The aim of Modern Studies is to develop knowledge and understanding of the modern world we live in and the issues that arise in it. The course is split into four main units of work:

• Democracy in Scotland the UK

You will study the UK political system in depth, including role of the Government in holding the Prime Minister to account. You will look at the ability of voting systems to provide fair representation. You will also study influences on voting, such as the Media.  You will also look at alternative systems of governance for Scotland, such as becoming an independent country. 

• Social Inequality in the UK

You will study social issues which impact on day to day life of people living in the UK. You will focus on issues such as poverty and health in the UK. The course also looks at barriers people face in life and what the Government has put in place to combat these issues. 

• International issues

This unit will focus on a world power: the USA. You will study topics including the checks and balances of the US political system, the international influence of the USA,  social inequality and government responses to tackle social issues.

Assignment: planning and undertaking a research topic of your choice.

This is a topic you select yourself and carry out your own independent research on. You then write up your findings in exam conditions. This is sent to the SQA and counts for 27% of your final grade.

You will receive regular feedback on your progress from homework tasks, end of unit assessments, timed questions and prelim exams.

Final exam: This will take place in the exam diet between April and June. There are two papers. Paper 1 is essays and is worth 52 marks. Paper 2 assesses skills and is worth 28 marks. 

Assignment: planning and undertaking a research topic of your choice.

You will investigate a topic of your choice. You write up your findings under exam conditions. This is sent to the SQA and counts for 27% of your final grade

Higher Modern Studies https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47924.html