What is the course?

It is a broad introduction to Modern Studies, which is a 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

The S3 course will begin to develop and refine the key skills  specific to Modern Studies. These include:

• Applying knowledge and understanding of historical topics
• Interpreting written and statistical sources of evidence
• Forming views and opinions based on factual evidence

How will I learn?

• Using field work and primary source research to investigate historical issues
• Lessons use video clips, music, library resources and other media to enrich the learning experience.
• Students can often choose a range of ways to present their work according to their preferred learning style.
• Assessments are graded on a gold, silver and bronze scale to make it easier to see how to progress to the next level and set targets

What topics will I learn?

The S3 course focuses on world powers and world issues:

• Pressure Groups and the Media – How these organisations and platforms influence government decisions, shape public opinion, and impact the democratic process through campaigns, protests, lobbying, and news or social media coverage. Full of debate!

• North Korea (History, Politics, Social Issues) – Covers political system, leadership, lack of democracy and human rights, controlled media, and the impact of dictatorship on the country’s people and international relations. Comparing the lives of those in North Korea, to our own lives in Scotland.
• Social Inequality in the UK and the World (poverty in the UK, poverty around the world and attempts to solve these issues) – What are the causes and effects of poverty in the UK, as well as the efforts made by governments and organisations to reduce inequality and improve living standards. Debating and decision making included.
• ‘Hot Topics’ research based unit—National level research project (skills based and pupil-led learning). A variety of Hot Topics available, including, Death Penalty and Nature VS Nurture: Serial Killers.
• Research – Select and research a topic related to the Modern World regarding, Social, Economic-or Political aspects.

Curricular Pathways: S3 Modern Studies also allows progression to National level Modern Studies, History, Geography, Business Management and Administration.

What skills are developed?

Hot Skills:

• Knowledge – describing, explaining, analysing and evaluating (making judgements based on evidence)
• Interpreting written and statistical information to make decisions or form conclusions
• Detecting bias, omission or selective use of facts

Skills for life, learning and work:

• Structured writing and close reading
• Organisation and time-management
• Revision techniques and strategies

How will I be assessed?

A range of assessment techniques is used:

• Rich assessments produced as part of classwork
• Formal exam style assessments
• A final National level style research project

What might this help me with when I leave school?

Careers or further study Social care, Healthcare, Teaching, Archaeology, Politics, Diplomatic and Civil Service, Media and Broadcasting, Law and the Police, and Journalism.