Modern Studies

Modern Studies is an enriching and challenging course that will develop a range of important skills and knowledge. Modern Studies allows learners to explore real-world issues that have a direct impact on them and how they can be active citizens in shaping decisions. It helps learners form opinions and thoughts about the world around them to become more informed about their society and the rest of the world.

Modern Studies is beneficial for many career paths, including:

Police

Politics

Law

Social Work

Teaching

Economics

Civil Service

Sociology

Journalism

BGE S1/S2 topics include:

S1 – Investigating the USA & Decision Making in Scotland

S2 – Human Rights & Conflict and Resolution.

National 5 Modern Studies involves exploring three topic areas and also a range of skills.

Unit	What is covered?
Democracy in the UK	Power and decision making Participation Influence Representation Voting Systems
Social Inequality in the UK	Nature of social inequality Causes of social and economic inequality Consequences of social and economic inequality Responses to social inequality
Underdevelopment in Africa	Nature and causes of underdevelopment Consequences of underdevelopment Attempts to resolve underdevelopment Evaluation of international organisations in tackling underdevelopment.
Skills	Support and Oppose Decision Making Conclusions

Assessment

For National 5, a final exam paper (2 hr 20 min) makes up 80% of the final award, and there is also a course assignment, which involves learners creating and conducting their own research question. This is worth 20% of the final course award.

Higher Modern Studies

Higher Modern Studies is more advanced than National 5, delving deeper into political, social and international issues. This also provides a deeper understanding of more complex concepts and develops further skills such as analysis, evaluation and synthesising evidence.

Unit	What is covered?
Democracy in Scotland and the UK	Possible alternatives for the governance of Scotland, implications of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) Effectiveness of parliamentary representatives in holding the government to account Strengths and weaknesses of different electoral systems Factors which influence voting behaviour Ways in which citizens can influence government decision-making.
Crime and Law	Legal rights and responsibilities of UK citizens Causes and theories of crime Impact of crime Social and economic impact of crime Effectiveness of custodial and non-custodial responses to crime
World Power – USA	The extent to which the political system allows democratic participation Political institutions and their ability to dominate government decision-making Socio-economic inequality and its impact on a specific group in society Effectiveness of government responses to socio-economic inequality A world powers’ international influence
Skills	Objectivity Conclusion Analysis Evaluation Reliability of sources

Assessment

The final exam includes two exam papers. Paper 1 consists of knowledge-based questions, which make up 47% of the final award. Paper 2 is comprised of three skill-based questions using a range of diverse sources, which make up 26% of the final award. The remaining marks come from the course assignment, which involves learners creating and conducting their own research question. This makes up 27% of the overall course award.

Calderhead High School

Modern Studies

BGE S1/S2 topics include:

Assessment

Higher Modern Studies

Assessment

Community, Ambition, Respect, Equity