revisesociology

[revisesociology]

Evaluate the view that differences in crime rates between ethnic groups are mainly the result of the way the criminal justice system operates

This 30 mark question came up on a recent A-level sociology Crime and Deviance exam paper. This post looks at how one would answer it. For more help with exam advice, see my exams and essays page here. The full question with item Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that differences incrime rates between ethnic groups are mainly the result of the way the criminal…

[revisesociology]

The Role of Government in UK Housing Costs

Housing provision in the UK is influenced by government policy. Additionally, the workings of the housing market shape it. Market forces deeply affect home ownership, rental agreements, and housing costs. Supply and demand, in particular, play a significant role. However, government intervention has played a crucial role through investment, subsidies, and regulation. 💷 Rents and Rent Assistance:…

[revisesociology]

Two ways in which social change may lead to the growth of sects

The following question came up in June 2022 on the AQA A-Level topics in sociology paper… Applying material from Item I, analyse two ways in which social change may lead to the growth of sects. The question and item are below… A possible answer… With these types of 10 mark with item questions you need to take your two points from the item, here that is clear: Increased poverty Increased…

[revisesociology]

Analyse two ways that globalisation may affect domesticlabour in the UK.

This question came up in the families and households section of the June 2023 Topics in Sociology A-level exam paper. This is was a 10 mark with item question. In such questions you MUST take your two points from the item. Full Question including item… Read Item C below and answer the question that follows. Item C Globalisation has increased the movement of people around the world. It has…

[revisesociology]

The Evolution of Housing Policy in Twentieth-Century Britain

SUPPLY AND DEMAND Housing supply is affected by both the quantity and quality of accommodation. Setting acceptable and affordable standards for policymaking purposes is therefore a complex task. In England the current official gauge is based on the minimum decent homes standard set by Labour in 2000, revised in 2006 to incorporate new health and safety ratings and meet the need for more…

[revisesociology]

What Is Orientalism? Edward Said’s Theory Explained for Sociology Students

The idea of “the Orient” evolved from Western colonial powers. It is a politically dangerous and culturally biased idea. This concept continues to infect Western views of the Eastern world. This powerful argument is made by Edward Said in his influential text, Orientalism (1978). The concept of Orientalism, he says, works in two important ways. It presents the East as a homogeneous region. The…

[revisesociology]

Outline and explain two problems of using primary qualitative methods in sociological research.

This theory and methods question came up in the May 2020 A-level sociology Education with Theory and Methods exam paper. Outline and explain two problems of using primary qualitative methods in sociological research (10) Below I include the mark scheme and a possible answer to this question… Hints for answering this question The Indicative content the AQA provides in its mark scheme is as…

[revisesociology]

Evaluate the strengths and limitations of using non-participant observation to investigate pupil behaviour in schools (20)

This is a 20 mark methods in context questions from the 2020 A-level Sociology Education with Theory and Methods exam paper (7192/1). Link to the Mark Scheme for the Paper here. Below I include the Item and Question, a full answer, and some hints and tips. If you like this sort of thing then you might also like this post: pages and posts: Methods in Context Questions: How to Answer…

[revisesociology]

Our New Health Crisis: Are We Diagnosing Too Much, Too Soon?

With recent advancements in medical technology, one would believe that more tests and earlier diagnosis simply mean better health. But what if our quest to detect diseases early is actually hurting us more than it is helping us? Consultant neurologist Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan asserts that we now face a new kind of health crisis. This crisis is brought about not by hidden disease. It is caused by…

[revisesociology]

Trump's Annexation of Greenland: The Decline of Globalisation?

Donald Trump’s designs on Greenland have stunned the world. The story opens a window into bigger questions about globalisation and geopolitics. It also questions who really gets to own the future. This post explores some basic facts about Greenland. It also offers some analysis on whether we are now in a post-globalisation age. 🌍 Why Is It Even Called “Greenland”? Blame Erik the Red, the Norse…

[revisesociology]

Evaluate sociological explanations of gender differences in educational achievement

The question above appeared in the A-level sociology May 2022 7192/1 Education with Theory and Methods Paper. This blog post presents an essay which should score in the top mark band. The full question Read Item B below and answer the question that follows. Item B The patterns of educational achievement by gender have changed over time. Some sociologists explain these patterns through…

[revisesociology]

Understanding Atrocity Crimes: A Criminological Perspective

In recent years, criminology has started to focus on atrocity crimes. These are horrific acts that shock the conscience of humankind. But what are atrocity crimes? How have criminologists contributed to their understanding? And how can we, as students and future practitioners, engage critically with this area? This blog post dives deep into the emerging subfield of atrocity criminology,…

[revisesociology]

W.E.B. Du Bois and the Colour Line: Racism, and Black Identity in America

Du Bois explores the “colour line” as the central problem of the 20th century. He Introduced the concept of “double-consciousness” – the internal conflict of black identity in a white-dominated society. Reflects on a childhood experience of racism and being “shut out by a vast veil.” He analyzed the role of The Freedmen’s Bureau’s aim to help freed slaves. He argued it fell short of true…

[revisesociology]

Evaluate the importance of cultural factors in explaining patterns of educational achievement [30 marks] 

This question appeared in a recent AQA A-level sociology paper, The Education with Theory and Methods paper. This post considers the question, mark scheme and then suggests a top and middle band answer. Top band answers should address all of ethnicity, gender and class in terms of educational achievement. EXAM QUESTION Read Item B below and answer the question that follows. Item B  There are…

[revisesociology]

After the Shock: Living in the Shadow of Covid

It’s extraordinary how little we talk about Covid, given how profoundly it continues to shape our society, economy, and public services. From Furlough to Fallout: The Lasting Economic Impact of Pandemic Spending As Heather Stewart et al. note in The Guardian, the pandemic marked a dramatic – though temporary – expansion in the role of the state. Almost overnight, the UK government introduced…

[revisesociology]

Social Democracy and the Welfare State

Social democracy is the main ideological perspective to the left of the Middle Way. In Britain, it has traditionally been associated with the Fabian tradition and the Labour Party, although it overlaps with some of the ideas held today by Liberal Democrats as well as the Third Way. The Welfare State is a fundamental part of the ideology of social democracy. Social Democracy vs. Democratic…

[revisesociology]

Adolescence, the Manosphere, and the Making of Toxic Masculinity

The Netflix drama Adolescence explores the growing trend. It shows how young boys are increasingly being drawn into toxic online spaces known as the “manosphere.” The series follows the story of a 13-year-old English boy named Jamie. After being socially isolated at school and experiencing rejection from a girl, Jamie spirals into a darker online world. The series reveals how what starts as a…