| Courses and Levels Taught in Department |
Geography
| Subject |
Geography |
| Staff |
- A Mossie
- S Taylor
- S Torbet
|
| Summary |
Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the human societies spread across it. They also examine how human culture interacts with the natural environment and the way that locations and places can have an impact on people. Geography seeks to understand where things are found, why they are there, and how they develop and change over time. |
| Skills |
Reading, numeracy handling, applying, analysing and evaluating, Research skills including fieldwork skills: gathering, processing, interpreting |
| Career pathways |
Environmental consultant, travel consultant, conservation manager, meteorologist, hydrologist, town planner, travel journalist, cartographer, pollution analyst, geography teacher, landscape architect |
History
| Subject |
History |
| Staff |
- Mrs Kelly
- Mrs Noakes
- Mrs Steele
|
| Summary |
At Kilmarnock Academy, pupils will learn about the following topics from History:
S1
- The Scottish Witch-Hunts, 1560s – 1700s
S2
- The Romans
- The Black Death 1345 – 1351
- The Holocaust, 1933 – 1945
- Mary, Queen of Scots
S3
- Scotland and the Great War, 1900-1914
- Civil Rights in the USA, 1900-1969
- The Cold War, 1945 – 1990
- Northern Ireland and the Troubles
National 3/4/5
- The Wars of Independence, 1286 – 1328
- The Atlantic Slave Trade, 1770-1807
- Hitler and Nazi Germany, 1919-1939
Higher
Paper One
- Britain, 1850-1951
- Germany, 1815 – 1939
Paper Two
- The Wars of Independence, 1249-1328 OR Migration and Empire, 1830-1928
Advanced Higher
- Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of the Second World War
|
| Skills |
History not only develops an understanding of the past, but also offers us an insight into how the world and society came to be where it is today. Over their time in History, pupils will learn:
- Why some societies thrive while others fail.
- Why humans have gone to war.
- How people/events have changed society.
Pupils will also develop the following skills in History:
- A detailed and accurate knowledge and understanding of historical themes and events
- Research and analyse historical information
- Source handling such as being able to evaluate the origin, purpose, content and/or context of historical sources
- Present information in a structured manner
- Develop critical understanding and reasoning
- Evaluate the different factors contributing to historical developments
- Evaluate the impact of historical developments
- Draw reasoned conclusions supported by evidence
|
| Career pathways |
- Historian
- History teacher
- Archaeologist
- Museum Curator
- Genealogist
- Archivist
- Librarian
- Reporter/Journalist
- Political analyst
- Business consultant
- Civil Service administrator
- Editorial assistant
- Human resources officer
- Information officer
- Marketing executive
- Policy officer
- Politician’s assistant
- Solicitor / Lawyer
- Talent agent
|
Modern Studies
| Subject |
Modern Studies |
| Staff |
- F. Milne
- C. Cowan
- B. Wallace
|
| Summary |
Modern Studies is a current and dynamic subject that explores the world we live in today. It covers key themes such as human rights and democracy, citizenship, social issues, and world powers. We also look at local, Scottish, UK, and international contexts. |
| Skills |
Modern Studies helps develop numerous interdisciplinary skills. These include:
Ø Literacy
Ø Numeracy
Ø Information handling
Ø Problem solving
Ø Communication and debating
Ø Critical thinking |
| Career pathways |
Aid worker, charity/NGO worker, criminologist, journalist, judge, lawyer, police officer, Member of (Scottish) Parliament, prison officer, researcher, social worker, teacher |
RMPS
| Subject |
Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies |
| Staff |
Miss Borland |
| Summary
What will I study ? |
Scotland is a nation whose people hold a wide range of beliefs. Such diversity enriches the Scottish nation and serves as an inspiring and thought-provoking background for young people to develop their own beliefs and values.
Religious and moral education enables children and young people to explore the world’s major religions and views which are independent of religious belief and to consider the challenges posed by these beliefs and values. It supports them in developing and reflecting upon their values and their capacity for moral judgement. Through developing awareness and appreciation of the value of each individual in a diverse society, religious and moral education engenders responsible attitudes to other people. This awareness and appreciation will assist in counteracting prejudice and intolerance as children and young people consider issues such as sectarianism and discrimination more broadly.
Learning through religious and moral education enables children and young people to:
• recognise religion as an important expression of human experience
• learn about and from the beliefs, values, practices and traditions of Christianity and the world religions selected for study, other traditions, and viewpoints independent of religious belief
• explore and develop knowledge and understanding of religions
• investigate and understand the responses which religious and non-religious views can offer to questions about the nature and meaning of life
• recognise and understand religious diversity and the importance of religion in society
• develop respect for others and an understanding of beliefs and practices which are different from their own
• explore and establish values such as wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity and engage in the development of and reflection upon their own moral values
• develop their beliefs, attitudes, values and practices through reflection, discovery and critical evaluation
• develop the skills of reflection, discernment, critical thinking and deciding how to act when making moral decisions
• make a positive difference to the world by putting their beliefs and values into action
• establish a firm foundation for lifelong learning, further learning and adult life.
RMPS teaches you about real life challenges, why people believe and behave the way they do and philosophical problems:
- Understanding morality and ethics
- Justice – what it is, how it is managed, religious views, non-religious views
- Medical Ethics – beginning of life (IVF/Stem Cell Research), prolongation of life (organ donation), end of life (assisted dying,
- Discrimination
- Treatment of animals and the environment
- Relationships
- Conflict
- The possible origins of the universe
- Discussions on the existence of God
- Do miracles happen?
- Why is there evil and suffering in the world?
- Key beliefs of different religions
- Key practices of religions
- The place of religion in society
- The psychology of kindness/happiness/fulfilment
|
| Skills |
- Critical Thinking
- Assimilating information
- Communication
- Discussion
- Exploring a wide range of viewpoints
- How to approach philosophical questions
- Recording information
- Research and enquiry
- Reflection
- Evaluation
- Drawing complex conclusions
- Literacy
- Analysis
- Citizenship
|
| Career pathways |
- Civil Service
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Government
- Law
- Teaching
- Journalism
- Politics
- Tourism
|
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