Balwearie High School

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Modern Studies

Modern studies aims to develop learners' knowledge and understanding of contemporary political and social issues in local, Scottish, United Kingdom and international contexts. Due to the nature of Modern Studies, courses will reflect current and recent events within the context of the topics studied.

At Balwearie High School we offer Modern Studies in the Broad General Education (S1 -3) and in the Senior Phase (S5 -6), offering National 4/5, Higher and Advanced Higher. The department has recently introduced Higher Politics as an option for S5 and S6 learners. 

Modern Studies develops many important, and transferable, skills (e.g. making a decision based on facts, drawing conclusions, detecting exaggeration and selectivity, critically evaluating information) as well as enhancing literacy and numeracy skills.  Learners will also develop their collaboration skills as they will participate in group work and class discussion on a regular basis. They will also develop as confident individuals by regularly teaching their peers. 

Together, the knowledge learners acquire and the skills they develop will allow them to become a more informed individual, able to participate more effectively in society in a more tolerant and responsible manner.

Modern Studies is a useful subject for many careers including journalism, the legal profession, police, teaching, the civil service, social work and many more.

 

Staff Members:

Mr J Airlie - PTC Social Subjects

Miss K McFarlane - PT Social Subjects & Global Citizenship

Mr J O'Donnell

Mr P Clark

Mrs K McLean

Ms E Sinclair

 

Courses:

S1:

  • China Social Subjects Thematic
  • Dissecting Democracy

S2:

  • Human Rights
  • Africa Social Subjects Thematic

S3:

  • Terrorism
  • Development in Africa
  • Democracy in Action
  • Refugees

S4 - National 4/5 Modern Studies:

  • Political Issues: Democracy in the UK
  • Social Issues: Crime and the Law
  • International Issues: World Powers - The USA

S5/6 - National 5 Modern Studies:

  • Political Issues: Democracy in Scotland
  • Social Issues: Social Inequality
  • International Issues: World Powers - The USA

Higher Modern Studies:

  • Political Issues: Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom
  • Social Issues: Social Inequality
  • International Issues: World Powers - The USA

Advanced Higher Modern Studies:

  • Law and order and research methods
    • Understanding criminal behaviour
    • Responses by society to crime
    • Social science research methods and issues

Higher Politics:

  • Political Theory
  • Political Systems
  • Political Parties and Elections