ASA level Sociology First teaching from September 2015

AS/A level Sociology First teaching from September 2015 Accredited by Ofqual

INTRODUCING EDUQAS • In light of the diverging qualifications between England 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 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 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 themes of social differentiation, power and stratification.

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES Learners must: AO 1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: • Sociological theories, concepts and evidence • Sociological research methods AO 2 Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues AO 3 Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods in order to: • Present arguments • Make judgements • Draw conclusions

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES AS A level AO 1 AO 2 AO 3 Comp 1 18% 14% 8% Comp 2 9% 7% Comp 3 18% Overall weighting 45% Required weighting 35 - 45% AO 1 AO 2 AO 3 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 Socialisation, culture & identity Key concepts & processes of cultural transmission, socialisation & acquisition of identity Section B Families & households or Youth Cultures Section C Education Or Media Or Religion

COMPONENT 2 AS Methods of Sociological Enquiry A level 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; • 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 Power. Point 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