S2 Social Subjects: Reporting Window 2

S2 Social Subjects – Course overview

Through social studies, learners develop their understanding of the world by learning about other people and their values, in different times, places and circumstances; they also develop their understanding of their environment and how it has been shaped. Learner experiences will be broadened using Scottish, British, European and world contexts for learning, while maintaining a focus on the historical, social, geographic, economic, and political changes that have shaped Scotland and the world.

Our BGE Social Subjects courses have been designed to give pupils the opportunity to learn and experience a broad range of outcomes both within curricular areas and through interdisciplinary learning. The principles of breadth, challenge and application underpin course design and ensure pupils are motivated, stimulated and engaged in their learner journey.

All BGE courses contain a range of different resources and activities that are designed to stimulate and motivate pupils. Pupils are encouraged to work to the best of their abilities and staff will support pupil needs through differentiation and extension. Courses have been designed to challenge learners to push themselves and produce high quality work. There will also be opportunities for learners to express their views through discussion and debate.

S2 Geography – Wild Weather/ Tropical Storms & Cryosphere

The S2 Geography course has been designed to give the pupils the chance to discover what wild weather is focusing on tropical storms. How do they form, where do they occur, the impact on people and the landscape. Learners will also understand how to manage and adapt to weather challenges - prediction, planning and preparation. The second topic is cryosphere, what is it, where it’s located within the world with a focus on Antarctica. This enables pupils to understand the geographical importance of Antarctica. Furthermore, pupils will learn about how and why the British Antarctica Survey study glaciers and the impact of climate change in Antarctica. Through the study of Geography learners will gain a stronger understanding of global issues and the importance of sustainable lifestyles. Geography has strong links to science as learners gain a variety of problem solving and decision-making skills.

S2 Geography – key study areas

·   Wild weather- Tropical Storms (how they form, where, what is a storm surge?)

·   Case Studies (Hurricane Katrina & Typhoon Haiyan)

·   Impact on people and landscape

·   Cryosphere- what is it? where is it?

·   Antarctica- who owns it?

·   How animals adapt to survive?

·   What is a glacier?

·   How is climate change changing Antarctica?

·   Who works there and why?

S2 Modern Studies – UK politics/China

The S2 Modern Studies course has been designed to give pupils the chance to learn within curriculum areas and through interdisciplinary learning. The course aims to cover a range of modern political, social, and economic issues in the world today. Modern Studies also has the important role of giving learners a better understanding of the world and other societies. Through the study of UK/Scottish politics and different governments around the world like North Korea and China learners will gain a clearer understanding of different cultures, belief systems and governments. This course will also make comparisons between the UK/Scotland and other countries around the world.

S2 Modern Studies – key study areas

·   Work and role of UK and Scottish Parliaments

·   Why democracy is important

·   Life and politics in North Korea

·   Comparison between life in the UK and North Korea

·   How China is governed

·   Life in China

·   Human rights issues in China

S2 History – Holocaust

The S2 History course has been designed to give learners the chance to experience and learn about the Holocaust and why it is important to learn about this topic. Studying the Holocaust teaches learners the lessons we need to learn from this event and why showing respect and tolerance is important in society today. History is crucial as it teaches pupils about the importance of respect and remembering key individuals and events from the past. History also has the important role of teaching pupils life skills such as analysis, extended writing and listening to and respecting different views and opinions. Through the study of History learners will gain key skills such as source analysis and report writing.

S2 History – key study areas

·       Reasons for the Nazi rise to power in Germany

·       Understand the reasons why many Germans were anti-Semitic

·       To learn about how life for Jews changed in Germany

·       Life in Jewish Ghettos

·       Study of conditions in Nazi death camps

·       Study eyewitness accounts from the Holocaust

·       To learn about lessons from the Holocaust

The majority of work covered in S2 Social Subjects is based around CfE Level 3 outcomes. The majority of pupils at this stage of S2 are working at Third C or above. This does not mean that pupils performing below this level are not making progress - all pupils are making progress, but some require more support with CfE Level 3 content than others. Some S2 pupils may have also surpassed level 3 work and are currently working at level 4. 

 If your child has been allocated a level 4 working level this shows, they are working at a very high standard and producing work that is of S3 quality. Assessment scores have been exceptional and work/discussion in class has been of high quality.

 Working Level and Working Grade descriptions for S2 Social Subjects:

Third A: A pupil achieving this will be making excellent progress across all Social Subjects. They will be consistently demonstrating that they understand and can recall the content of the course and are able to apply that understanding to class work and assessments. They will also have performed exceptionally well in a range of assessments including written tests, reports, and presentations.

Third B: A pupil achieving this will be making good progress across all Social Subjects. They will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall much of the content of the course and are able to apply that understanding to class work and assessments.

They will also have performed well in a range of assessments including written tests, reports, and presentations.

Third C: A pupil achieving this will be making reasonable progress across all Social Subjects. They will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall some of the content of the course and may be able to apply some of that understanding towards class work and assessments. They will also have performed reasonably well in a range of assessments including written tests, reports, and presentations.

For pupils working at Third D, we would advise that they have a conversation with their class teacher or guidance teacher about the most appropriate Social Subjects course to study in S3 as it may be the case that some courses would prove particularly challenging.

Third D: A pupil achieving this will be making some progress across all Social Subjects. They will be demonstrating that they understand and can recall some of the content of the course but may find it challenging to apply this understanding to class work and assessments.  They may also have difficulty in completing a range of assessments including written tests, reports, and presentations.

For pupils who are working at Second Level our recommendation for S3 is to choose the People & Society course as their Social Subject option. 

Second A to D: A pupil achieving this will be making limited progress across all Social Subjects. They may be demonstrating that they understand and can recall small portions of the content of the course but will likely find applying this content to class work and assessments a great challenge. They will also, likely find it very challenging to complete a range of assessments including written tests, reports, and presentations.