October/November 2024 Exam Analysis: Sociology 9699
The October/November 2024 series for 9699 Sociology (Papers 1 and 2) presented a fair yet rigorous assessment of candidates' conceptual grasp, empirical application, and evaluative depth. Maintaining the standard structure of 60 marks per paper over a 1 hour 30 minutes duration, the exam rewarded students who moved beyond rote memorisation to showcase critical synthesis and methodological awareness. Overall, Paper 1 leaned slightly more towards applied research design, while Paper 2 tested classic sociological macro-theories against contemporary family dynamics.
Paper 1: Socialisation, Identity and Methods of Research
Paper 1 successfully integrated key debates around identity with fundamental methodological concepts. In Section A, the opening question on sampling techniques was highly accessible, demanding simple definitions and examples of methods such as snowball or stratified random sampling. However, the high-tariff 10-marker on how the media shapes youth identity required a precise deployment of concepts like hegemonic representations and Thornton's youth subcultures. The major pitfall here was candidates writing generalized essays on 'the media' without linking it directly to the social construction of youth.
The elective Section B options highlighted the split between theory and methods. Question 4, focusing on the crisis of masculinity and hegemonic male identity, was a popular choice. High-scoring scripts balanced the 'crisis of masculinity' thesis (driven by the decline in traditional manufacturing) against the persistence of traditional gender roles using theorists like Connell and Messerschmidt. In contrast, Question 5 on covert participant observation offered a clear methodological path, where top marks required a balanced evaluation of ethical compromises versus the gain in ecological validity and verstehen.
Paper 2: The Family
Paper 2 maintained its structural continuity, challenging students to evaluate classical perspectives in the light of late-modern trends. Section A's focus on grandparental contributions and Marxist feminist views of the family was highly structured. The 8-mark question on women maintaining capitalism required explicit references to the reproduction of labour power and the absorption of male frustration (e.g., Ansley's 'lightning conductors'). A common examiner pitfall was a tendency to write general feminist essays without focusing specifically on the Marxist feminist dimension, leading to dropped marks under AO1.
In Section B, Question 4 on functionalist explanations of the family was a classic question that enabled students to showcase structural theories. However, to reach the top mark bands, essays needed to go beyond simply listing Parsons' and Murdock's functions; they required a sustained critique from conflict and postmodern perspectives. Question 5, which evaluated the social construction of childhood, was equally popular. The best answers juxtaposed the 'march of progress' view (Aries, Shorter) with the reality of class inequalities, gendered socialisation, and toxic childhood (Palmer).
Key Strategy and Future Predictions
To maximize performance in future series, candidates must focus heavily on the following areas:
- Command Word Precision: Differentiating clearly between 'Explain' (requiring conceptual depth and sociological pathways) and 'Evaluate' (requiring a balanced, sustained debate with explicit counterarguments).
- Avoid Determinism: Steer clear of treating individuals as passive recipients of socialisation, whether discussing media influence or childhood exposure.
- Integrating Theory and Method: Methodological questions should always be supported with empirical research studies (e.g., using Whyte or Humphreys to discuss participant observation) to secure high AO2 marks.