S2-S3 Social Subjects

Course Outline:  

The course focuses on the sustainability of human activity. Geography is both a science and a social science and the course aims to provide an understanding of how human activities interact with our planet’s physical and natural systems. The key topics look at some of today’s most pressing environmental and geographical challenges from a local, national and global perspective.

Natural Regions

Pupils study the impact of human activity on wildlife habitats and the natural environment.

·       Endangered species

·       Destruction of tropical rainforests

Climate Change

Perhaps the most pressing of all environmental issues. Pupils will study the science and social science of:

·       The causes of global climate change

·       The impacts on people and the environment

·       Solutions at a local, national and international level

Renewable energy and sustainability

Meeting our future energy needs is one of the greatest challenges facing our society. Pupils study:

·       The earth and atmospheric science of renewable energy

·       Where do we find renewable energy

·       Scotland’s future energy options

Future cities and sustainable transport

Over two thirds of the world’s population live in cities and this number will continue to increase. Pupils will investigate:

·       Problems with transport in towns and cities

·       Future transport systems

Food, farming and sustainability

Much of our food is sourced globally and food supply chains are getting ever more complex. Pupils look at:

·       How our food is produced - from “farm to fork”

·       The environmental impacts of our food choices

·       Sustainable food choices

Course Outline:

In History pupils will study three topics. By studying these topics pupils will learn about events in the past in Europe and the world.

The Holocaust

We will find out about prejudice and the extreme dangers which can result by studying a period in history known as the Holocaust. This will include learning about:

•  Anti-Semitism

• Life for Jews in Nazi Germany.

• Anne Frank

• The Death Camps.

The Civil Rights Movement

We will study the impact of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s by looking at:

• The causes and events of the American Civil War

• The growth of the Civil Rights Movement

• Civil Rights Protests

• Key Civil Rights Leaders

Causes of the First World War

We will study the countdown to the First World War in 1914 by looking at:

• The Great Powers of Europe

• The Arms Race

• The Alliance System

• The Balkans and the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Pupils will utilise a variety of resources to enhance their learning experience as they study these diverse and interesting topics.

Course Outline:

Three of important current and fascinating issues affecting the lives of people in Scotland and the world.

How is Scotland Governed?

We will study how Nicola Sturgeon and her Government affect your lives.

We will look at such areas as:

• How does the Scottish Executive Work?

• What are their powers?

• How do we vote for these Scottish Politicians?

• The Scottish political media

• Scottish pressure groups

• Case study on a Scottish pressure group

China and us?

It is the 2nd largest economy in the world. Culturally, socially and politically how do we compare in Scotland?

We will look at such areas as:

• How do the people of China live and work?

• China’s recent political history.

• Chinese politics, including looking at their human rights record.

• Case Study: Compare the lifestyles between Scotland and China: living standards, education, housing, the media, family life and leisure.

The Media

• What is the media?

• Difference between Television, Newspapers, Social media etc.

• Detecting bias and what is fact and what is opinion.

• Looking at the political media.

• Advertising.

• Designing a newspaper front page.

We will use textbooks, PowerPoint presentations, websites, films, TV and many more resources to investigate these two important topics in modern life.