Socialisation, identity and methods of research

• Socialisation and the creation of social identity

• The process of learning and socialisation

• Social control, conformity and resistance

• Social identity and change

• Methods of research

• Types of data, methods and research design

• Approaches to sociological research

• Research issues

The Family

• Theories of the family and social change

• Perspectives on the role of the family

• Diversity and social change

• Family roles and changing relationships

• Gender equality and experiences of family life

• Age and family life

Education

• Education and society

• Theories about the role of education

• Education and social mobility

• Influences on the curriculum

• Education and inequality

• Intelligence and educational attainment

• Social class and educational attainment

• Ethnicity and educational attainment

• Gender and educational attainment

Globalisation

• Key debates, concepts and perspectives

• Perspectives on globalisation

• Globalisation and identity

• Globalisation, power and politics

• Contemporary issues

• Globalisation, poverty and inequalities

• Globalisation and migration

• Globalisation and crime

Media

• Ownership and control of the media

• Traditional media and the new media

• Theories of the media and influences on media content

• The impact of the new media

• Media representation and effects

• Media representations of class, gender, ethnicity, and age groups

• Different models of media effects

• The impact of the media on behaviour

Religion

• Religion and social order

• Religion and society

• Religion and social order

• Religion as a source of social change

• The influence of religion

• The secularization debate

• Gender, feminism and religion

• Religion and post-modernity

Paper 1

• Socialisation, identity and methods of research (1 hour 30 minutes – 60 marks)
• Candidates answer four questions.
• Section A: three compulsory questions
• Section B: one essay (26 marks) from a choice of
• Externally assessed
• 50% of the AS Level
• 25% of the A Level

Paper 2

• The Family (1 hour 30 minutes – 60 marks)
• Candidates answer four questions.
• Section A: three compulsory questions
• Section B: one essay (26 marks) from a choice of two
• Externally assessed
• 50% of the AS Level
• 25% of the A Level

Paper 3

• Education (1 hour 15 minutes – 50 marks)
• Candidates answer four compulsory questions.
• Question 4 is an essay (26 marks).
• Externally assessed
• 20% of the A Level

Paper 4

• Globalisation, Media and Religion (1 hour 45 minutes – 70 marks)
• Candidates answer two essay questions (35 marks each).
• Section A: Globalisation
• Section B: Media
• Section C: Religion
• Each section has two essay questions. Candidates select one question from two different sections.
• Externally assessed
• 30% of the A Level