Higher Modern Studies

Welcome to the Higher Modern Studies Course!


In Modern Studies we study a range of different political, social and economic issues from a local, national and international level. This means that we look at issues ranging from everything on how our UK Government is handling the COVID-19 crisis and other political issues, to social inequality across the country, to the political and international influence of the USA, to how people protest when they want change (and everything in between!).


Units:

At Higher level, we study the following units. The first three units are typically assessed through a final SQA exam and are together worth 73% of the pupil's final grade.

  1. Politics: Democracy in Scotland and the UK

  2. Social Issues: Social Inequality

  3. World Powers: The USA

  4. The Assignment (27% of final grade)


Unit 1: Democracy in Scotland and the UK

Topics covered in this unit:

  • Possible alternatives for the governance of Scotland

  • Implications of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU)

  • Effectiveness of parliamentary representatives in holding government to account

  • Strengths and weaknesses of different electoral systems used in elections within the UK

  • Factors which influence voting behaviour including class, age and media

  • Ways in which citizens can influence government decision-making, including pressure groups

Unit 2: Social Issues - Social Inequality

Topics covered in this unit:

  • Reasons why income and wealth inequality exists

  • Reasons why health inequalities exist

  • Effect of inequality on a group or groups in society

  • Individualist and collectivist debate

  • Effectiveness of measures taken to tackle inequalities, including government measures

Unit 3: World Powers - USA

Topics covered in this unit:

  • Extent to which the political system allows democratic participation

  • Political institutions and their ability to dominate government decision-making

  • Socio-economic inequality and its impact on a specific group in society

  • Effectiveness of government responses to socio-economic inequality

  • The USA's international influence

Unit 4: The Assignment

In this unit, pupils independently research an economic, political or social issue that interests them. The idea is that throughout the year, they will have had some idea of which area interests them the most, and can thus pick a topic or issue to research that they feel passionate about! In this unit, pupils practice and develop skills such as researching, explaining, analysing, evaluating, ICT skills, gathering data, comparing sources/arguments and making conclusions. The assignment is worth 27% of their final grade.

Course Assessment

Usually, Higher pupils would sit 2 question papers (worth 73% of final grade) and an Assignment (worth 27% of final grade). This year (2021) exams have been cancelled, so we are focused on gathering evidence of all pupil work through continuous summative assessments. Depending on the circumstances in the next academic year (2021-2022), we will assess accordingly. Nevertheless, regardless of what happens, we prepare the pupils for any type of assessment throughout the year through continuous formative (e.g. quizzes, peer assessment, active learning) and summative (e.g. essays and skills and a prelim) assessments with detailed feedback, support and help to improve and progress throughout the course.

Depending on how the pupil does in their various assessments/exam, they can progress onto Advanced Higher Modern Studies.

Career Pathways and Skills

Modern Studies is a very versatile subject which helps pupils develop knowledge and understanding of the processes that determine political, social and economic life, both from national and international perspectives. It helps pupils develop important skills that are required in many workplaces, such as being able to critically evaluate information, analyse complex sources and communicating important issues through writing and discussion. Together, the knowledge pupils acquire and the skills they develop will allow them to become a more informed individual and prepare them to participate more effectively in society in a more tolerant and responsible manner. Below are just some of the career paths pupils can take after studying Modern Studies.

  • advocate

  • civil servant

  • charity and community work

  • editor

  • government work

  • journalist

  • judge or sheriff

  • librarian

  • local government

  • member of parliament

  • reporter

  • researcher

  • police officer

  • parliament staff

  • social work

  • teaching - primary and secondary

  • trade unions

Thank you for reading our page, we hope to see you in the next academic session!