COURSE OVERVIEW:  
If you choose National 3 and 4 Social Subjects, you will study the 3 subjects of Geography, History and Modern Studies. The subjects will be taught independently of each other and your class will attend lessons each week within the different departments and be taught by separate subject teachers.  The aim, by the end of the course, is that you will have achieved 3 qualifications, either at National 3 or 4 level, one in each subject area. 

 

ENTRY LEVEL – What do I need to do it? 

• You do not need to have done Social Subjects Electives to do National 3 or 4 Social Subjects.   
• Anyone can choose National 3 or 4 at the end of S3.   
• Your S3 teacher will tell you what your recommended level of study would be at the end of S3. 
• The topics are the same for National 3 and 4, so everyone will do the same course and a decision about your final level will be made towards the end of S4. 

 

TEACHING METHODS – What will I do? 
In the Social Subjects department we use a variety of teaching methods. You will be working as an individual much of the time, but often, also, in pairs, groups or as a whole class.  You will look at pictures, maps, graphs and photographs, watch short clips and have lots of discussion to help aid understanding.   You will be given opportunities to create presentations and posters, to use ICT and take part in research and investigations.  You will, of course, be doing some reading and writing, but your teachers will aim to make your learning as active and fun as possible.   

 

ASSESSMENT 

	National 3	National 4
Unit Assessments	You will have to pass an assessment for each of the three units.  This assessment could be anything from a poster, to a talk to a test.  This will be marked by your teacher.
Added Value  (This is SQA jargon for a piece of  course-work.)	There is no Added Value unit for National 3 Social Subjects.		The Added Value for National 4 is an project on a topic of your choice from the ones that have been studied in the course.  This will be marked by your teacher.
Exam	There is no end of course exam for National 3 Social Subjects.   If you pass all three unit assessments, you will be awarded a National 3.		There is no end of course exam for National 4 Social Subjects.   If you pass all three unit assessments and your Added Value project, you will be awarded a National 4.

 

PROGRESSION IN THE SENIOR PHASE
A National 3 pass could lead to National 4 in S5.
A National 4 pass could lead to National 5 in S5.