Welcome to National 4 Modern Studies

National 4 Modern Studies Pupils will have 4 periods (two doubles) each week Pupils will study 3 different topics Pupils will learn to answer knowledge and understanding (KU) questions & skills questions Pupils will complete their own added value unit

Course Details Pupils will study 3 different topics Political Issue International Issue Social Issue Democracy in Scotland The USA Crime and the Law June - July (5 weeks) + August - September September - December January - March

In order to pass National 4 Modern Studies pupils must complete the two areas of assessment: Unit Outcomes Added Value Unit &

How pupils will be assessed- Unit Outcomes You need to pass ‘unit outcomes’ Each topic has 2 outcomes that each pupil must pass Pupils will need to produce evidence that they have achieved the outcome Examples: written questions, homework, a script from a presentation.

How pupils will be assessed – The Added Value Unit As part of the National 4 Modern Studies Course, pupils will complete a personal research project, known as the Added Value Unit. Pupils must: Choose, a Modern Studies topic or issue to research Collect relevant evidence from at least two sources of different types Organise and use the information you have collected Show your knowledge and understanding to describe and briefly explain some key features of the topic or issue Apply your Modern Studies skills Present your findings about the Modern Studies topic or issue  

How pupils will be assessed – The Added Value Unit The Added Value Unit has two stages: A researching stage which will include choosing a topic or issue, collecting evidence, organising and preparing the findings The final stage of this assessment is the presentation of the findings Pupils may present their findings as a report, presentation or information poster. The Added Value Unit will be assessed by the teacher. In order to pass pupils will have to show that they have met the Outcomes and Standards. Pupils need to pass this assessment in order to successfully pass National 4 Modern Studies.

Democracy in Scotland Representation – How people are represented in Scotland. Participation – Who participates in politics in Scotland? Election Campaign – The process of a campaign and how people vote. Influence – Pressure Groups: How do they influence decision makers?

The USA Introduction to the USA: USA today. USA Issues: American Dream, Immigration. Political Issues: System of Government, President, Political Participation, Voting. Social and Economic Issues: Education, Housing, Health, Crime, Family Structures and Poverty. Government Responses: What is the government doing to help?

Crime and the Law Introduction: What is crime/who decides what makes someone a criminal. Different types of crime. What are the causes/impact of crime? Efforts to tackle crime (role of the police) Laws regarding alcohol, drugs and road traffic offences The criminal justice system in Scotland (High Court, Sheriff Court, District Court) Scottish juvenile system: Children’s Hearings.