The Modern Studies course will encourage learners to develop important attitudes, including: an open mind and respect for the values, beliefs and cultures of others; openness to new thinking and ideas; and a sense of responsibility and global citizenship.
Pupils will be involved in cooperative, active learning where they will develop their analytical skills. The investigative and critical thinking activities in this course give learners important experience in contributing to group work and also working on their own. Learners will acquire attributes which will be important for their life and work.
Content covered here is Crime and the Law; Democracy in Scotland and the UK and our chosen World Issue – Terrorism. Pupils must complete three end-of-unit assessments to pass the course and also an Added Value Unit (a research project) is compulsory at National 4 level. This research project lets the students choose an area of particular interest to them and investigate it through their own personal research supported by their class teacher.
National 5
Content here is the same as in the National 3/4 course. However, this course has an external SQA assessment and an Assignment which makes up 20% of the overall grade.
Higher
The Higher course has three broad curricular areas which are:
Entry Requirements
National 3 course > National 4 course; National 4 course > National 5 course; National 5 course with A-C pass > Higher course; Higher course pass > Higher Politics; Higher course A/Cpass > Advanced Higher Modern Studies course (run currently by Glasgow Caledonian University Hub).
Assessment
The National 5 exam consists of the assignment write-up (1 hour) and a 2h 20m exam. The Higher assessment consists of a 1h 30m assignment and two exam papers. Paper 1 (1h 45m) essay basedand Paper 2 (1h 15m) Skills based.
Progression
Many employers and universities regard a qualification in Modern Studies as particularly valuable. University courses in the Humanities, Journalism and Law are particularly keen on pupils who are qualified in Modern Studies.
