BGE
S1
As part of the Broad General Education, students will complete three units:
• Representing the People
Students will learn about what it means to live in a democratic country and the role of elected representatives. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in class debates and create resources for an election campaign.
• Comparing Societies: Scotland and China
Students will compare the rights and responsibilities of citizens living in Scotland with citizens living in China.
• Multicultural Scotland
This unit examines how diverse the population of Scotland has become and allows pupils to explore issues relating to Scottish identity and how culture and identity are connected.
S2
As part of the Broad General Education, students will complete three units:
• Development Gap
Students compare levels of development between northern and southern hemisphere countries and how this has an impact on people’s living standards. Students will also focus on the work of the United Nations, the Sustainable Development Goals and how campaigns can improve living standards in less economically-developed countries.
• Role of the Media
This unit focuses on both traditional and social media. Students will also develop key skills in how to process information and how to identify information that is either exaggerated or biased.
• Terrorism
Students will develop a better understanding of the causes of terrorism and will carry out a research project that examines the background and objectives of a terrorist group. Students will also learn about how the UK tries to prevent terrorists carrying out attacks.
S3
As part of the Broad General Education, students will complete four units. These units will also prepare students for the demands of national qualifications, as well as helping them to develop the processes and techniques required to tackle skills-based questions:
• Crime and the Law
Students will learn about the causes of crime, the impact of crime on victims, the perpetrators and their communities. Students will also examine the work of the police and the courts, and assess how effective prison and other non-custodial sentences are at reducing crime in society.
• Global Security – Terrorism
Students study the causes of terrorism, its impact on individuals and society, and how both the UK and other international organisations try to prevent acts of terrorism.
• Democracy in Scotland
Students develop a clearer understanding of the key features of a democratic society and how, as citizens, they can both participate in and influence decisions that affect them. Students will also learn about the role of MSPs in the Scottish parliament and critically assess the impact of the media on elections.
• Pressure Groups
Students learn about how groups in society try to influence decision-making, the methods these groups use and the reasons why some pressure groups are more successful than others.
National 5
Aims of the course
The course uses a multidisciplinary approach to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of contemporary, political and social issues in local, Scottish, United Kingdom (UK) and international contexts. Students develop the skills to interpret and participate in the social and political processes they encounter in their lives.
Course Details
The course consists of three units:
• Democracy in Scotland
Students develop knowledge and understanding of Scotland’s political system. They also learn about the role of the media and how citizens can not only participate in but also influence the political system. Students will also develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities in a contemporary, democratic society.
• Crime and the Law
Students focus on the nature, extent and causes of crime, the impact of crime on individuals and society, and the role of individuals, the police, the legal system and the state in tackling crime.
• World Power: USA
Students study the political system of the USA, its international relations and contemporary issues.
Assessment
The course assessment has two components:
• Component 1: Question Paper
Marks – 80
Duration – 2 hours 20 minutes
• Component 2: Assignment
Marks – 20
Duration – 1 hour
National 4
Students looking to secure certification at National 4 level will complete the same units as National 5 candidates, and an Added Value Unit instead of an assignment. They will not have to sit the final exam.
Higher
Aims of the course
The course uses a multidisciplinary approach to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of contemporary, political and social issues in local, Scottish, United Kingdom (UK) and international contexts. Students develop the skills to interpret and participate in the social and political processes they encounter in their lives.
Course Details
The course consists of three units:
• Unit 1: Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom
Students study aspects of the democratic political system in the UK, including the place of Scotland within this system. Relevant case studies are used from either Scotland or the UK, or both Scotland and the UK.
• Unit 2: Social issues in the United Kingdom
Students focus on the impact of social inequality in the UK, examine the reasons for social inequality and the effectiveness of measures taken by both the UK and the Scottish government to tackle inequalities.
• Unit 3: World Power
Students study aspects of the political system of the USA, examine contemporary issues and evaluate the response of the American government to inequality.
Assessment
The course assessment has three components:
• Component 1: Question Paper 1
Marks – 52
Duration – 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Component 2: Question Paper 2
Marks – 28
Duration – 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Component 3: Assignment
Marks – 30
Duration – 1 hour and 30 minutes