This interactive activity is designed for AQA A Level Sociology: Beliefs in Society and fits the part of the specification covering the relationship between social change and social stability, and religious beliefs, practices and organisations. Beliefs in Society is taught and assessed within Paper 2: Topics in Sociology, so students need to be able to debate whether religion mainly supports the status quo or can become a force for social change.
In this courtroom activity, students act as the prosecution or defence and place evidence cards to build a case around the claim that religion is mainly a force for social change. The task is especially useful for applying arguments linked to Marx, Weber, Billings, Bloch, Maduro, Bruce and Bellah, and for developing stronger evaluation by weighing religion as both a conservative force and, in some contexts, a force for change or resistance.
Change or Control Courtroom
Stage 1 builds the case. Stage 2 sorts key theories into whether religion mainly promotes continuity or change in norms and values.
Evidence bank
Courtroom sides
Religion is a force for social change
Religion mainly supports control and continuity
Place some evidence cards, then click Judge the case.
The judge’s reasoning will appear here.
No evaluation yet.
Drag the theorists into place, then click Judge theory stage.
No overall evaluation yet.
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