What is Modern Studies?

Modern Studies is a subject unique to the Scottish educational curriculum. It is part of the Social Studies faculty which consists of Geography, History and Religious and Moral education. Modern Studies is the study of people and their interactions in society. There is a focus to develop a pupil’s understanding of the social, political and international contexts of Scotland, the UK and further afield in a more global context. Pupils who study Modern Studies learn to develop skills of communication, questioning and making reasoned and justified conclusions after they have accessed and analysed a range of information.

In S1 at Viewforth, pupils experience Social Subjects in the form of an integrated course. Meaning they are taught an introduction to all three Social Subjects; History, Geography and Modern Studies by one teacher. The main focus of the S1 course is to make sure pupils are confident in the basic skills of each of the three subjects. For History that is: to be able to identify primary and secondary sources, organise events into chronological order and identify the usefulness of different sources of information. In Geography: pupils learn about the three different types of Geography; Human, Physical and Environmental. They are introduced to basic map skills including symbols and 4 figure grid references. Lastly the Modern Studies component gets pupils to consider a key skill of considering information and making a decision. Pupils develop these skills whilst learning about two separate projects; Viewforth High School and Edinburgh.

S2 (Modern Studies) – Pupils will visit the Modern Studies department three times as part of a rota system with the other two Social Subjects, History and Geography. Pupils will continue to build on their skills acquired from S1 but they will also learn new skills such as; reaching and justifying conclusions, identifying selectivity as well as bias and exaggeration. In Modern Studies pupils will study three units;

Rota 1 – Introduction to Democracy. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe the main features of a democracy and a dictatorship.
  2. Explain the ways we can participate in democracy.
  3. Explain how rights are not guaranteed in a dictatorship.
  4. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  5. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  6. Learn to be able to detect bias and exaggeration in sources.

Rota 2 – Rich world, Poor world divide. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe what is meant by the developed and developing world.
  2. Explain the problems faced by developing countries.
  3. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  4. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.

Rota 3 – Prejudice and Discrimination. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe what is meant by the terms prejudice and discrimination.
  2. Describe experiences of those likely to suffer from prejudice and discrimination.
  3. Explain the consequences of discrimination.
  4. Explain the approaches of organisations and the government to tackle prejudice and discrimination.
  5. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  6. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  7. Learn to make a recommendation about how to tackle a problem associated with discrimination.

S3( Modern Studies) – Pupils can opt to pick Modern Studies during their S3 course choice meetings. Modern Studies is offered as a core or enrichment subject. The content taught in both units is discreet but often can be easily linked.

If pupils pick Modern Studies in S3 as a core subject they can expect to study the following units;

Unit 1 – What is conflict and why is it a problem? Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe what is meant by the term conflict.
  2. Describe experiences of those who live in areas of conflict.
  3. Explain the consequences of international conflict.
  4. Explain the approaches of organisations and the government to tackle International conflict.
  5. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  6. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  7. Learn to make a recommendation about how to tackle a problem associated with discrimination.

Unit 2 – Inequality in the World and the UK. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe what life is like for people living in the developing world. Key focus: Poverty.
  2. Explain the programmes in place to improve the conditions of those living in developing countries.
  3. Describe what life is like for sufferers of poverty in the UK
  4. Explain the programmes and policies in place in the UK to help those at risk of poverty.
  5. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  6. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  7. Learn to be able to detect bias and exaggeration in sources.

Unit 3 – The influence of the Media. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe what different types of media are used today and how the media has evolved.
  2. Explain why the media is an important source of information.
  3. Explain the impact of the media on a political party’s success during an election.
  4. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  5. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  6. Learn to be able to detect bias and exaggeration in sources.

If pupils opt for the enrichment periods of Modern Studies they can expect to study the following units;

Unit 1 – Childrens right’s: A case study of child soldiers. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe what human rights are with a particular focus on Children’s rights
  2. Explain why we have children’s rights.
  3. Describe what life is like for sufferers of rights abuses.
  4. Explain the programmes and policies in place to help those who have experienced rights abuses.
  5. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  6. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  7. Learn to be able to detect bias and exaggeration in sources.

Unit 2 – International Terrorism. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe what is meant by terrorism. Looking at specific case studies from recent years.
  2. Explain why terrorism is an issue.
  3. Describe the impact of terrorism on citizens of the UK and wider world.
  4. Explain and comment on the success of responses to terrorism from the UK and International community.
  5. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  6. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  7. Learn to be able to detect bias and exaggeration in sources.

Unit 3 – Introduction to the USA. Pupils should be able to:

  1. Describe political, social and economic issues related to the USA.
  2. Explain political, social and economic issues related to the USA.
  3. Learn to use numerical and graphical sources to make conclusions.
  4. Learn to use sources to make and justify decisions.
  5. Learn to be able to detect bias and exaggeration in sources.
Modern Studies - Further Info

In all of the years and courses pupils can expect to engage in the following activities;

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Working with a partner and in a group
  • Investigating
  • Recording
  • Arguing
  • Presenting
  • Using IT
  • Pupils literacy and numeracy skills will be enhanced extensively as well as their Health and Well being.

What exams are offered in Modern Studies?

Pupils who choose to study Modern Studies beyond S3 can sit exams at both National 5 and Higher level.