Cambridge IGCSE Sociology Syllabus revision

As part of our review of Cambridge IGCSE Sociology (0495) we are proposing a revision to the
content and assessment of the syllabus to reflect developments in the subject and the changing
needs of our schools and candidates. Changes to the syllabus will be for first examination in June
2015. We would welcome your suggestions and comments on the changes that we are proposing.

The proposed changes for the Cambridge IGCSE Sociology syllabus and assessment are:
 To reduce the number of units to be studied for each paper: Three units will be studied for Paper
1 and four for Paper 2.
 Examination papers will be shorter: The subject matter for each topic area will be discrete and
there will be only one question on each topic offered on each paper.
 For Paper 1, we will no longer have the unit Power and Authority. Material from the current unit
on Social Stratification will be included in a new unit on Social Inequality. The unit Media in Paper
2 will be updated to take account of new media.
 The number of questions that candidates are asked to complete on each paper will be reduced.
Paper 1 will become 2 hours in length which includes 15 minutes recommended reading time.
Candidates will answer one compulsory question on Unit 1 and one other question from two
optional units. Paper 2 will remain at 1 hour 45 minutes in length, but will now include fifteen
minutes reading time. Candidates will choose two question from a choice of four optional units.
 The assessment structure will remain the same, although, apart from Unit 1, all questions will
have five parts, focusing more on understanding and interpretation.
 The unit Theory and Methods will offer a source stimulus which could be numerical or written
data such as those used for practical exercises in textbooks.

These proposed changes would retain the most popular elements of the syllabus: choice of units,
simplicity of structure and overall assessment scheme.

These changes would have the following benefits:

 The reduction in content, question choice and paper length updates the syllabus, enables
candidates to better focus their learning and revision and removes the problem of candidates
having too much selection.
 Discrete units prevent overlap in topics and questions and enhance clarity in teacher planning
and delivery.
 Retention of the most popular and successful units and amending others in line with subject
development.
 Better distinction in levels between Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International AS/A Level.
 Better progression in skills, content and paper style and structure between Cambridge IGCSE
and Cambridge International AS/A Level.
 More focus on understanding, practical interpretation, enquiry and analytical skills.
 Streamlining between both papers.
 The provision of reading time on the papers encourages candidates to plan answers more and
to consider their approaches.
 Maintenance of the rigour and high standards that the qualification sets.
Content for Paper 1

This would require candidates to study Theory and Methods, together with Culture, Identity and
Socialisation and Social Inequality. There will no longer be a unit on Power and Politics and
stratification will be a theme in the unit on Social Inequality. The paper will be 2 hours long, include
15 minutes reading time and will be worth 55 marks.

Paper 1 will cover:

Unit 1: Theory and Methods

 Macro and micro viewpoints
 Devising a research strategy
 Positivist and Interpretivist research approaches
 Sociological research methods
 Problems with research data
 Primary and secondary data
 Using quantitative and qualitative data
 s

Unit 2: Culture, Identity and Socialisation

 Primary and secondary socialisation
 Agencies of socialisation
 Stratification and social identity
 Diversity and cultural variation
 Conformity and non-conformity

Unit 3: Social Inequality

 Forms of social stratification
 Ascribed and achieved status and social mobility
 Wealth, income and poverty
 Ethnicity, prejudice and discrimination
 Changing gender roles

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Content for Paper 2

This would require candidates to study four optional units on Family, Education, Crime and
Deviance and Social Control, as well as the Media. One question will be set on each unit.
Candidates must select two questions to answer. Paper 2 will be 1 hour 45 minutes in length,
include 15 minutes reading time and be worth 50 marks.

Paper 2 will cover:

Unit 4: The Family

 Definitions of the family
 Structure of the family
 Variations of the family
 Alternatives to the family
 Changing roles and relationships in the family

Unit 5: Education
 Role of education
 Influence of education
 Changes in education
 Patterns of educational achievement
 Policies to address social disadvantages in education

Unit 6: Crime, Deviance and Social Control

 Definitions of crime and deviance
 Measurements of crime and their limitations
 Patterns of crime
 Explanations of crime
 Sub-cultures and youth cultures

Unit 7: The Media

 Various forms of the media
 Contemporary culture and communication
 Nature of the media
 Impact and influence of the media
 Development of the new media.

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Assessment for Paper 1 and Paper 2

Paper 1 will have two sections. Section A will consist of one compulsory stimulus question on
Theory and Methods using a structured data response format. Section B will consist of two stimulus
questions each with five parts on two different units from which the candidate would be required to
answer one question. The weighting will be 55% for section A and 45% for section B. The increase
in the number of shorter and source interpretation questions will cater to candidates of varying
abilities.

The unit Theory and Methods will offer a source stimulus which could be numerical or written data
such as those used for practical exercises in textbooks. This is designed for candidates to show
practical interpretation of sociological knowledge, and will enable all candidates to use what is
provided. In other questions short stem introductions will continue to be used but are likely to
contain more specific data and will be more focused to angle the question for the candidates.

Paper 2 will consist of four questions drawn from the four different units offered from which
candidates must answer two questions. These are all stimulus questions, each with five parts. All
questions on this paper have equal marks and weightings. Parts will take a familiar form as in
previous years although there will be greater attention to the stepping of questions and to increasing
the nature of enquiry and practical application.

Structure of the proposed assessment

Paper 1
2 hours (including 15 minutes reading time) 55 marks

Content:
Unit 1: Theory and Methods
Unit 2: Culture, Identity and Socialisation
Unit 3: Social Inequality

Assessment:
There will be one compulsory question based on a stimulus source for Unit 1 and one question for
each of Unit 2 and Unit 3. Candidates will answer the compulsory question and ONE other question
from either Unit 2 or Unit 3. Questions for Unit 2 and Unit 3 have 5 parts, focusing on understanding,
practical interpretation, enquiry and analytical skills.

Paper 2
1 hour 45 minutes (including 15 minutes reading time) 50 marks

Content:
Unit 4: The Family
Unit 5: Education
Unit 6: Crime, Deviance and Social Control
Unit 7: The Media

Assessment:
There will be one question for each of the four units. Candidates will answer two questions. All
questions have 5 parts, focusing on understanding, practical interpretation, enquiry and analytical
skills.