Modern Studies

What is Modern Studies?

It is a broad social sciences course that covers three main disciplines:

Politics – government, participation, rights and influence in political systems
Sociology – the study of inequalities among different groups, and their causes and impacts on society.
International Relations – power, Influence and decision making between countries

What skills are developed?

Hot Skills:

Knowledge – describing, explaining, analysing and evaluating (making judgements based on evidence)
Using evidence – identifying, interpreting, comparing, evaluating reliability

Skills for life, learning and work:

Essay writing and close reading
Organisation and time-management
Revision techniques and strategies

What kind of person does it take?

Likes to argue or question issues
Can work with others to share ideas and views in a respectful and open-minded way
Someone who can reflect on themselves and their learning
Sets targets and plots the steps toward them
Motivated and willing to work at home and in school
Regularly accesses the media– TV News, Newspapers, Internet newsfeeds

Horizons – where can this subject take you?

Modern Studies provides a knowledge and skills base for a broad range of careers in the modern world.

Education and Social Care: Teaching (recommended with another subject to dual qualify), Social Work, Child care, Nursing/Medicine, Psychology

Public Service: Politics, Law, Diplomatic Service (recommended with French), Civil Service, Police, Armed Forces (particularly for officer candidates)

Media: Journalism, Broadcasting

Academic: Lecturing, Researcher

Pathways – how can I make progression?