International Issues: overview of Section 3 of SQA National 5 Modern Studies
An overview of Section 3 of SQA National 5 Modern Studies, International Issues, covering the two options: studying a world power (such as the USA, its political system, socio-economic issues and international influence) or a world issue (its causes, effects and the international responses to it).
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International Issues is Section 3 of the SQA National 5 Modern Studies question paper, worth 20 marks. It looks beyond the UK, and candidates choose one of two options. This page maps both and shows how they connect.
The two options
A world power (e.g. the USA). A country strong enough to influence world events. You study its political system, the socio-economic issues affecting its people, and how it influences other countries through military, economic, political and cultural power.
A world issue. A major problem crossing national borders, such as a conflict or a development issue like global poverty. You study its causes, its effects, and how countries, international organisations and NGOs respond, and how effective those responses are.
How to study Section 3
- Choose one option and go deep. You only answer one, so learn either your world power or your world issue thoroughly.
- Use real, current detail. Examiners reward specific, accurate knowledge of your chosen power or issue.
- Learn causes, effects and responses. For a world issue especially, this framework structures almost any answer.
- Practise describe and evaluation answers. "To what extent" questions need both sides and a judgement.
- Stay neutral. Present countries, groups and issues fairly and factually.
For the official course specification
The SQA publishes the full National 5 Modern Studies course specification, specimen paper and past papers with marking instructions at sqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and SQA past papers, and use the world power or world issue your own course studies.