Subject dividers / content cards
Learning outcome 2 (LO2) requires students to understand how campaigns are used to elicit change.
There are TWO assessment criteria
AC2.1 – Compare campaigns for change
AC2.2 – Evaluate the effectiveness of media used in campaigns for change
In August 2024, the United Kingdom experienced a wave of far-right protests and riots that spanned various cities, including Southport, London, Manchester, and Belfast.
The unrest occurred from July 30th to August 5th, 2024.
Unrest began in Southport, where protestors attacked Southport Mosque.
False claims circulated by far-right groups suggested that the perpetrator of a mass stabbing on July 29th was a Muslim and an asylum seeker.
The riots included racist attacks, further fueled by broader Islamophobic, racist, and anti-immigrant sentiments that had been growing in the years leading up to the protests.
Rioters engaged in arson and looting, causing significant damage.
These riots were the largest incident of social unrest in England since 2011.
Over 1,000 arrests were made in connection with the unrest, and more than 40 rioters were imprisoned.
At least 69 police officers and 3 police dogs were injured during the clashes.
Study the links below and produce a report on the riots. Use the following headings:
Tuesday 6 August 2024
The Guardian – a UK daily newspaper gives a general overview of the riots
Wednesday 7 August 2024
The BBC summarise the riots so far
22 August 2024
City St George’s sociologist explains how online disinformation, the cost-of-living crisis and nationalism fuelled the riots following Southport tragedy
Channel 4 news report on the riots
Channel 4 news on how the government has responded to the riots
BBC news – riots as terrorism
Bloomsbury (2nd ed 2022) pp476 pages
This is a study of the origins and effects of the failure of the mythology of the United States.
The failure, as this book explains, lies more deeply than the grotesque political theatre of Washington but in the peripheries of the country, from the billionaire havens of Greenwich to the exploited towns, cities and rural communities of West Virginia.
This ‘Wildland’, Osnos explains, is less about Trump as the unique creator of the political movement he exists in but is instead a symptom of the deeper movements in US politics and finance where the wealthy have been attempting, for the better part of a century, to create a state where the less government exists the better it would be for the super-rich. In Trump, they found the perfect mouthpiece for this vision, a man capable of convincing the poor, the marginalised and the uneducated that their best interests are the same as those interests of the traders the hedge fund managers.
The book is particularly good on the emptiness and cynicism of Mitch Mconnell (another key Trump enabler) who defies all attempts to uncover what he (Mconnell) truly believes to the point where it is ‘not always easy to remember which fiction he was supposed to expound’.
The heart of the book revolves around the state of West Virginia. Osnos worked here as a cub reporter in 1998 and clearly has strong feelings for the citizens of West Virginia.
In the chapter ‘Jewel in the Hills’ he offers a clear account of how the same forces working to de-regulate and roll back the influence of the state effectively laid waste to whole communities, first through a free-for all in mining licenses and then through later opioid epidemics. JD Vance gets no mention although surely later editions of this book will address this.
As the Democrats gather for their 2024 Convention in Chicago, Osnos is also very good on the racist and racial divides of the city.
In an afterword to this 2022 print, Osnos offers some comfort for a country that seems to be losing its collective mind.
He finds some redemption for this ‘Wildland’ in the grassroots of American politics. He hopes that future administrations may yet return to some notion of a national ‘organised service’ . This need not be purely military (interesting how a similar idea by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was laughed off the front pages during the 2024 general election) but a system of combined and shared experiences: think of JFK’s Peace Corps and Johnson’s Volunteers In Service to America. Reagan Clinton, Bush – all had their version of this shared experience, this shared service.
Only this ‘alchemy’ of incident and instinct can resist the national pressure to ‘conform to tribal constraints’ and would make a good debating point for a group of year 13 A Level Politics students who may well have shared the collective horror of Sunak’s foray into this ‘solution’.
Anomie is a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms and values. This concept was introduced by the key sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858-1917).
Anomie occurs when there is a disintegration or disappearance of the norms and values that were previously common to society and helped to bind that society together.
How to recognise anomie
It can exist in a period of dramatic or sudden social change – wars, revolutions, economic crashes etc – when old ideas and norms have been lost or disrupted with nothing replacing them.
Without the old norms and values, what do people cling to? What do they believe in? This may lead to people feeling disconnected from society.
Examples of anomie
A classic example of how anomie can lead to criminal behaviour is found in Robert K. Merton’s Strain Theory. This theory builds on Émile Durkheim’s concept of anomie and explains how societal pressures can lead individuals to engage in deviant behaviour.
During economic recessions, when unemployment rates are high and financial stability is hard to achieve, some individuals may resort to criminal behaviour to support themselves and their families. In this scenario, anomie, by creating a sense of normlessness and disconnection from societal values, can push individuals towards criminal behaviour as a way to cope with the resulting strain.
next – CLASS
Agency in sociology refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make choices that shape their lives and the social structures around them.
Agency emphasizes the idea that individuals are not merely passive recipients of societal influences or structural forces but are active participants who can exercise their will, make decisions, and initiate actions.
Key Points About Agency:
Examples of Agency:
next – ANOMIE
In sociology, a concept is a fundamental idea that helps sociologists understand and analyse various aspects of society.
Concepts are the building blocks of sociological theory and research, providing a framework for examining social phenomena and relationships.
As a student of Sociology, these key concepts are central to your understanding of all topics in the subject. It would be a good idea, early in your course, to learn these 20 core concepts and be ready to add to the list as your course progresses.
Key concepts cut-across all areas of sociological study and are central to understanding discussions and debates throughout all areas and themes of a Sociology course.
For example, concepts like class, social structure, culture, norms, and values will be essential to any understanding of the sociology of education.
In a sociological study of crime and deviance, the same concepts will be applied. In using these concepts sociologists attempt decipher patterns in human behaviour and how society is organised.
Concepts allow for a systematic study of how individuals interact within their social environments and how larger social forces shape individual experiences – which is what Sociology is all about.
Anomie: A state of normlessness where society fails to effectively regulate the expectations or behaviours of its members, often leading to deviant behaviour.
Broken windows theory: suggests that even minor acts of crime or deviance, if unchecked, can lead to social deterioration and more serious crimes (see right realism).
Chivalry Thesis: The idea that the criminal justice system is more lenient towards women, resulting in lower crime statistics for female offenders.
Corporate Crime: Crimes committed by companies or individuals on behalf of companies, typically involving financial fraud, environmental harm, or violations of labour laws.
Control theory: (Hirschi) argues that strong social bonds increase conformity to societal norms and decrease deviance.
Crime: An act that violates the criminal law and is punishable by the state.
Crime Survey for England Wales (CSEW): comprehensive, face-to-face victimization survey conducted annually to gather data on people’s experiences of crime over the past 12 months. Includes crimes that may not have been reported to or recorded by the police, providing a more accurate picture of crime levels in society.
Criminal Justice System (CJS): the system of police, courts and prisons. The UK has three separate jurisdictions: England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Crimogenic capitalism: Marxist theory that the capitalist system encourages criminal behaviour. Factors such as self-interest, materialism, and inequality contribute to higher crime rates.
Cybercime: criminal activities carried out using computers or the internet. These illicit actions include fraud, trafficking in child pornography, intellectual property theft, identity theft, and privacy violations.
Delinquency: illegal, or antisocial behaviour. It often applies to young people (under 18) who engage in actions that are illegal or not socially acceptable.
Deviance: Behaviour that violates the norms and expectations of a society or group, which may or may not be criminal.
Deviance – primary: the initial act of rule-breaking or deviant behaviour that does not result in the individual being labelled as deviant by society.
Deviance – secondary: the process by which an individual’s deviant behaviour is amplified and reinforced due to societal reactions and labelling.
Deviant careers: refers to the progression through various stages of deviant behaviour, often influenced by societal reactions and labels. (see Becker).
Deviancy amplification: occurs when the media’s reporting actions contribute to the acceleration of behaviours that most people disapprove of.
Differential association: proposed by sociologist Edwin Sutherland in 1939 and later revised in 1947, suggests that individuals learn values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behaviour through their interactions with others. Criminal behaviour is not inherited; rather, it is acquired through communication within intimate personal groups.
Disintegrative justice: labels and stigmatizes offenders, ostracizing them from the local community and sometimes leading to violence directed toward them.
Domestic violence: occurs within an intimate relationship. It encompasses various forms of abuse, including emotional, sexual, and physical harm, as well as threats. Domestic violence can affect anyone, but it is most often directed toward women.
Environmental crime: illegal acts that directly harm the environment, wildlife, biodiversity, and natural resources.
Feminist theory of crime and deviance: focus on how gender inequalities shape the experiences of women in the criminal justice system and society at large.
Functionalist theory of crime and deviance: primarily developed by Emile Durkheim and later expanded by others like Robert K. Merton, view crime and deviance as integral parts of society.
Folk-devils: groups whose common interests or activities have become stigmatized by society, leading to adverse comments and behaviour directed toward them. These groups are often portrayed as threats to societal values and interests (see moral panic).
Globalisation of crime: refers to the expansion and integration of criminal activities beyond national borders. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, illicit goods, money, and people move across countries, facilitated by advancements in technology and transportation.
Global risk society: emerged from the works of sociologists Ulrich Beck and Anthony Giddens. In this framework, modern society organizes itself in response to risks (including global crime) particularly those associated with globalization and technological advancements.
Glocalism of crime: refers to the interplay between local and global factors in shaping criminal behaviour. It recognizes that crime is influenced by both global trends and local contexts.
Green crime: illegal activities that harm the environment, threaten biodiversity, and impact global security. These actions pose risks to our planet and often involve exploiting natural resources. Examples of green crime include illegal mining, illegal fishing, wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, and waste trafficking.
Hate crimes: criminal offenses committed against someone due to their personal characteristics or perceived identity. These crimes are motivated by bias or prejudice.
Hegemony: the dominance of certain social groups over others, shaping societal norms, values, and laws to maintain their power (see New Criminology).
Human rights: connection to criminology and criminal justice has become more pronounced in recent years. This development corresponds to the growth of international treaties and agreements following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the rise of emerging democracies, post-conflict states, and global concerns about terrorism, trafficking, and related crimes (see state crimes).
Human trafficking: also known as trafficking in persons, involves compelling or coercing individuals to provide labour or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. This crime can take various forms, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, or organ removal
Hyperreality of crime: concept rooted in postmodern theory, particularly associated with the work of French sociologist and philosopher Jean Baudrillard. Refers to a state where reality becomes indistinguishable from its simulation or representation. It blurs the boundary between what is real and what is imagined, creating a new social reality that is generated from ideas rather than directly representing a pre-existing reality.
Indictable offences: serious criminal offence that must be tried in the Crown Court.
Institutional racism: refers to the systemic and structural practices within police forces that result in discriminatory treatment of minority ethnic groups. The term was prominently defined in the Macpherson Report (1999), which investigated the police handling of the murder of Stephen Lawrence.
Interactionist theory: focuses on the social processes through which behaviours are defined as deviant or criminal.
Islamophobia: irrational fear of, hostility towards, or prejudice against the religion of Islam or Muslims in general.
Labelling Theory: The theory that deviance is not inherent in an act but is instead the result of the labels attached to it by society. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where individuals internalize and act according to their labels.
Left Realism: A perspective that sees crime as a real problem, especially for the working class, and focuses on the social causes of crime such as relative deprivation, subcultures, and marginalization.
Liberation thesis: Adler’s liberation thesis suggests that as women gain greater independence and equality, their criminal behaviour will become more frequent and serious, approaching levels similar to men’s.
‘Malestream’ theory of crime and deviance: used by feminist theorists to critique traditional sociological research and theories that have historically focused on male perspectives and experiences, often to the exclusion or misrepresentation of women.
Marxist theories of crime and deviance: based on the belief that society is divided into classes based on the ownership and control of resources. According to Marx, the capitalist system perpetuates social inequality, leading to the emergence of crime and deviance as a response to the oppressive conditions faced by the working class.
Marginalization: in the study of crime refers to a condition where certain individuals or groups are excluded or pushed to the fringes of society.
Masculinity theory of crime and deviance: examines the relationship between masculinity and criminal behaviour. It suggests that masculine identity is shaped by complex interactions among social structures, institutions, and everyday practices.
Master status: a dominant label that overshadows all other aspects of an individual’s identity, particularly within labelling theory.
Moral Panic: A widespread fear, often irrational, about an issue that appears to threaten the social order, typically amplified by the media.
Moral entrepreneur: individuals, groups, or organisations that seek to influence society to adopt or maintain certain norms and values, often by labelling certain behaviours as deviant or criminal.
New Criminology: developed by Ian Taylor, Paul Walton, and Jock Young, represents a critical approach to understanding crime and deviance. Linked to Neo-Marxist views of crime and deviance. Examines the relationship between crime, power, and social inequality, advocating for a more just and equitable society.
Panopticon: represents a model of discipline and surveillance, influencing how we understand crime and control.
Postmodernist theories of crime and deviance: challenge traditional explanations by emphasizing the fluid and socially constructed nature of deviance. They reject grand narratives, arguing that crime cannot be understood through a single lens. Instead, they highlight the role of media in shaping perceptions, the cultural diversity and fragmentation of modern society, and the impact of surveillance and control mechanisms.
Racism: discrimination and prejudice against people based on their race or ethnicity (see institutional racism).
Radical criminology: also known as Marxist or critical criminology, focuses on the structural inequalities and power imbalances within society that contribute to crime and deviance.
Rational choice theory: idea that individuals weigh the benefits and drawbacks before committing a crime. By making the costs of crime (e.g., punishment) outweigh the benefits, crime can be deterred (see right realism).
Realist theories of crime: divided into two main perspectives: Right Realism and Left Realism. Both approaches aim to address crime pragmatically but differ significantly in their focus and solutions.
Realist theory (right): views crime as a real problem and focuses on the biological and social factors that predispose individuals to criminal behaviour, advocating for strong law enforcement and deterrence. Right realists view crime as a real and growing problem that requires strict control and punishment.
Realist theory (left): focus on Social Inequality: Left realists argue that crime is rooted in social inequality and deprivation.
Relative deprivation: highlights how individuals who feel deprived relative to others in society are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour.
Restorative justice: brings together those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm. It enables communication, repair, and finding positive ways forward (see disintegrative justice).
Selective law enforcement: often associated with Marxist criminology, suggests that the criminal justice system enforces laws in a biased manner, favouring the powerful and targeting the less powerful (see left realism).
Sex-role theory: explains gendered differences in offending by considering the impact of gender socialization, gender roles, and gendered identities.
Social Control: The various methods used to persuade or force individuals to conform to the dominant social norms and values of a society or group.
Social construction of crime: refers to the idea that what is considered criminal behaviour is not inherent or universal but is defined by society through social processes and interactions.
Social construction of deviance: refers to the idea that what is considered deviant behaviour is not inherent or universal but is defined by society through social processes and interactions.
Societal Deviance: Acts that are seen by members of society as deviant, regardless of the context.
Situational crime prevention (SCP): focuses on reducing crime opportunities by altering the environment or situation that encourages criminal behaviour. Rather than solely relying on punishment or rehabilitation, SCP aims to make criminal acts more difficult or less rewarding
Situational deviance: refers to acts which are only defined as deviant in particular contexts.
Slavery: modern slavery occurs when an individual is exploited by others for personal or commercial gain (see human trafficking).
State crimes: illegal or deviant activities perpetrated by the state or with the complicity of state agencies. These crimes are committed by, or on behalf of, nation states in pursuit of their policies.
Status Frustration: A sense of frustration arising in individuals or groups because they feel they are denied status in society, often leading to deviant behaviour (see Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin, Miller).
Stop and search: Police officers have the authority to stop and search individuals or vehicles if they have “reasonable grounds” to suspect that the person is carrying illegal drugs, a weapon, stolen property, or something that could be used to commit a crime1. This is primarily governed by Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE)1.
Strain theory: developed by sociologist Robert K. Merton, explains crime and deviance as a result of the pressure individuals feel to achieve socially accepted goals, such as wealth or success, when they lack the legitimate means to achieve them.
Structural violence: systematic ways in which social structures harm or otherwise disadvantage individuals.
Subculture: A group within society that has distinct norms, values, and behaviours that set it apart from the mainstream culture.
Surveillance: Foucault highlighted how crime control shifted from physical punishment (such as public executions) to surveillance. Today, fear of being seen doing something wrong replaces the fear of physical punishment.
Techniques of Neutralization: Justifications used to excuse acts of crime and deviance, such as denying responsibility or claiming there was no victim.
Terrorism: calculated use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, with the aim of achieving specific political objectives.
Transnational organised crime: refers to criminal activities that are coordinated across national borders. Criminal groups involve individuals working in multiple countries to plan and execute illegal business ventures. Their activities often include systematic violence and corruption.
Unreported crime: often referred to as the “dark figure of crime,” highlights the gap between the actual number of crimes committed and those reported to or recorded by law enforcement agencies.
Victimology: studies the relationship between an injured party and an offender. It examines the causes and nature of the consequent suffering experienced by victims of crime.
Victimization: not an inherent quality but rather a socially constructed phenomenon shaped by societal norms and power dynamics.
White Collar Crime: Non-violent crime committed by individuals, typically of higher social status, in the course of their occupation, such as fraud or embezzlement.
Zemiology: the study of social harms. Unlike criminology, which focuses on individual-based crimes like theft, zemiology examines harms caused by nation states and corporations.
Zero Tolerance Policing: A strict enforcement approach to minor crimes and disorder, based on the belief that this will prevent more serious crimes.
The AQA A-Level Politics specification equips students with a deep understanding of political systems, ideologies, and contemporary issues. Here’s a breakdown:
Subject Content:
Assessment:
There are three written exams, each worth 84 marks and 2 hours long:
Exam Weightings:
All three papers contribute equally to the final A-Level grade (33.3% each).
Learning Outcomes:
Exam Papers and Resources:
AQA provides past paper resources and sample assessments on their website: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/politics/a-level/politics-7152/assessment-resources
Finding the Full Specification:
For a comprehensive overview, including detailed learning objectives and topic breakdowns, you can access the full AQA A-Level Politics specification here
The Edexcel A Level Politics specification equips students with a deep understanding of political concepts, UK government structures, and comparative politics. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas:
Coursework:
Exams:
Assessment Objectives (AOs):
Paper Structure (all papers are externally examined):
Further Resources:
For a more detailed look at the specification, including specific topics covered within each section, you can refer to the official Edexcel website
This website also offers sample assessment materials to help you understand the question format and expectations.
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 A-Level Sociology focuses on understanding contemporary UK society within a global context. The core themes that run throughout the course are:
The course is divided into different sections:
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.
The A level qualification is assessed through three mandatory components:
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:
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:
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:
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.