theory (e.g., functionalism, Marxism, feminism, symbolic interactionism)
- Research methods in sociology (e.g., surveys, experiments, ethnography)
- Evaluating sociological research
By studying these components, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of core sociological concepts, theories, and methods. They will develop their critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation skills, preparing them for further study and employment in a wide range of social science-related fields.