Modern Studies

Course Overview

National 4/5 Modern Studies focuses on understanding current social and political issues around the world. Students will build skills in debating controversial modern topics, as well as learn to evaluate information/evidence in order to support and oppose a point of view, use sources to construct detailed arguments and draw their own conclusions from different sources of information. They will gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the following three units:

SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN THE UK 

• Why is there such a huge divide between the rich and poor in the UK? 

• Is the Government doing enough to tackle poverty? 

• Should we be giving benefits to those who are out-of-work? 

• Why is life expectancy in some areas of Glasgow lower than Afghanistan? 

DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND 

• Should Scotland go independent? 

• What are the consequences of Brexit? 

• What do MSPs do to represent me? 

• What goes on in the Scottish Parliament? 

• How does our voting systems work? 

• How can I get involved in politics? 

THE USA 

• Can President Biden unite America? 

• Why are ethnic minorities far more likely to live in poverty in the USA? 

• What does the Government do to tackle inequalities? 

• What is the American Dream and is it achievable? 

• Was Trump a good President? 

Learning and Teaching Approaches

Modern Studies lessons are varied and will include a range of group and individual activities, class discussion and debate and library and internet research. Your teacher will set clear targets for you to complete and the work will be set at an appropriate level for you. 

Homework

You will receive homework on a regular basis. This might involve finishing off class work, doing exam skills practice questions, revising for assessments or undertaking research into investigation work. 

Assessment Approaches

Course assessment at National 4:

• Internally assessed with no external exam

Course assessment at National 5:

• Assignment: 20 marks (20%) 

• Question Paper: 80 marks (80%)