Postmodernism

    OCR
    GCSE

    Candidates must analyse Postmodernism as a distinct sociological paradigm that rejects the 'metanarratives' of Modernity (Marxism, Functionalism, Science). The study focuses on the transition from a production-based society to a consumption-based, media-saturated global society. Key focus areas include the fragmentation of identity, the death of the social, and the concept of hyperreality. Assessment requires evaluating whether Postmodernism accurately describes contemporary society or merely obscures continuing structural inequalities like class and gender.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for explicit definition of key concepts: media saturation, consumer culture, pick-and-mix identities, and globalisation.
    • Credit responses that contrast Postmodern views on fluidity with Structuralist views on constraint (e.g., Marxism's economic determinism).
    • Candidates must apply Postmodernist theory to specific specification areas: Family (diversity/choice), Crime (media representation), or Stratification (consumption over production).
    • High-level responses must evaluate the limitations of Postmodernism, such as the continued relevance of poverty and structural inequality.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit definition of key concepts: media saturation, consumer culture, pick-and-mix identities, and globalisation.
    • Credit responses that contrast Postmodern views on fluidity with Structuralist views on constraint (e.g., Marxism's economic determinism).
    • Candidates must apply Postmodernist theory to specific specification areas: Family (diversity/choice), Crime (media representation), or Stratification (consumption over production).
    • High-level responses must evaluate the limitations of Postmodernism, such as the continued relevance of poverty and structural inequality.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Utilise Postmodernism primarily as a 'counter-perspective' in 12 or 24-mark essays to critique Functionalist or Marxist arguments.
    • 💡When discussing identity, explicitly link 'consumption' to 'status'; individuals define themselves by what they buy, not what they do.
    • 💡In 'Evaluate' questions, ensure the conclusion addresses the 'extent' of Postmodernism's validity—does it apply to everyone or just the wealthy?
    • 💡Use specific terminology like 'fragmentation' and 'diversity' rather than general terms like 'change' or 'difference'.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Asserting that social class or gender 'no longer exist' rather than arguing their influence has changed or fragmented.
    • Confusing Postmodernism with Interactionism; while both look at micro-level agency, Postmodernism specifically focuses on societal shifts like globalisation and technology.
    • Failing to provide specific sociological evidence or theorists, relying instead on general observations about 'modern life'.

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent
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