The National 5 Modern Studies course encourages candidates to develop a greater understanding of the contemporary world and their place in it. They also have opportunities to develop important attitudes such as respect for the values, beliefs and cultures of others; openness to new thinking and ideas; and a sense of responsibility and global citizenship.
The course emphasises the development and application of skills. The focus on evaluating sources and making decisions develops thinking skills, as well as skills in literacy and numeracy. Investigative and critical thinking activities give candidates opportunities to gain important experience in contributing to group work and working on their own.
At National level pupils study three SQA units for their qualification. The National 5 Exam Paper features 9 Knowledge and Understanding questions, 3 Enquiry Skills questions and pupils complete an assignment marked externally by SQA.
National 4 has not formal exam. The Assignment at National 4/5 involves the pupil choosing a topic for study and researching the topic using 2 sources and then coming to conclusions about their topic and analysing their sources. At national 5 it is worth 20% of the overall mark.
In Kilsyth Academy we study the following:
The First Unit is UK Political Issues:
Democracy in Scotland, in which we build on our knowledge of the UK political system and study devolution, local government and influence of Scottish Pressure Groups on decision making. We develop at the skill of identifying selectivity in sources and visit the Scottish Parliament.
The Second Unit is Social Issues:
Crime and Law, in which we look at reasons for crime, the role of the police and ways to tackle crime, drug and alcohol law and the Criminal Justice System in Scotland. We develop at the skill of decision making and have visits from Police Scotland and a visit to the High Court in Glasgow.
The Third Unit is the International Issues:
World Issue Study – Terrorism. We look at the causes, impact and responses to terrorism. We develop the skill of making conclusions.
