Scotland Β· SQASyllabus
Modern Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the Scotland Modern Studiessyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Assignment and Skills
Module overview β- How do you detect bias and exaggeration in sources?The skill of detecting bias, exaggeration and selective use of facts in written and statistical sources, and how to identify objective and subjective statements.10 min answer β
- How do you draw a supported conclusion from sources?The skill of drawing and supporting conclusions using two or more sources, synthesising evidence, and linking each conclusion clearly to the evidence that supports it.9 min answer β
- How do you judge whether a source is reliable?The source-handling skill of evaluating the reliability of sources, judging origin, authorship, purpose, date, sample size, publisher and corroboration to reach a supported overall judgement.10 min answer β
- How do you research and write the Modern Studies assignment?The added value assignment, including choosing an issue with alternative views, researching from a range of sources, evaluating source reliability, and structuring a balanced report with a supported conclusion.10 min answer β
Democracy in Scotland and the UK
Module overview β- How can citizens influence decisions between elections?The ways citizens participate in democracy beyond voting, including joining parties and pressure groups, the difference between insider and outsider groups, the methods pressure groups use, and the factors that make them effective.10 min answer β
- How well do different voting systems represent the people who vote?The voting systems used in Scotland and the UK, including First Past the Post and the Additional Member System, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they affect representation and government formation.10 min answer β
- What part does the media play in a democracy?The role of the traditional and new media in democracy, how the media informs and influences voters and politics, debates about bias and ownership, and the impact of social media on participation.9 min answer β
- How should Scotland be governed within or beyond the UK?The place of Scotland within the UK and alternatives for its governance, including the status quo, further devolution and independence, the 2014 referendum, the powers of the Scotland Act 2016, and the implications of leaving the EU.11 min answer β
- How does the Scottish Parliament make laws and hold the government to account?The structure of the Scottish Parliament, the role of MSPs and the First Minister, how Bills become law, and the committee system that scrutinises the Scottish Government.10 min answer β
- How is power shared between Westminster and the Scottish Parliament?The nature of the UK constitution, the sovereignty of the UK Parliament, the devolution settlement under the Scotland Acts, and the difference between reserved and devolved powers.10 min answer β
- Why do people vote the way they do, and how do campaigns affect them?The factors that influence voting behaviour, including social class, age, gender, geography, partisanship and the media, and how election campaigns and the conduct of campaigns shape how people vote.11 min answer β
International Issues
Module overview β- What causes a significant world issue and who does it affect?The nature, causes and effects of a significant world issue such as conflict, terrorism, poverty or disease, and the impact it has on individuals, countries and the wider world.9 min answer β
- What makes the USA a world power?The USA as a world power, including its political, economic, military and cultural influence, its place in international organisations, and its relationships with other countries.9 min answer β
- How effectively does the world respond to a significant world issue?The responses of individual countries and international organisations to a significant world issue, including the UN, NATO, the EU and NGOs, and an evaluation of how effective these responses are.10 min answer β
- How is political power organised in the USA?The political system of the USA, including the separation of powers between the President, Congress and the Supreme Court, federalism, checks and balances, and how citizens participate.10 min answer β
- What social and economic inequalities exist in the USA?The social and economic issues facing the USA, including inequality and poverty, differences between ethnic groups, health and education, and government responses to these issues.10 min answer β
Social Issues in the UK
Module overview β- Why do people commit crime?The nature and evidence of crime in the UK, the groups most affected as victims and offenders, and the main theories explaining the causes of crime including social, economic and individual factors.10 min answer β
- How effectively does society respond to crime?The ways society and government respond to crime, including the police, the Scottish courts and sentencing, prison and alternatives to custody, and how effective these responses are at reducing reoffending.10 min answer β
- How effectively do governments tackle social inequality?The ways the UK and Scottish governments respond to social and economic inequality, including the welfare state, benefits, the NHS and targeted policies, and how effective these responses are.10 min answer β
- Why does social and economic inequality exist in the UK?The nature and evidence of social and economic inequality in the UK, the groups most affected, and the main explanations for inequality including individualist and collectivist views.10 min answer β
- Who is affected by crime, and how?The impact of crime on victims, offenders and their families, communities, the economy and public services, and wider society, including the link between crime and deprivation in Scotland.11 min answer β