Continuous assessment is undertaken throughout the session to track pupils’ progress and class assessments are undertaken at appropriate times.
Assessment is for Learning strategies assist in skills and knowledge development. These are embedded in our S1 – S3 courses.
Revision lists are issued to pupils prior to formal assessment which usually takes place at the end of each unit of study and during the S3 assessment and S4 – S6 formal examination diets.
National 4 and National 5
N4 and N5 assessment takes place during each unit of study. Assessment can take the form of an end of unit assessment, group work or homework tasks. End of unit assessments help N5 pupils prepare for the formal school assessments and the final examination.
Higher
Unit assessments are carried out for each of the three units of study. These are internally assessed.
Advanced Higher
Internally assessed unit outcomes.
SQA Examinations
N4 pupils are internally assessed. There is no external examination.
N5 pupils sit an external examination which is worth 100 marks and has two elements:
- an assignment – completed in school under examination conditions and marked by the SQA. Worth 20 marks.
- a written paper which assesses knowledge and skills developed during the three units of study. Worth 80 marks.
Higher pupils sit an external examination which is worth 110 marks and has two elements:
- an assignment – completed in school under examination conditions and marked by the SQA. Worth 30 marks.
- a written paper which assesses knowledge and skills developed during the three units of study. Worth 80 marks.
Advanced Higher pupils sit an external examination which is worth 140 marks and has two elements:
- a dissertation of between 4000 and 5000 words. Worth 50 marks
- a written paper which assesses knowledge and skills developed during the units of study. Worth 90 marks.
Politics, Sociology and Criminology
In S6, the Modern Studies Department also offers Higher Politics, Higher Sociology and Criminology NPA L6.
Politics
The Higher course includes three units of study:
- Political Theory
- Political Systems – comparison of UK and USA
- Political Parties and Elections
The Higher course aims to develop pupils’ skills, using a range of source information to:
- Compare and contrast points of view on an issue
- Assess the accuracy of a statement using a range of data sources
Course Assessment
Higher candidates sit an external examination which is worth 110 marks and has the following elements:
- an assignment – completed in school under examination conditions and marked by the SQA. This is worth 30 marks.
- two written exam papers which assess knowledge and skills developed during the three units of study; also marked by the SQA. Worth 80 marks.
- Paper 1 requires candidates to answer two 20 mark and one 12 mark extended response questions.
- Paper 2 requires candidates to answer one 8 mark comparison question and one 20 mark data analysis question, drawing together all information to assess the accuracy of a statement.
Sociology
The Higher course includes three units of study:
- Human Society
- Culture and Identity
- Social Issues
The course also aims to develop pupils’ investigation and communication skills. Pupils will develop skills that will help them draw conclusions and evaluate sources of evidence and research.
Course Assessment
Pupils sit an external examination, worth 110 marks, which has the following elements:
- an assignment – this assesses pupils’ investigation and communication skills appropriate to Sociology. Pupils will carry out their own secondary research into a topic of their choice and produce a report on their findings. This is marked by the SQA and is worth 30 marks.
- a written exam paper – this assesses pupils’ use of skills and their knowledge and understanding of sociological perspectives, theories and concepts. The paper is split into three sections – Human society (30 marks), Culture and identity (25 marks) and Social issues (25 marks).
Criminology
National Progression Award SCQF Level 6
Criminology is the scientific study of crime, including its causes, responses by the criminal justice system, and methods of prevention.
Pupils will study the following three units:
Criminology: Nature and Extent of Crime
- Pupils will develop an understanding of the complex nature of crime and the problems with measuring crime.
Criminology: Forensic Psychology
- The purpose of this unit is to provide candidates with an introduction to the work of Forensic Psychologists in the Police, Courts and the Prison Estate. Pupils will develop an understanding of different psychological theories of criminal behaviour, including psychopathy. They will also have the opportunity to explore extraordinary criminal behaviour.
Crime and Law Unit
- In the crime and the law context, pupils focus on the law including legal rights and responsibilities of UK citizens, causes and theories of crime, impact of crime on victims, perpetrators and families, the social and economic impact of crime on society, and the effectiveness of custodial and non-custodial sentences.
Course Assessment:
Although there is no external examination for Level 6 Criminology the course is still demanding.
Pupils are assessed on a unit-by-unit approach where they must complete between two and three outcomes per unit.
Pupils must pass all outcomes within the three units to gain a full course award.
- Closed and open book assessments
- Group and individual research projects and presentations
Skills Developed:
- data handling, critical analysis and complex thinking skills
- problem solving
- research skills
- reaching and drawing conclusions
