A Level Sociology Beliefs in Society Religion Bundle

A-Level Sociology Beliefs in Society Revision Bundle

Everything you need to revise Beliefs in Society for AQA A-level sociology Paper 2 (7192/2), with notes at two depths so you can start early and finish fast.

Two sets of notes

• Mid-depth notes, 50 pages. Every topic on the specification, with the key thinkers, the studies and the evaluation.
• At a Glance sheets, 15 in colour. One sheet per area. For the final weeks, and for printing and sticking on a wall.

Both are new for 2026.

The 16 topics

1. Defining religion, science and ideology
2. The functionalist perspective on religion
3. Marxist and neo-Marxist perspectives on religion
4. Weber: the Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism
5. Feminist perspectives on religion
6. Postmodern and late modern perspectives on religion
7. Religion, social change and conflict
8. Churches, denominations, sects and cults
9. New religious movements
10. The New Age movement
11. Religion, social class and gender
12. Religion, ethnicity and age
13. Secularisation: definitions and evidence
14. Explaining secularisation: disengagement, rationalisation and pluralism
15. Globalisation and fundamentalism
16. The clash of civilisations: Huntington and Armstrong

Also inside

7 mind maps: an overview of the module, the functionalist perspective, the Marxist perspective, the neo-Marxist perspective, radical feminist perspectives, postmodern theories of religion, and religion in postmodern times (David Lyon). Plus a religious organisations summary grid.

The nine exam questions, with model answers

10 mark outline and explain questions

• Outline and explain two ways in which religion might promote social change (10)
• Outline and explain two ways in which religious organisations have changed in response to globalisation (10)
• Outline and explain two reasons why some groups are more likely than others to join world-rejecting new religious movements (10)

10 mark analyse using the item questions

• Applying material from the item, analyse two criticisms of the view that religion is merely a tool of oppression (10)
• Applying material from the item, analyse two reasons for gender differences in the membership of religious organisations (10)
• Applying material from the item, analyse two reasons why younger people are generally less religious than older people (10)

20 mark essay questions

• Evaluate the view that religion no longer acts as a shared universe of meaning for people today (20)
• Evaluate the view that religious beliefs and organisations are barriers to social change (20)
• Evaluate the view that globalisation has resulted in the declining significance of religion for society and individuals (20)

Written by someone who marked the paper

Karl Thompson taught A-level sociology for eighteen years and spent twelve as an AQA examiner, marking all three papers on the current specification. The notes are written to what the mark schemes actually reward: AO1 for knowledge, AO2 for application and AO3 for evaluation, which is where most marks are lost.

For teachers

The At a Glance sheets work as revision lessons and cover work, and the model answers as marking practice. For class or department use, please get in touch first.

A full rewrite is coming

The notes and sheets above are the current edition. A fully rewritten edition is in progress. Buy before the end of March 2027 and you will get it free when it is released.

PDFs in a single zip file, for your personal study. Pay what you like, from £5.99. Instant download.