National 4/5 Modern Studies

Modern Studies will help you to develop a variety of skills, showing you how to critically evaluate sources of evidence (including those featured on social media!) in order to reach conclusions. You will also learn how to justify points of view using a wide range of evidence to support your decisions. At the end of this course you will be confident in discussing current political issues and have a deeper understanding of the importance of participating politically in society and how to go about this.

These skills will be useful in many careers such as journalism, law, solicitor, media, civil service, police force, accountancy, teacher and many more, making a Modern Studies qualification very valuable.

The National Modern Studies course helps pupils to understand the contemporary political and social issues in Scottish, British and international contexts and their place within these. Pupils develop the necessary skills to interpret and participate in the social and political processes they will encounter during their lives. They have the opportunity to develop important attitudes such as respect for the values, beliefs and cultures of others; openness to new thinking and ideas; and a sense of responsibility and global citizenship.

Pupils will study three units:

1. Democracy in the UK

This unit requires pupils to develop knowledge and understanding of the UK’s political system, including the place of Scotland with this. They will find out about the work of Parliament and how MPs represent us as well as different voting systems. They will also learn about different methods of participation in the political system as well as the influence of the media and develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities in our democratic society.

2. Crime and the Law

In this unit, pupils will focus on the nature, extent and causes of crime. They will also learn about the impact crime has on individuals and society as a whole. We will also study the role individuals, the police, the legal system and the state play in tackling crime.

3. World Issue: Terrorism

Pupils will learn about the nature and causes of terrorism as well as the various consequences on individuals, countries and the wider word. They will also study different ways terrorism can be resolved and an evaluation of the success of international organisations achieving this.

National 5

The exam will assess knowledge and skills and is worth 80% of the total mark for this course. Pupils will answer questions from all three units in this exam within 2hours 20 minutes. In addition, pupils must research a contemporary social or political topic and complete a piece of coursework on this. This Assignment will be written up in exam conditions in one hour and will be worth 20% of the overall mark.

National 4

Three unit assessments must be completed at N4 level together with an Added Value investigation in order to achieve this award. The Added Value topic is chosen by the candidate and completed within class time. Pupils will also have the option to attempt National 5 unit assessments to progress as far as they can in this subject.

National 3

Pupils must complete three unit assessments at this level in order to achieve a N3 course award.