Why study Modern Studies?
Learning Modern Studies gives you a greater understanding of the contemporary world and your place in it.
You will learn contemporary political and social issues in local, Scottish, United Kingdom and international contexts, and, in these contexts, develop an awareness of the social and political issues you will meet in your life. You will also develop investigating, evaluating and analysing skills in order to understand and explain political, social and international issues.
The skills you learn in Modern Studies are valuable in many career areas, including public administration, business management, law, teaching and journalism.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Administration and Management
Arts, Social Sciences and Languages
Communications and Media
Information, Culture and Heritage
Law
Social, Caring and Advisory Services
Uniformed and Security Services
What do I need to get in?
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college but you would normally have achieved:
What will I study?
Modern Studies helps to develop your knowledge and understanding of social, political and economic issues. You will learn about the political and social issues that affect us in Scotland, the UK and internationally. You will also find out some of the ways societies deal with conflict, and learn about human rights and responsibilities.
The course has three compulsory units, plus an added value unit.
Modern Studies: Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- use sources of information to detect and explain examples of bias and exaggeration
- increase your knowledge of democracy in Scotland and the UK
- develop your knowledge and understanding of the UK political structure, including Scotland’s place within this and the debates around this arrangement
- you can then choose either the Scottish political system or the UK political system and develop your knowledge and understanding of political life in your chosen context
- learn about the ways in which society is informed about the political system, and how people are able to participate in and influence the political system
- learn about your rights and responsibilities in contemporary democratic political society.
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- learn how to use sources of information to make and justify decisions
- develop your knowledge and understanding of social issues in the UK, choosing to focus on either social inequality or crime and the law
- if you choose to focus on social inequality, you will examine a specific aspect of contemporary social inequality in the UK, looking at the causes and consequences of social inequality and attempts by government, organisations and individuals to tackle it
- if you focus on crime and the law, you will examine the causes of crime; how crime affects individuals and society; and the role of individuals, the police, the legal system and the state in tackling crime.
Modern Studies: International Issues (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- learn how to use sources of information to draw and support conclusions
- develop your knowledge and understanding of international issues, choosing to focus on either a socio-economic and political study of a significant world power or a contemporary world issue
- if you choose to study a world power, you will focus on contemporary socio-economic issues and study its political system
- if you choose to study a world issue, you will focus on a significant contemporary issue, its causes and consequences, and attempts at resolution.
Added Value Unit: Modern Studies Assignment (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- choose an issue drawn from modern studies contexts, research it and present your findings.
How will I be assessed?
Your work will be assessed by your teacher on an ongoing basis throughout the course. Items of work might include:
- written work - research assignments, reports and case studies
- projects
- class-based exams.
You must pass all the units including the practical unit to gain the course qualification.
What can I go on to next?
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Nationals in a Nutshell - Modern Studies (National 4)
