Social Subjects

In S1 and 2 you will study topics from Geography, History, Modern Studies and RMPS. Topics included are

o   MAPPING

o   HAZARDS

o   ICE AGE

o   RICH WORLD/POOR WORLD

o   WILLIAM WALLACE

o   ROBERT THE BRUCE

o   CIVIL RIGHTS

o   WW1

o   DEMOCRACY

o   GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

o   SCOTTISH POLITICS

o   SOCIAL INEQUALITIES

o   CREATION TO CHRISTMAS

o   THE JOHN MUIR AWARD

o   BUDDHISM

o   JUDAISM

PUPILS WILL CHOOSE 2 SUBJECTS TO STUDY IN S3 FROM GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY OR MODERN STUDIES. 

Geography

The S3 Geography course will be divided into 4 key topic areas. We will focus on Geographical Skills and fieldwork, Global Issues, Physical and Human environments.

GEOGRAPHICAL SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES

How do we gather information and how can we use maps?

•         Pupils will have the opportunity to be involved in fieldwork both within the school grounds and around Aberdeen to develop their researching skills.

•         We will develop the skills needed in Geography such as using a range of Ordnance Survey maps and other data such as tables and graphs.

THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

How does a river form?

•         Pupils will study how Rivers form and how they have created many landscapes found in Scotland.

•         Pupils will have the opportunity to do River fieldwork out of school.

THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT

Why do people live where they do and what are the reasons they move?

•         Pupils will study Population. We will look at where people live and why and then look at the reasons why they might move.

•         We will study current case studies looking at the immigrants crossing the Mediteranean Sea and the reasons many nationalities have moved to Scotland and the UK in recent years.

GLOBAL ISSUES

Why do hurricanes, tornadoes, bush fires and flooding happen?

•         Pupils will look at Climate Hazards that occur locally and globally.

•         We will study the cause of these hazards, the effects on people and the landscape and how they can be managed and controlled to limit the effects in the future.

History

The S3 History course will be divided into 4 key topic areas. We will focus on History Skills, Scottish History, British History and European/World History.

HISTORY SKILLS

•         Pupils will develop the skills needed in History such as source handling, description, explanation, analysis and evaluation.

SCOTTISH HISTORY

•         Pupils will study “The Jacobites”.

•         They will look at the social and political situation in the British Isles during the 17th-18th century and the Jacobite attempts to reclaim the kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland.

BRITISH HISTORY

•         Pupils will study “Votes for Women”.

•         They will look at what life was like for women at the turn of the previous century, the fight for women’s rights and evaluate why the vote was eventually awarded to some women in 1918.

EUROPEAN/WORLD HISTORY

•         Pupils will study “World War One”.

•         They will look at why the war started in 1914; the development of trench warfare; key battles; the impact of the war at home.

Modern Studies

The S3 Modern Studies course will be divided into 4 key topic areas. We will focus on Modern Studies Skills, Conflict, Participation and World Issues.

MODERN STUDIES SKILLS

•         Pupils will work on the skills they need in Modern Studies. This includes source handling, use of data and report writing.

CONFLICT

•         Pupils will study “Terrorism”

•         They will look at types of terrorism, the causes, the impact and the response to terrorist incidents. Pupils will use a variety of past and modern case studies.

PARTICIPATION

•         Pupils will study “Pressure Groups and Protests”

•         They will develop an understanding of what pressure groups are, look at case studies of successful pressure groups, understand different types of protest and assess their success.

WORLD ISSUES

•         Pupils will study “Hot Topics”.

•         They will study different issues, both local and global, and develop an understanding of their wider impact. For example, pupils may look in detail at US Immigration, Surveillance and Income Inequality.

What’s Involved

Pupils will study 3 core units. The Physical Environment, The Human Environment and Global Issues. Each unit will be broken down into smaller sub-topics. 

How you are assessed

• At National 4 pupils are assessed internally at school through ongoing class assessments and will have to complete a fieldwork report.

• At National 5, pupils are assessed by an external exam that is 2 hours 20 minutes and accounts for 80% of their grade. Pupils will also have to complete an assignment based on fieldwork that is sent to the SQA for marking and is 20% of their overall grade.

 Skills needed

• Pupils will need to understand the command words of Describe, Explain and Compare. 

• Pupils will also be expected to write extended answers with a good level of literacy.

• Reading and interpreting different types of maps is essential.

• Reading and interpreting different types of numerical data is essential such as graphs and tables.

What’s Involved

Pupils must attain a National 5 A or B grade in both a Social Subjects of Geography, History or Modern Studies as well as English to meet the course requirements.

 The Higher Geography Course is split into 4 areas of study and examined in 2 papers. Paper 1 covers items 1 and 2 below and paper 2 covers items 3 and 4

 1)  Physical Environments                                 3)  Environmental Interactions 

      i)   Atmosphere                                                   i)  River Basin Management    

      ii)  Lithosphere                                                    ii) Development and Health

      iii) Hydrosphere      

      iv) Biosphere

2)  Human Environments                                   4) Application of Skills

      i)   Population                                                        Use of OS Maps and critical thinking

      ii)  Rural 

      iii) Urban Land Use and Management  

 How you are assessed

 Pupils will sit 2 exam papers that accounts for 73% of their overall grade.

• Paper 1 is 1 hour and 50 minutes for 100 marks

• Paper 2 is 1 hour 10 minutes for 60 marks

What’s Involved

In depth study of 3 key topics. One British, One Scottish and one Global. We continue to develop the skills of analysis and evaluation as well as pupils broadening their understanding through explanation and description. Pupils will also be taught how to interpret and compare historical sources. They will also be required to write extended responses and show they can understand key terms.

How you are assessed

• N4 - no exam all internally assessed. You will have 3 unit assessments and an Added Value Unit to complete (this is an independent piece of work on a historical topic of your choice)

• N5 - 2 pieces of assessed work. Exam is 80% - 2 hours 20 mins on the 3 units. Assignment is externally marked and takes the form of an essay based on a question of pupils choosing. Pupils at N5 will be continually assessed throughout the year to ensure they are attaining at the correct level.

Skills needed

A good level is literacy is vital for History as pupils need to be able to access lengthy written sources. They also need to be able to note take and analyse information given. Pupils will be required to write extended responses and to structure these properly. They need to be capable of independent learning and revision. 

This course supports career pathways for journalism; teaching; law; museum work; police. The skill of looking at evidence from all sides and coming to an informed conclusion is invaluable in any occupation.

What’s Involved

Pupils must attain a National 5 A or B grade in both a Social Subjects of Geography, History or Modern Studies as well as English to meet the course requirements.

The first 2 units are essay based as pupils will have to write 5 essays per unit. The third unit is source based and requires a high level of comprehension. 

• British - Britain 1851-1951 - The development of the UK into a modern democracy and the development of the role of the state in the welfare of its citizens. Themes: authority, ideology and rights.

• European and World - USA 1918-1968 - Growing tensions in American Society, focussing on racial divisions, economic difficulties, the growth of federal powers and the struggle for civil rights. Themes: Ideology, identity and rights.

• Scottish - Migration and Empire 1830-1939 - Population and movement and social economic change in Scotland and abroad between 1830-39. Themes: Empire, migration and identity.

How you are assessed

• 2 x question papers: 80 marks (73%) Assignment: 30 marks (27%)

• Pupils must complete two 22 mark essays. One must be on British History and the other on European and World. Pupils will have 1hr 30 mins for this.

• They must also complete a source based paper worth 36 marks. This will assess the Scottish topic. Pupils will have 1hr 30 mins for this.

• Pupils will complete an assignment on a topic of their choosing from any area of the course content. This involves personal research and completion under exam conditions, using an essay plan. This is worth 30 marks.

• Pupils at Higher will be continually assessed throughout the year to ensure they are attaining at the correct level.

Skills needed

A high level of literacy is required as extended essays have to be written with a high levels of analysis and evaluation. A high level of self discipline and organisation is also required as the course is fast paced and essay deadlines have to be met. Pupils should have a high level of comprehension as complex written sources have to be interpreted.

This course supports career pathways for journalism; teaching; law; museum work; police. The skill of looking at evidence from all sides and coming to an informed conclusion is invaluable in any occupation.

What’s Involved

Pupils will study 3 core units, Democracy in the UK, Crime and Law and the USA. Pupils will complete source questions, working on comprehension and analytical skills.

How you are assessed

The National 4 qualification is assessed internally in school by 3 unit assessments:

• Democracy in the UK

• International Issues and World Power.

• Social Issues in the UK

• A Value Added Unit – there is a project based on a survey and its findings.

At National 5 qualification is assessed both internally and externally through an exam. The Modern Studies exam is 2hour 20mins in length and accounts for 80 marks. 20 marks are also available through their assignment. This is an independent project answering a social or political question of the pupil’s choosing. 

Skills needed

A good level of literacy is necessary for National Modern Studies as pupils must be able to interpret sources, draw conclusions and reach decisions based on what they have read. They must also need to understand the wording of knowledge questions to ensure they answer them accordingly. Pupils must have an interest in political and social issues before considering this course and it would be beneficial to regularly keep on top of the news stories as exemplification is needed in their answers. 

This course supports career pathways for journalism; teaching; law; museum work, government and the police. The skill of looking at evidence from all sides and coming to an informed conclusion is invaluable in any occupation and Modern Studies lends itself to this.

What’s Involved

Pupils must attain a National 5 A or B grade in both a Social Subjects of Geography, History or Modern Studies as well as English to meet the course requirements.

Pupils study 3 units - Democracy in Scotland/UK, Social Issues and the UK and USA.

Throughout the course, pupils will write extended responses and complete complex source handling skills.

How you are assessed 

Pupils will sit an exam in which they have to write extended essays and also complete source handling questions. Pupils will also undertake an independent research assignment where they will have to research a topic of their own choice and write a formal report on it under timed conditions. 

Skills needed

Pupils should have high levels of literacy and be able to produce extended written responses displaying analysis and Evaluation.  Pupils should be able to read sources and select relevant information. They should be able to make connections between sources. Pupils should have an interest in politics and world issues and be capable of researching independently and consistently meeting homework deadlines. 

This course supports career pathways for  journalism, teaching, law, business, management, local government and the Police.  Learners will develop a wide range of skills including detecting bias and exaggeration, drawing conclusions and evaluating and analysing complex social, political and economic issues.