Aims of the Modern Studies Department

In S1 Social Subjects we have an integrated course based around Rights. Firstly the pupils look at Exploring Scotland. This allows pupils to be able to identify what a map is and the features a good map needs to have. We also study four figure grid references and we can locate different symbols on a map. This allows pupils to understand the importance of map reading. Pupils will look at Human Rights and Responsibilities and compare and contrast life in Scotland to life of children in India. This is followed by looking at life in the Victorian era, the impact that had on families. Lastly pupils look at child soldiers and how child rights have been not been met in the 21st Century. By the end of S1 pupils will have learnt different skills such as analyzing and evaluating to understand which groups around the world have not got a good quality of life.

In S2 pupils will study China and Terrorism. Terrorism will look at the 9/11 attack to the recent ISIS attacks on the world. Pupils will evaluate the impact of these attacks around the world. The pupil’s will study China looking at Human Rights and understand the inequalities in China. Pupils will successfully continue to work on their evaluating and creating skills. The pupils will create a news report and an extended response on Human Rights.

In Modern Studies we look at two topics the USA and Crime in Scotland. This continuing to look at the socio-economic inequalities and comparing them to the UK. We also look at Crime and understand the reasons why people may turn to crime.

In S3, we also broaden our skills by reading and evaluating sources from Newspapers and drawing information from them to create an information display.

Scottish Studies

We offer a variety of different pathways to pupils such as the Scottish Studies award at National 4 and 5. The Scottish Studies Award provides opportunities for learners to develop their knowledge and understanding of Scotland — its people, languages (such as Scots and Gaelic), society, culture, natural environment and heritage — and to make connections across the curriculum. The four units which are covered are:

• Scotland in Focus

• Scots Language: History and Development

• Travel and Tourism

• Social Issues in Scotland