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.
Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom
Module overview β- What is devolution, and how are powers divided between the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament at Westminster?Devolution and the division of powers: how the Scotland Act transferred devolved powers to Holyrood while reserved powers stayed with Westminster, and why the split matters.12 min answer β
- How do political parties campaign in elections, and what affects how people vote?Elections and campaigns: how parties campaign for votes, the tools they use such as manifestos, the media and social media, and the factors that influence how people vote.12 min answer β
- How can citizens participate in democracy beyond voting, and how well are people represented?Participation and representation: the ways citizens can take part in democracy, from voting to joining parties and campaigns, and how well groups in society are represented.12 min answer β
- How do pressure groups and trade unions try to influence decision-makers, and how effective are they?Pressure groups and trade unions: how organised groups try to influence government decisions through methods such as lobbying, petitions, demonstrations and industrial action, and what makes them effective.12 min answer β
- How is the Scottish Parliament made up, and how does it hold the Scottish Government to account?The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government: MSPs, the First Minister and ministers, committees, and the ways Parliament scrutinises and holds the government to account.12 min answer β
- How do the main voting systems used in Scotland and the UK work, and what are their advantages and disadvantages?Voting systems: how First Past the Post, the Additional Member System and the Single Transferable Vote work, where each is used, and their strengths and weaknesses.13 min answer β
Exam Skills and the Assignment
Module overview β- How do you answer a question that asks whether a view is exaggerated or selective in its use of facts?Detecting exaggeration and selectivity: judging whether a stated view is fully, partly or not supported by the sources, using evidence that backs the view and evidence that goes against it.12 min answer β
- How do you answer a source-based conclusions question in National 5 Modern Studies so the evidence, not the opinion, earns the marks?Drawing conclusions from sources: using the bullet headings in the question to draw a conclusion for each, then supporting it with linked evidence from the sources and reaching an overall conclusion.12 min answer β
- How do you answer a question that asks which option a source supports, giving reasons from the evidence?Selecting and using evidence to support a view: choosing the option a set of sources best supports and giving reasons by linking specific evidence from the sources to the choice.12 min answer β
- What is the National 5 Modern Studies Assignment, and how is it researched, written and marked?The Assignment: the 20-mark coursework task in which a candidate researches a Modern Studies issue, gathers and references sources, and writes a structured report under supervised conditions.11 min answer β
International Issues
Module overview β- How does a world power such as the USA exert influence around the world?The international influence of a world power: how the USA uses military, economic, political and cultural power to influence other countries and global affairs.12 min answer β
- How is the political system of the USA, a major world power, organised, and how do its citizens take part?The political system of the USA: the Constitution, the separation of powers between the President, Congress and Supreme Court, the two main parties, and how citizens participate.12 min answer β
- What socio-economic issues affect groups in the USA, and how does the government respond?Socio-economic issues in the USA: inequalities in wealth and income, health, education, employment, housing and crime affecting different groups, and government responses to them.13 min answer β
- What causes a major world issue, what are its effects, and how does the international community respond?A world issue: the causes and effects of a significant international problem (such as a conflict or a development issue) and the responses of countries, international organisations and NGOs.12 min answer β
Social Issues in the United Kingdom
Module overview β- What are the causes of crime, and how does crime affect individuals and society in the UK?The causes and effects of crime: how poverty, drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, family and other factors contribute to crime, and how crime affects victims, communities and wider society.12 min answer β
- How do individuals, the police, the legal system and the state respond to crime in Scotland and the UK?Responses to crime: the roles of individuals, the police, the Scottish legal system and courts, prisons and the government in tackling crime, and how effective these responses are.13 min answer β
- What are the main causes of social and economic inequality in the United Kingdom?The causes of social inequality: how unemployment, low pay, poor health, lack of qualifications, discrimination and family circumstances contribute to social and economic inequality in the UK.12 min answer β
- What are the effects of social inequality on individuals, groups and wider society in the UK?The effects of social inequality: how inequality harms health, education, housing and life chances for affected groups, and the wider costs to society.12 min answer β
- How do governments and other organisations respond to social inequality in the UK, and how effective are these responses?Responses to social inequality: how the UK and Scottish governments use the welfare state, benefits, the minimum wage, the NHS and other measures, and the role of charities and voluntary groups, plus how effective these responses are.13 min answer β