specification overview
AQA A-Level Sociology (7192) is a two-year linear qualification with three 2-hour papers, each worth 33.3%. Paper 1 covers Education with Methods in Context and Theory and Methods; Paper 2 covers two Topics in Sociology (one from each of two groups); Paper 3 covers Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods.
subject content
1. Education
Paper 1- Role and function of education
- Differential educational achievement (class, gender, ethnicity)
- In-school processes: teachers, pupils, curriculum
2. Methods in Context
Paper 1- Application of research methods to the study of education
- Practical, ethical and theoretical issues
2b. Theory and Methods (Paper 1 component)
Paper 1- Extended-writing question on theory and methods (10 marks)
3. Topics in Sociology (choose one from each group)
Paper 2- Option 1 (Section A): Culture and Identity, Families and Households, Health, or Work, Poverty and Welfare
- Option 2 (Section B): Beliefs in Society, Global Development, The Media, or Stratification and Differentiation
4. Crime and Deviance
Paper 3- Sociological theories of crime and deviance
- Social distribution of crime by class, gender, ethnicity, age
- Globalisation, green crime, human rights, state crime
5. Theory and Methods
Paper 3- Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories
- Modernity, postmodernity and late modernity
- Research methods, sociology as a science, values in sociology
assessment structure
| Paper | What's assessed | Length | Marks | Weight | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Education with Theory and Methods) | Education + Methods in Context + Theory and Methods | 2h | 80 | 33.3% | Education: short answer and extended writing (50 marks); Methods in Context: extended writing (20 marks); Theory and Methods: extended writing (10 marks) |
| Paper 2 (Topics in Sociology) | Section A: one topic from Option 1 (Culture and Identity, Families and Households, Health, Work Poverty and Welfare); Section B: one topic from Option 2 (Beliefs in Society, Global Development, The Media, Stratification and Differentiation) | 2h | 80 | 33.3% | Section A: extended writing on chosen Option 1 topic (40 marks). Section B: extended writing on chosen Option 2 topic (40 marks) |
| Paper 3 (Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods) | Crime and Deviance + Theory and Methods | 2h | 80 | 33.3% | Crime and Deviance: short answer and extended writing, 50 marks; Theory and Methods: extended writing, 30 marks |
Paper 2 requires two chosen topics: one from Option 1 (Culture and Identity / Families and Households / Health / Work, Poverty and Welfare) and one from Option 2 (Beliefs in Society / Global Development / The Media / Stratification and Differentiation). Your school picks the two at the start of the course. Paper 1 includes Education (50), Methods in Context (20) and Theory and Methods (10); Paper 3 includes Crime and Deviance (50) and Theory and Methods (30).
assessment objectives
| AO | What it means | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| AO1 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: sociological theories, concepts and evidence; sociological research methods. | 44% |
| AO2 | Apply sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues. | 31% |
| AO3 | Analyse and evaluate sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to present arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions. | 25% |
key tips for success
Master the four Methods
Questionnaires, interviews, observation, secondary data. Learn practical, ethical, theoretical (PET) issues for each. Both Papers 1 and 3 have compulsory Methods questions.
Learn the theoretical perspectives
Functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism, postmodernism. Know each perspective's key claims about education, families, crime, every essay rewards perspective application.
Build a study bank
Sociology essays reward named studies with dates and findings (Willis 1977, Ball, Bowles and Gintis, Wright, Reay). Build a bank of ~20 key studies across the papers.
Choose Paper 2 topics carefully
Paper 2 requires one topic from Option 1 (Culture and Identity, Families and Households, Health, Work Poverty and Welfare) and one from Option 2 (Beliefs in Society, Global Development, The Media, Stratification and Differentiation). Families and Households + Beliefs in Society is a common combination. Your school picks.
Master Methods in Context
Paper 1 tests applying research methods specifically to educational contexts. Practise linking method (e.g. observation) to educational research questions (e.g. teacher labelling).
Structure essays with clear evaluation
AO3 is 25% and rewards evaluation. Every essay needs a clear judgement backed by weighed arguments and contradictory perspectives.
Where to next
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