The Modern Studies course in S3 encompasses three topical units: the USA, conflict and crime and law. In S3 students will begin to develop national skills such as making conclusions and making informed decisions.  

In the USA topic the students will learn about the political system, gun control, the insurrection and migration. 

In the conflict topic the students will be learning about recent global conflicts.

Finally, we will begin the National topic 'Crime and Law' where the students will learn about the nature, causes and consequences of crime.

In National 3 and 4 Modern Studies, students will be learning about crime and law in society, democracy in the UK and terrorism as an international issue.

National students will also begin to develop skills in making conclusions, making informed decisions and identifying bias and exaggeration. 

In National 5 Modern Studies, students will be study three main units: crime and law in society, democracy in the UK and terrorism. The units will consist of the following:

Crime and Law 

• Nature and Extent of Crime

• Causes of Crime

• Consequences of Crime

• Criminal Justice System

• Responses to Crime

Democracy in the UK

• Power and decision making

• Participation

• Influence

• Representation

• Voting Systems

Terrorism

• Nature and causes 

• Consequences of terrorism

• Responses to terrorism

• Evaluation of the responses to terrorism

Assignment

Students will complete a research project and present their findings in essay format.

In Higher Modern Studies, students will study: 

• Democracy in Scotland and the UK 

• Social Inequality

• World Powers: USA

Assessment: 

Assignment: 30 marks (27%)

Exam: 80 marks (73%)

Course Overview: 

Law and Order and Research Methods 

Students use a comparative approach to analyse and evaluate similarities and differences between the UK (including Scotland) and other international countries in relation to complex law and order issues. Students also study social science research methods and issues. Relevant case studies and examples are used from contemporary contexts, academic contexts, and students' own use of social science research methods.

Understanding Criminal Behaviour 

• definitions, measurements and perceptions of crime  

• contemporary relevance of theories of criminal behaviour including physiological, psychological and sociological theories  

• social and economic impact of criminal behaviour on victims, perpetrators, families and wider society 

Responses by Society to Crime

• contemporary relevance of theories of punishment, including deterrence, rehabilitation, incapacitation, retributivism and denunciation  

• preventative responses to crime, including policing strategies, multi-agency approaches and early interventions  

• criminal justice responses to crime, including custodial and non-custodial sentences 

Assessment:

Dissertation: 50 marks (36%)

Exam: 90 marks (64%)

How to support your learner in Advanced Higher Modern Studies: 

• Discuss your learner's dissertation topic at home with them. If you have contacts in the police/prison service or the legal sector, these may be useful for your learner to get in touch with as part of their primary research for their dissertation.