29/12/23 UPDATE: Terrorism added in National 5 section; Advanced Higher content updated; revision strategy suggestions published.
Advanced Higher Modern Studies
Advanced Higher Modern Studies is a Level 7 SCQF course offered by the SQA - equivalent to the first year of Undergraduate. By reading the course, candidates develop a deepened understanding of the issues in society, and the responses to them. Assessment at Advanced Higher consists of a 5,000 dissertation and 3-hour exam.
Learn more on the SQA website
⚠ IMPORTANT ⚠
Candidates of Advanced Higher Modern Studies can study one of three main sections. These sections are: Political issues, law and order, or social inequality. Within these sections, there are three sub-sections, of which you're expected to address two in the final exam. At Inverurie Academy, we study Section 2 (Law and order). Within this section, we learn study Section 2B (Understanding criminal behaviour) and Section 2C (Responses by society to crime). Click the drop-down menus below to find out more.
Section 2B: Understanding criminal behaviour
Below are the Course Assessment Specification (CAS) headings for Section 2B. These headings are established by the SQA, and are the basis of the questions you're faced within the final exam.
definitions, measurements and perceptions of crime
contemporary relevance of theories of criminal behaviour including physiological, psychological and sociological theories
social and economic impact of criminal behaviour on victims, perpetrators, families and wider society
Section 2 C : Responses by society to crime
contemporary relevance of theories of punishment, including deterrence, rehabilitation, incapacitation, retributivism and denunciation
preventative responses to crime, including policing strategies, multi-agency approaches and early interventions
criminal justice responses to crime, including custodial and non-custodial sentences
PowerPoint presentations
LAST UPDATED: 29th December 2023
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Definitions, measurements and perceptions of crime
Relevance of theories of criminal behaviour, social and economic impacts of crime, relevance of theories of punishment, criminal justice responses to crime, preventative responses to crime, dissertation.
The Advanced Higher Modern Studies Dissertation is worth 50 marks, which is 36% of the overall marks available for the course. The rest comes from the final exam. For the Dissertation, candidates select a pre-approved title from the SQA website and write up a 5,000 word dissertation looking at the issue in detail. The Dissertation is then collected and marked by the SQA, usually in late March. The documents below will help you start the process.
Helpful links
Crimestoppers website: https://goo.gl/kTgTV2
Education Scotland – Crime and the Law resources: https://goo.gl/HbQ3ZG
Police Scotland website: https://goo.gl/ztigwm
Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research website: https://goo.gl/2HuuaK
Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research Advanced Higher resources: https://bit.ly/41y92Ya
Scottish Courts website: https://goo.gl/s3eeUp
Scottish Government – Crime and the Law website: https://goo.gl/7nW3Wk
Scottish Prison Service website: https://goo.gl/C293vW
SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies: https://bit.ly/41vV4q0
SQA Understanding Standards materials for Advanced Higher Modern Studies: https://bit.ly/43GbEFk
Victim Support Scotland: https://goo.gl/C4mbdy
STA Higher Modern Studies
Higher modern studies, potential essays.
See the document below for a list of potential essays. Use this to plan essays and revise knowledge, analysis and evaluation. Remember that there are many ways to word questions so practice being able to determine exactly what the question is asking you and figure out the structure.
For the crime and the law section there are no example questions – I may update this later. Just be aware that you could be asked about the causes, consequences and responses to crime.
Examples of ku Possible Questions MARCH 2018
USA Model Essays
See blow for model essays on various USA sub-topics:
USA Influence – USA Influence Model Essay
USA influence 2 – USA-Influence-Model-Essay
Rights and Responsibilities 12 mark analyse paragraph – Rights and Responsibilities USA Essay
Political progress minorities essay paragraph – Progress for Minorities Essay
Participation Essay paragraph – Participation Voting Paragraph
How democratic paragraph – How democratic paragraph Feb 2018
Government responses to social and economic inequalities, Affirmative Action paragraph – Government Responses to S and E inequalities model para AA
Checks on Government Model Essay – Checks on Government Model Essay
Analyse Paragraph – Social and Economic Inequalities – Analyse – Social and Inequalities Model Essay
Knowledge Questions
See the document below for a 20 mark essay guide:
20 Mark Knowledge Question September 2015
Remember that for 12 mark analyse questions, there are 8 marks for knowledge and 4 marks for analysis – no need for an overall conclusion and just a one sentence introduction if any.
For 12 mark evaluate questions, there are 8 marks for knowledge and 4 marks for evaluation (conclusions). You may do an overall conclusion for this type of question but you can also do mini-conclusions at the end of each paragraph.
Skills Questions
The PowerPoints below explain the techniques for answering the two different types of skills questions:
Conclusion Questions UPDATED JAN 2018
Objectivity Questions
Remember to use the SQA website for the last three years of past papers and the specimen paper:
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47924.html
Online Study Materials
Visit Modernity Scotland for extra Higher materials – https://www.modernity.scot/ (Username is stthomas, see Mr Canning for password)
See the US and Canada section of the BBC news website for up-to-date stories relevant to the world powers topic – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada
See the politics section of the BBC website for up-to-date news relevant to the Democracy in Scotland and the UK unit – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics
See BBC Bitesize for Higher Modern Studies revision materials on all three units – https://www.bbc.com/education/subjects/ztsvr82
All PowerPoints below:
1. Lessons 1 and 2 USA Intro, geography etc. Blog
2. LESSONS 3-8 Political System and Process Blog
3. LESSONS 9-16 Social and Economic Inequalities Blog
4. International Influence of the USA Blog
You can also use the Modernity Scotland website for more information on the USA topic – https://www.modernity.scot/ – see Mr Canning for login details.
Democracy in the UK
Below you will find materials for the Democracy in the UK unit.
Participation – Participation in the Political System Blog
3. Impact of EU membership Blog
Welcome to the Higher Modern Studies Blog!
Welcome to the St Thomas Aquinas Higher Modern Studies blog. Here you will find class materials for all topics. PowerPoints from class will be posted here following lessons. If you miss a period you can catch up by accessing the blog.
Materials posted here will be the same as in class but will not include images.
- Search for:
modern studies.
Society & culture.
Here you will find thinkfour studio tutorials and user uploads for SQA Higher Modern Studies . Either search for a topic you want to focus on or browse the tutorials below.
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Advanced Higher Modern Studies
Alternative certification model.
The alternative certification model is how National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses will be resulted this year, following the cancellation of the 2021 exams. It involves five different stages.
View the alternative certification model and see what will happen at each stage.
Essential Information
Course specification.
Explains the structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
- Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course Specification (Gaelic Medium) February 2020
- Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course Specification September 2019
2022 revision support for learners
- 2022 revision support for learners: Advanced Higher Modern Studies
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Access all past papers by subject/level
Additional question papers resources
Illustrates the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers candidates will sit (includes marking instructions).
- Advanced Higher Modern Studies Specimen Question Paper September 2019
There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21
- Advanced Higher Modern Studies Question Paper
- Advanced Higher Modern Studies Marking Instructions
Coursework ( 12/09/2023 )
This section provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.
- Advanced Higher Modern Studies Approved List of Dissertations October 2021
- Project-dissertation title feedback form September 2023
- Coursework Assessment Task for Advanced Higher Modern Studies September 2019
- Guidance on conditions of assessment
- Coursework for External Assessment
Understanding Standards ( 10/10/2023 )
- Examples of candidate evidence with commentaries
Further examples of candidate evidence and commentaries can be found on the SQA Secure Site. You can access these through your SQA Coordinator.
Audio Presentations
- Overview of course assessment 2020-2021
- Overview of course assessment 2019 (16 minutes)
Changes to Understanding Standards materials
- Changes to published Understanding Standards materials for all subjects
Please note: Understanding Standards materials are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain up to date.
Additional Resources session 2020-22
Further information can be found on the Understanding Standards Website.
Course reports ( 14/09/2023 )
Course reports.
- 2023 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course Report September 2023
- 2022 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course Report September 2022
- 2019 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course Report October 2019
Verification Reports
- Modern Studies Verification Key Messages Round 1 March 2018
- Modern Studies Qualification Verification Summary Report June 2019
Ushare open learning resources
Where can you take this course?
Centre Finder
Helper-buttons.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
How to structure an essay. Different Modern Studies teachers will give different advice on how to write 20 mark essays, but most would agree that the following is good practice: Introduction. Main ...
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...
This video gives help and advice on how to answer 20 marks essay questions in the Higher Modern Studies exam.For more help with Modern Studies, please visit:...
Higher; Paper One exam questions How to write a 12 mark essay. How to answer Paper One exam essay questions to get for Higher Modern Studies. Part of Modern Studies Exam and assignment
When you are writing an essay in Modern Studies, just like climbing the Matterhorn, you have to pick the right route. Some routes are safer and will get you to the top. Some routes are more complicated and can lead to trouble. I want to tell you about the route I use when teaching essays to my class, one that can help you get to the top.
Watch this video tutorial to find out how to structure the perfect essay for Higher Modern Studies (and how to climb the Matterhorn).Subscribe now to keep up...
Watch this to understand how to develop a perfect line of argument in a Higher Modern Studies essay (and if the US President is all-powerful) ... It's the best way to ensure that you pick up the two structure marks given for 20 mark essays and it's also a skill that you will use in other subjects, at university and if you need to write in ...
There are two types of 20 mark questions: Discuss. To what extent. Discuss... Questions. You must provide information and ideas about the topic but you must also analyse and evaluate different ...
The examination for Higher Modern Studies has two papers. Paper 1 is essay based and is worth 52 marks. Paper 2 is skills based and is worth 28 marks. HOMEWORK. will be given regular homework for Higher Modern Studies. Higher students expected to take responsibility for their own learning, organisation and homework and to do significant amounts ...
Advanced Higher Modern Studies. Advanced Higher Modern Studies is a Level 7 SCQF course offered by the SQA - equivalent to the first year of Undergraduate. By reading the course, candidates develop a deepened understanding of the issues in society, and the responses to them. Assessment at Advanced Higher consists of a 5,000 dissertation and 3 ...
Welcome to the Higher Modern Studies Blog! November 8, 2017 Uncategorized. Welcome to the St Thomas Aquinas Higher Modern Studies blog. Here you will find class materials for all topics. PowerPoints from class will be posted here following lessons. If you miss a period you can catch up by accessing the blog.
Higher Modern Studies marking grid for 20 mark questions (KU = 8 marks; analysis/evaluation = 12 marks) 1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks 5−6 marks Range of relevant knowledge Accurate, relevant, up-to-date. One relevant aspect of the issue given with some description. Two relevant aspects of the issue given with some description or
Here you will find thinkfour studio tutorials and user uploads for SQA Higher Modern Studies. Either search for a topic you want to focus on or browse the tutorials below. search thinkfour. Search for: modern studies videos explore our subject library. thinkfour is created as a free learning resource for young people. ...
Exam structure. This qualification has two parts: the exam - worth 80 marks. the assignment - worth 20 marks. The exam is one paper and lasts for 2 hours and 20 minutes. It is divided into ...
Explain and apply the structure of writing a 20 mark essay. The Modern Studies exam is separated into three sections: Section A - Democracy in the United Kingdom and Scotland Section B - Social Issues Section C - World Powers In Higher Modern Studies paper 1 you will have to: Write one 20 Mark essay (this can appear anywhere in the three ...
Answering just one essay question can seem daunting. However, examiners just want to see your ideas and opinions on the modern text you have studied. The guide below will enable you to best express these ideas and opinions in a way that will gain the highest marks. It includes guides on: Answering the question; Planning your essay; Writing your ...
Find SQA Higher Modern Studies past papers, specimen question papers and course specification and important subject updates here. ... Explains the structure of the course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed. Higher Modern Studies Course Specification (Gaelic ...
Advanced Higher Modern Studies Specimen Question Paper September 2019; 2021. There were no exams in 2021. The 2020-21 question paper resources are, for most subjects, modified papers which reflect the modifications put in place for session 2020-21. Advanced Higher Modern Studies Question Paper; Advanced Higher Modern Studies Marking Instructions
Learn how to write an assignment for National 5 Modern Studies. Understand overview, picking a topic, choosing a title, aims, research and writing.
Number of Essays. Two 20 Marks. One 12 Marks. Time. 1 hour 45 mins. 2 minutes a mark. 20 Marks - 40 mins each. 12 Marks - 24 mins. Marks Breakdown. Structure (2). Knowledge and Understanding (8).
Main Body. The simplest approach to this is to base your paragraphs on the SEE system (Statement; Explanation; Example). A basic approach would be as follows: Sample question: There are many ...
The typical essay structure that I used at Advanced higher was ASEC - this is how you get marks. Analysis, Synthesis, Evaluation, and Comparison. I think the marking layout is 8, 8, 8, and 6 respectively. Synthesis. A great key phrase to make synthesis obvious to your marker is "this point is further explained by…" or something along ...
The key part of any type of final conclusion is that it must refer to and answer the question set. You must use evaluative language. One approach is to the following: Summarise what your essay has ...