AS/A level Sociology

First teaching from September 2015

Accredited by Ofqual

INTRODUCING EDUQAS

• In light of the diverging qualifications between England and Wales,

WJEC has developed a new brand: Eduqas.

• Eduqas will be the brand that provides schools with WJEC’s newly

reformed Ofqual regulated GCSEs, AS and A levels.

• Eduqas enables teachers to clearly distinguish between legacy

qualifications in Wales and reformed qualifications in England.

• Eduqas qualifications will primarily be available in England but also

in Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands at any

schools offering Ofqual regulated qualifications.

KEY FEATURES

In developing these specifications, we have been mindful to include the follow features: • Opportunities for flexible teaching approaches;

• Questions designed to enable candidates to demonstrate higher order skills such as knowledge and application;

• Straightforward wording of questions;

• Accessibility of materials;

• Opportunities for breadth of study and subject specific learning and knowledge;

• High-quality examination and resource materials.

TRANSITION TO THE NEW SPECIFICATIONS

• First teaching September 2015

• AS award Summer 2016

• First qualification A level award Summer 2017

• Last award of current specification Summer 2016

KEY CHANGESQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

AS Sociology will:

• Have linear assessments at the end of one year;

• Comprise of two components which will be “stand alone” and

decoupled from the A level;

• Be co- teachable;

• Now have three assessment objectives;

• Contain more explicit reference to research methods in the

assessment objectives.

KEY CHANGESQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A level Sociology will:

• Have linear assessments at the end of two years;

• Comprise of three components;

• Now have three assessment objectives;

• Contain more explicit reference to research methods in the

assessment objectives.

KEY CHANGESQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

AS and A level Sociology will:

• Now have a discrete component on research methods;

• Offer new opportunities for learners to choose options.

AS SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT

Component 1: Socialisation and CultureWritten 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 minutes30% of qualification 50 marks

Focuses on methods of sociological enquiry which includes application of knowledge and understanding of research methods to a specific scenario.

A LEVEL SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENTComponent 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 minutes40% of qualification 120 marks

Focuses on study of theories and explanations through the themes of social differentiation, power and stratification.

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES

Learners must:

AO1Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:• Sociological theories, concepts and evidence• Sociological research methods

AO2Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues

AO3Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods in order to:• Present arguments• Make judgements• Draw conclusions

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES

AO1 AO2 AO3

Comp 1 18% 14% 8%

Comp 2 9% 7% 4%

Comp 3 18% 14% 8%

Overall weighting

Required weighting

45%

35 - 45%

35%

30 - 40%

20%

20 - 30%

AO1 AO2 AO3

Comp 1 35% 21% 14%

Comp 2 15% 9% 6%

Overall weighting

Required weighting

50%

40 - 50%

30%

30 - 35%

20%

20 - 25%

A level AS

SUBJECT CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

AS Socialisation & Identity

A levelSocialisation & Identity

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

COMPONENT 1

COMPONENT 2

AS Methods of Sociological Enquiry

A levelMethods 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.

RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Direct and instant access to a Subject Officer throughout the year.

resources.eduqas.co.ukFree digital resources to support the teaching and learning of a broad range of subjects

www.wjecservices.co.uk WJEC’s secure website has a wealth of resources. You can find CPD material, including PowerPoint presentations on the finer detail of the specifications, exemplar material and past papers and mark schemes.

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

Any Questions?If you have any questions, please contact our Sociology subject specialists:

Joanna LewisSubject Officer029 2026 5167loanna.lewis@eduqas.co.uk

Hannah GriffithsSubject Support Officer029 2026 5183hannah.griffiths@eduqas.co.uk

www.eduqas.co.uk

@eduqas