Modern Studies

Staff:

  • Miss K Bulloch
  • Mr A Miller

Courses:

  • S1 - Rights and Responsibilities, People Power, Mock Election
  • S2 - Power - China and The USA
  • S3 - Need and Aid, Health in Scotland

S3 Curriculum

Term 1 (August - October)

International Issues: The People’s Republic of China

In this unit pupils will learn about China’s political system, social and economic inequalities which exist in the country, human rights issues and assess the extent to which China has influence over other countries. Throughout this unit pupils will developing their skills in completing research alongside completing tasks which will prepare them for National Modern Studies next year.

Term 2 (October – January)

Social Inequalities in the UK

In this unit pupils will learn about the causes and effects of social and economic inequalities in the UK today and will be developing their analytical skills to discuss the effectiveness of the Government in tackling these inequalities.

Term 3 and 4 (February – June)

International Issues: The United States of America

In this unit pupils will learn about the USA’s political system, social and economic inequalities which exist in the country and how the Government has responded to these and the different ways in which the USA has influence over other countries. They will be using the skills they have developed in S3 to help support them in answering both knowledge and skills based questions.

  • National 4/5
    • Democracy in Scotland
    • Crime and Law
    • World Power -The USA
    • Added Value/Assignment
  • Higher
    • Democracy in Scotland and the UK
    • Social Inequalities in the UK 
    • The People's Republic of China
    • Assignment
  • Advanced Higher
    • Law and Order and Research Methods
    • Dissertation

About Modern Studies:

Modern Studies is a subject unique to the Scottish secondary school curriculum, that is concerned with the study of local, national and international issues from a social, political and economic perspective.

Modern Studies is concerned with the study of seven key concepts;  

Representation
Act, speak, or make decisions on behalf of other people, e.g. an MP speaking for his/her constituents in the Parliament.  

Rights and Responsibilities
Freedoms we are entitled to and duties or obligations we have as a result, e.g. the right to vote and the responsibility to use the vote wisely.

Participation
Joining in, taking part, becoming involved, e.g. standing as a candidate in an election.

Ideology
Ideas and beliefs of a political or economic system, e.g. the USA is a capitalist democracy.

Equality
Having the same level of wealth, status or well-being; usually looked at in terms of inequality, e.g. some elderly people have a lower living standard than others.  

Need
What individuals, groups or countries must have to survive and develop; usually looked at in terms of whether needs are being met, e.g. some developing countries find it difficult to meet their basic needs.

Power
Ability individuals, groups or countries have to act or influence how others act.