1. GCE AS/A level Sociology from 2015 Preparing to Teach Joanna Lewis Subject Officer

2. 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. 2

3. Summary of Assessment AS Sociology 3 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.

4. Assessment Objectives Technical Interpretations Sociology 4 Terms: Strand - discrete bullet point that is formally part of an assessment objective. Element - ability that the assessment objective does not formally separate, but that could be discretely targeted or credited. Coverage - expectations may relate either to weightings within an assessment objective, or to sampling over time.

5. Assessment Objectives Sociology 5 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

6. Assessment Objectives Sociology AO1AO2AO3 Comp 135%21%14% Comp 215%9%6% Overall weighting Required weighting 50% 40 - 50% 30% 30 - 35% 20% 20 - 25% 6 A level AS AO1AO2AO3 Comp 118%14%8% Comp 29%7%4% Comp 318%14%8% Overall weighting Required weighting 45% 35 - 45% 35% 30 - 40% 20% 20 - 30%

7. Subject Content Requirements Sociology AS Component OneA 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 7

8. Subject Content Requirements Components Two Sociology AS Component 2A level Component 2 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 8

9. 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 9

10. Component 2 - AS and A level Sociology Focuses on methods of sociological enquiry Allows for learning through small scale research projects Candidates have to apply knowledge and understanding of skills in research methodology to a novel context 10

11. 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 11

12. Marking Sociology Targeted assessment objective marks for each question which are consistent across the series Clear indicative content and mark allocation, allowing consistent marking and promoting examiner reliability Assessment grids contain clear and consistent marking bands with specific descriptors relating to assessment objectives Clear reference to assessment objectives and strands 12

13. 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 13

14. RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS Supporting teaching and learning Sociology 14 www.eduqas.co.uk/sociology Free subject specific resources available for all to download from our website resources.eduqas.co.uk Free Eduqas digital resources to support the teaching and learning of a broad range of subjects wjec.co.uk/shop A vast range of educational resources, specifications, past papers and mark schemes to support the teaching and learning of subjects offered by WJEC

15. 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.ukjoanna.lewis@eduqas.co.uk Hannah Griffiths Subject Support Officer 029 2026 5183 Email: hannah.griffiths@eduqas.co.ukhannah.griffiths@eduqas.co.uk