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:

• The USA (History, Politics, Social Issues)
• Social Inequality in the UK and the World (poverty in the UK, poverty around the world and attempts to solve these issues)
• Pressure Groups and the Media
• China and Human Rights
• ‘Hot Topics’ research based unit—National level research project (skills based and pupil-led learning)

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.