GCE AS/A level Sociology from 2015 by Joanna Lewis. A presentation at the BSA Teaching Group Regional event on Friday, 29 May 2015.

1. GCE AS/A level Sociology from 2015
Joanna Lewis
Subject Officer
Copyright © WJEC CBAC Ltd.

2. What changes?
Sociology
• Centres will be responsible for their own choices regarding AS or
A level entry as AS is a separate entity and not a stepping stone
to full A level. (2015)
• There is a stronger emphasis on skills. Assessment weightings
have shifted away from knowledge and understanding towards
application and evaluation
• There are now three assessment objectives

3. What changes?
Sociology
• Research methods have been decoupled from other topics in
terms of assessment to reflect the increasing importance of
research skills and the vocational element of research.
• Each level of each assessment objective now refers to ‘context’
which means responses only implicitly linked to the question will
be far less acceptable.
• There are references to policy throughout the specification in
order to emphasise the link between sociological research and
real life applications of research findings.

4. What changes?
Sociology
• There is a significant increase in the amount of choice of
questions for candidates, particularly in the AS topics
• For A level, the stratification element is more generalised and
theoretical so it can be delivered through existing topics and then
reinforced with specific theory and detail
• Examination papers are longer and candidates may need to be
trained more carefully in time planning and in examination
techniques

5. Updating Sociology
• The new criteria emphasises contemporary social policy/society
• Classic studies are still relevant, but candidates should demonstrate
awareness of the limitations of older material
• More modern material can be accessed via:
– Websites: JRF, ESRC, Fawcett Society, charities
– Google media sites with ‘key term’ + ‘research studies show’
– Subject sharing sites

6. What remains the same?
Sociology
• There is little or no change to the content. If anything, material
has been lost, simplified and codified.
• Content elements of existing teaching materials and schemes of
work will be applicable and not require much adaption.
• Question styles remain broadly similar with minimal change.
• Material prepared for delivery by other boards will probably be
useful and applicable.

7. Summary of Assessment A level
Sociology
Component 1: Socialisation and Culture
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
40% of qualification 120 marks
Requires learners to study concepts and processes through the themes of socialisation, culture and identity.
Component 2: Methods of Sociological Enquiry
Written examination: 1 hour 45 minutes
20% of qualification 60 marks
Focuses on methods of sociological enquiry.
Learners will be also be required to design, justify and evaluate a piece of sociological research.
Component 3: Power and Stratification
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
40% of qualification 120 marks
Focuses on study of theories and explanations through the themes of social differentiation, power and
stratification.

8. Summary of Assessment AS
Sociology
Component 1: Socialisation and Culture
Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes
70% of qualification 120 marks
Focuses on the themes of socialisation, culture and identity and social
differentiation, power and stratification.
Component 2: Methods of Sociological Enquiry
Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes
30% of qualification 50 marks
Focuses on methods of sociological enquiry which includes application of
knowledge and understanding of research methods to a specific scenario.

9. Assessment Objectives
Sociology
Learners must:
AO1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
• Sociological theories, concepts and evidence
• Sociological research methods
AO2
Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods
to a range of issues
AO3
Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and
research methods in order to:
• Present arguments
• Make judgements
• Draw conclusions

10. Subject Content Requirements
Sociology
AS Component One A level Component One
Section A
Socialisation, culture & identity
Section A
Key concepts & processes of cultural
transmission, socialisation & acquisition of
identity
Section B
Families & households
or
Youth Cultures
Section B
Families & households
or
Youth Cultures
Section C
Education
Or
Media
Or
Religion
Section C
Education
Or
Media
Or
Religion

11. Subject Content Requirements
Components Two
Sociology
AS Component 2 A level Component 2
Compulsory: Methods of sociological enquiry Compulsory: Methods of sociological enquiry
Learners will be required to:
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a
range of methods and sources of data
• demonstrate their ability to apply their
knowledge and understanding of research
methods to a specific scenario
• use examples from contemporary sociological
research to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of relevant sociological concepts
and key methodological issues
Learners will be required to:
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a
range of methods and sources of data
• demonstrate their ability to apply their
knowledge and understanding of research
methods
• demonstrate their ability to design, analyse and
evaluate their own research design
• use examples from contemporary sociological
research to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of relevant sociological concepts
and key methodological issues

12. Subject Content Requirements
Component Three - Power and Stratification
Sociology
Section A
Social differentiation and stratification
Section B
Crime and deviance
or
Health and disability
or
Politics
or
World Sociology

13. A level
Sociology
• Components one and three have higher percentage
weightings and are allocated more time due to the
proportion of required coverage of the themes through the
study of concepts and theoretical issues across the
subject content
• Component two has less weighting as the focus is solely
on methods of sociological research and therefore less
knowledge based

14. Assessment
Sociology
• Co-teachability of AS and A level is demonstrated through coverage of
content in the AS and A level specifications, components and sample
assessment materials
• New assessment objectives, technical interpretations and targeted
elements and strands in the sample assessment materials
• Assessment grids will clearly indicate marks for and coverage of
elements and strands for each component at AS and A level in the mark
schemes
• For the first time there will be a discrete component covering research
methods

15. RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Supporting teaching and learning
Sociology
A new textbook is being prepared that is aimed at mid-range candidates but with a skills
based emphasis; current revision guides will still be relevant. (See packs for more detail)
A huge free interactive online research methods resource is being prepared currently by
Atebol and it will be ready for publication by Easter time and links will be on the
WJEC/Eduqas websites
Current materials are being audited and reorganised to fit the specification so that
accessing relevant items will be easier. When the audit is completed, then gaps will be
identified and filled

16. RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Supporting teaching and learning
Sociology
http://eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/sociology/
View our accredited specification, SAMs and supporting resources on our website.
http://resources.eduqas.co.uk/
Free WJEC Eduqas digital resources to support the teaching and learning of a broad
range of subjects
oer.wjec.co.uk
WJEC’s free Online Exam Review allows teachers to analyse item level data, critically
assess sample question papers and receive examiner feedback. WJEC qualifications
only. This is currently for WJEC qualifications only. OER for WJEC Eduqas will be available in
due course.
wjec.co.uk/shop
Educational resources for WJEC Eduqas Sociology qualifications will soon be available
from WJEC's online shop.

17. Any Questions?
Contact our specialist Subject Officers and administrative support team for
your subject with any queries.
Joanna Lewis
Subject Officer
029 2026 5167
Email: joanna.lewis@eduqas.co.uk
Hannah Griffiths
Subject Support Officer
029 2026 5183
Email: hannah.griffiths@eduqas.co.uk
Copyright © WJEC CBAC Ltd.