Modern Studies
Modern studies is a subject unique to the Scottish secondary school curriculum. The focus of Modern Studies is to develop learners' knowledge and understanding of contemporary political and social issues in local, Scottish, United Kingdom and international contexts.[1]
Modern Studies is offered both at National Qualification level and also in the Broad General Education stage of Scottish education. Pupils in primary school and up to S3 in secondary school have the opportunity to study Modern Studies concepts through the 'People in Society, Economy and Business' area of the broader Social Studies Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes.[2] In the Senior Phase, Modern Studies is offered as a discrete subject.[1]
Concepts
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 prime minister.
- Ideology: Ideas and beliefs of a political or economic system, e.g. the United States 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.
- Global Citizenship: Placing students in the world and examining their role within local and global society.
- Sustainability: Understanding how institutions work and what students can do to become more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable citizens.
The Primary Curriculum
All schools in Scotland follow the 3-18 Curriculum for Excellence. Modern Studies is not offered as a discrete subject at primary school level, rather, it is delivered within the integrated Social Studies curricular area (which also encompasses history and geography themes).[2] In the early, first and second stages (P1-P7); pupils are introduced to social studies key themes and are encouraged to develop analytical and evaluative skills.
In S1, S2 & S3
Each school has the freedom to develop a course to suit the needs and interests of both pupils and teachers within the parameters of the Social Studies Experiences and Outcomes.
National Qualifications
Modern Studies is offered at National 3, 4 & 5 levels and at Higher and Advanced Higher.[1] There is scope for a great deal of personalisation and choice across the NQ levels within the Course Assessment Specification. There are three areas of study and within these areas, teachers have the opportunity to teach a number of combinations of topic; these are:
- Democracy in Scotland and the UK:
- Democracy in Scotland OR
- Democracy in the United Kingdom
- Social Issues
- Social Inequality OR
- Crime and the Law
- International Issues
- World Power OR
- World Issue
At Advanced Higher level, there is a greater emphasis on depth of knowledge and so, one area of study is chosen from: Political Issues OR Law and Order OR Social Inequality.[3]
At each level above National 3, there also exists the requirement for pupils to complete an independent research project under the supervision of their teacher. This project makes up some of the final overall award.
University
Modern Studies does not exist as a separate subject at University level though it is a sound basis for further study of a range of subjects from which Modern Studies is composed, such as Crime and the Law, Politics, International Relations, Sociology, Economics, Social Policy and Public Policy.
