Welcome

to the

Faculty of Social Subjects and RMPS

Geography

History

Modern Studies

RMPS

S1 Social Subjects

Students will study 3 subjects (Geography, History and Modern Studies) in rotation.

Students in previous years have had the opportunity to go on fieldtrips related to their courses such as:

S1 History Trip 2022 to Glasgow Women's Library/People's Palace.

(This trip allowed pupils to

S1 Geography Units

S1 History Units

S1 Modern Studies Units

National 4 Geography

There is no final exam at National 4 level and pupils have to pass four unit assessments in order to achieve a course award.

The four unit assessments are based on:

Physical Environments: pupils will develop a straightforward knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions at work in physical environments. Key topics include: location of landscape type; formation of key landscape features; land use management and sustainability; and weather. Landscape types will be chosen from: glaciated upland and coastal landscapes or upland limestone landscapes and river landscapes.
Human Environments: pupils will develop a straightforward knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions at work within human environments. They will study and compare ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries drawn from a global context. Key topics include: contrasts in development; world population distribution and change; and issues in changing urban and rural landscapes.
Global Issues: pupils will develop a straightforward knowledge and understanding of significant global geographical issues. Key topics include climate change; the impact of human activity on the natural environment; environmental hazards; trade and globalisation; tourism and health. Learners will study major global issues and the strategies adopted to manage these.
Added Value Unit: pupils will gather research information on a Geography topic of their choice from primary sources (fieldtrip), and/or secondary sources (books, documentaries the internet, OS maps etc.). They have to process this gathered data and interpret what it all means in a write-up / project.

National 5 Geography

The National 5 Geography course award is based on two assessment components:

The final exam contributes 80 marks and lasts 2 hours and 20 minutes. Questions are based on all aspects of the course:
- Section 1 is based on the physical environments topics (Weather and either Rivers and Limestone Landscapes or Glaciated and Coastal Landscapes).
- Section 2 is based on the human environments topics (Urban Landscapes, Rural Landscapes, Population and Development).
- Section 3 is based on the global issues topics (Natural Regions and Environmental Issues).
The Geography Assignment contributes 20 marks and lasts 1 hour. It is based on research the pupils have carried out (either on the fieldtrips or using secondary sources).

This provides 100 marks in total (externally marked by SQA).

Higher Geography

The Higher Geography course award is based on two assessment components:

The final exam contributes 60 marks and lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes. Questions are based on all aspects of the course:
- Section 1 is based on the physical environments topics (Atmosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere and Hydrosphere).
- Section 2 is based on the human environments topics (Urban Landscapes, Rural Landscapes, Population and Development).
- Section 3 is based on the global issues topics (Global Climate Change and Development and Health).
- Section 4 is based on the application of Geographical skills using an OS map extract (and other data).
The Geography Assignment contributes 30 marks and lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. It is based on research the pupils have carried out (either on the fieldtrips or using secondary sources).

This provides 90 marks in total (externally marked by SQA).

Advanced Higher Geography

The Advanced Higher Geography course award is based on three assessment components:

The final exam contributes 33% (50 marks) and lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Questions are based on all aspects of the course:
- Map Interpretation Skills are assessed using a 1:25,000 scale OS map and other supplementary items (20 marks).
- Gathering and Processing Techniques are assessed to test pupils knowledge and understanding of these techniques (10 marks).
- Geographical Data Handling is assessed to test pupils knowledge and understanding of statistical techniques as applied to a Geographical context (20 marks).
The Geographical Study contributes 40% (60 marks) and is a project that has a 3000-word limit. It is based on research the pupil has carried out on a Geographical topic of their choice (with fieldwork and / or secondary sources of research).
The Geographical Issue contributes 27% (40 marks) and is an essay that has a 1800-word limit. It is based on a Geographical Issue chosen by the pupil and involves the critical evaluation of different viewpoints relating to the issue (informed by extensive background reading).

This provides 150 marks in total (externally marked by SQA)

Family Learning

Top tips for National 5

Top tips for Higher

Top tips for Advanced Higher

Useful Geography Links

BBC Bite size Higher Geography:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zmhs34j

BBC Bite-size National 5 Geography:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/znbw2hv

BBC Bite-size National 4 Geography:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zfrqxnb

SQA Past Papers and Marking Instructions:

https://www.sqa.org.uk/pastpapers/findpastpaper.htm?subject=Geography&level

‘Time for Geography’ (free registration – good video clips explaining different parts of Geography):

https://timeforgeography.co.uk/

Internet Geography:

http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/index.html

Cool Geography:

http://www.coolgeography.co.uk

‘Geography 4 Kids’:

http://www.geography4kids.com/

‘Ducksters’:

http://www.ducksters.com/geography/

‘Geoguessr’:

https://geoguessr.com/

‘National Geographic’:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/

65 BBC Teach Clips for various Geography topics:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcvEcrsF_9zIYkvR_YiTlQ2DkYa8-WdkX

Take a Seat Road Trip Geography

https://www.shearcomfort.com/take-seat-road-trip-geography.asp

Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies

The purpose of the RMPS Course is to develop your knowledge and understanding of religious, moral and philosophical issues that affect the world today. You will have opportunities to reflect on these and on your own beliefs.

You will develop skills which are transferable to other areas of study and which you will use in everyday life, including investigating and explaining religious, moral and philosophical questions and responses, making comparisons and the ability to express and justify reasoned views.

In the world of work, employers look for someone with an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints, and an ability to come to clear, balanced decisions. These skills are all developed through studying RMPS. If you intend to work with people in a care setting, journalism, publishing, teaching, counselling, law or tourism, this course gives you plenty to think about and valuable expertise.

The National 5 Morality and Medicine unit also helps to develop an understanding of the current debates in medical ethics in today’s world, which will be useful background for careers in medicine or politics. All universities accept and welcome students with Higher RMPS onto a variety of courses. For example, Higher RMPS is one of the subjects which is accepted by the University of Strathclyde for entry onto their undergraduate Law, Psychology, Philosophy Politics and Economics and Primary Education degrees.

In order to prepare you for university, work and everyday life, we want to open your minds to the huge variety of beliefs in the world and challenge you to consider the most pressing moral and philosophical issues of the modern day.

The RMPS courses are taught by four wise gurus – Mr Morrison, Mrs Fitzsimmons, Ms Maguire and Mrs Couper.

In Senior School you can study:

National 4-5:

Unit 1: Buddhism

Unit 2: Morality and Medicine

Unit 3: Origins

Higher:

Unit 1: Christianity

Unit 2: Morality and Conflict

Unit 3: Origins

Advanced Higher

Unit 1: Philosophy of Religion

Unit 2: Medical Ethics

Wider Achievement opportunities

Philosophy Café:

Philosophy Café meets once a week in the RMPS department where pupils are invited to bring their lunch and an enquiring mind to discuss some of the ‘big questions’ in life and beyond. Pupils can enjoy a hot beverage and some biscuits while they contribute their ideas, or just listen to others. This group has evolved over the years and is now completely pupil lead.

John Stuart Mill Cup:

Annually, the RMPS department takes part in the John Stuart Mill Cup Philosophy debate competition at St Andrews University. This is an opportunity for pupils to engage with some of the most topical and controversial issues in global affairs. Pupils demonstrate their knowledge and skills through deepening philosophical conversation, and presenting their well-reasoned opinion.

The Hermitage Academy ‘Philos-o-raptors’ won the 2019 competition, gaining 11 out of 12 judge votes.

This is a fantastic example of how wider achievement can lead to success and build confidence through consolidating skills developed in the RMPS classroom.

See below for some pictures from last year.

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