A basic guide to what you will study in S3/4

1. Welcome to National
4/5 Modern Studies!
Mrs Shields- Faculty of Social and Business Studies

2. The working world
Modern Studies will help you:
•Communicate - written & verbal
•Effectively use IT Skills (PowerPoint)
•Use research methods
•Evaluate sources of information & understand their limits
•Learn & think creatively
•Make informed decisions
•Understand the world around you - including employment
problems & the impact of new technology
•Understand key political, social & economic ideas

3. Modern Studies encourages you
to:
•Be an independent thinker
•Take responsibility for your learning
•Value the views/contributions of
others
•Be confident
•Work hard
•Be a good citizen

4. The Course
Units and Study Themes
Unit 3 International Issues
World Power: USA
Unit 2 Social Issues in the UK
Crime and the Law or Inequalities
Unit 1 Political Issues in the UK
Democracy in Scotland

5. Key knowledge and
understanding
• Develop knowledge and understanding of:
1. The main democratic processes, institutions and
organisations which make up political life in
Scotland and/or the UK.
2. A major social issue in Scotland and the UK
focusing on either social inequality or crime and
the law.
3. An international issue relating to a either a
significant world power or contemporary world
issue.

6. Key skills
• Using a range of sources of information to
detect and explain exaggeration and
selectivity in the use of facts.
• Giving detailed justifications for decisions
made by using a range of sources of
information.
• Giving detailed support for valid conclusions
drawn from a range of sources of information.

7. Modern Studies: Standards -
Equipment
- a ring binder & class jotter
- you must keep these in a good condition
- you will replace them if they get any graffiti on them
- you must bring a pen or pencil to every class
Homework
- you will be expected to keep up to date with news events & collect
news articles about certain topics
- you will be given exam style questions to complete
- you will have homework at least every 2-3 weeks
- you should still be watching the news & revising even when you
have not been given set tasks

8. Modern Studies: Standards -
Behaviour
- you are expected to listen to your teacher
- you should concentrate on you work
- you should never interrupt the learning of others
- you should always to do your best work

9. Assessments
Formal
End of unit assessments
Marking of homework
Marking of jotter work
Profiles
Informal
Group work
Presentations
Participation in class

10. Assessments
Formal
End of unit assessments
Marking of homework
Marking of jotter work
Profiles
Informal
Group work
Presentations
Participation in class