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 CHANGES
QUALIFICATION 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 CHANGES
QUALIFICATION 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 CHANGES
QUALIFICATION 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 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.
A LEVEL SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT
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.
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
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
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
AS
A level
AO1
AO2
AO3
Comp 1
18%
14%
8%
Comp 2
9%
7%
Comp 3
18%
Overall
weighting
45%
Required
weighting
35 - 45%
AO1
AO2
AO3
Comp 1
35%
21%
14%
4%
Comp 2
15%
9%
6%
14%
8%
Overall
weighting
50%
30%
20%
35%
20%
Required
weighting
40 - 50%
30 - 35%
20 - 25%
30 - 40%
20 - 30%
SUBJECT CONTENT REQUIREMENTS
COMPONENT 1
AS
Socialisation & Identity
A level
Socialisation & Identity
Section A
Section A
Socialisation, culture & identity
Key concepts & processes of cultural
transmission, socialisation & acquisition of identity
Section B
Section B
Families & households
or
Youth Cultures
Families & households
or
Youth Cultures
Section C
Section C
Education
Or
Media
Or
Religion
Education
Or
Media
Or
Religion
COMPONENT 2
AS
Methods of Sociological Enquiry
A level
Methods of Sociological Enquiry
Learners will be required to:
Learners will be required to:
•
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
a range of methods and sources of data;
•
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;
•
Demonstrate their ability to apply their
knowledge and understanding of research
methods;
•
Use examples from contemporary sociological
research to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of relevant sociological
concepts and key methodological issues.
•
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.uk
Free 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 Lewis
Subject Officer
029 2026 5167
loanna.lewis@eduqas.co.uk
Hannah Griffiths
Subject Support Officer
029 2026 5183
hannah.griffiths@eduqas.co.uk
www.eduqas.co.uk
@eduqas