Senior Phase courses

National 5

Course Information

The National 5 Geography exam is split into two different sections.

Section one features an 80 mark paper completed under exam conditions in 2 hours 20 minutes. This paper is worth 80% of the overall grade and covers a range of topics.

Section two is an assignment which is worth 20% of the final grade.

Physical Environments

Here we study the physical processes of the earth and how it alters our natural environment. Topics:

§ Coasts

§ Glaciation

§ Weather

You'll learn how features, such as sea stacks and aretes form, along with looking at human interactions on these landscapes. Learn about the weather we experience in the UK and how it affects our lives.

Human Environments

Learn about societies across the world and how they continue to change. Topics include:

§ Rural

§ Urban

§ Population

Farming is essential to life, learn how it differs across the world from the UK to India. Cities develop and change over time, learn about life in the Dharavi slum and how Glasgow slums are now part of history. As populations explode in developing countries, they're shrinking in some developed nations, find out why!

Global Issues

We are all global citizens. Uncover the issues affecting mankind and our future from a global perspective. Topics covered are:

§ Climate Change

§ Environmental Hazards

We are in a climate emergency, learn what's causing it and what can be done to minimise its effects. A natural hazard is the threat of a naturally occurring event happening in a particular area often without warning, which has negative impacts on people and the landscape. Examples of natural hazards include tropical storms, earthquakes and volcanoes.

Higher

Course Information

The Higher Geography exam is split into three different sections. Question Paper 1 is completed under timed exam conditions, lasting 110 minutes and worth 100 marks. The topics are physical and human environments.

Question Paper 2 is worth 60 marks and completed under timed exam conditions lasting 70 minutes. The topics are global issues and geographical skills.

The final section is an assignment. This is worth 30 marks.

Physical Environments

Here we will investigate ecosystems and biodiversity. We will look at interdependence between natures plants and animals. Finally we will look deeper at human influences on biodiversity.

Human Environments

The earth provides use everything we need to survive. In this section we will look at plate tectonics and how they create deposits of certain minerals.

We also discover how earth's largest systems work. This includes circulation in oceans and atmosphere. This is the section where we also look into our changing climate.

Global Issues

In this section we will study Development and health which looks at validity of development indicators, differences in levels of development between developing countries, a water-related disease: causes, impact, management and primary healthcare strategies. Finally, we look at River basin management exploring the need for water management. Learners develop and apply geographical skills and knowledge and understanding to a mapping question.

Advanced Higher

Course Information

The course assessment consists of three components. Component 1 is a question paper worth 50 marks, with a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Component 2 is a project-folio focused on a geographical study, worth 60 marks, as detailed in the 'Course assessment' section. Component 3 is another project-folio, this time addressing a geographical issue, and is worth 40 marks, also outlined in the 'Course assessment' section.

Geographical Issues

Pupils will undertake research into a current geographical issue, critically evaluating different viewpoints and reaching a conclusion.

Geographical Study

Pupils will undertake a research project, gathering primary data in the field and analysing that data to reach a conclusion - residential trip to Isle of Skye.

Geographical Skills

Pupils will study a range of gathering and processing techniques to allow them to conduct their study, pupils will work on advanced mapping techniques, choosing and evaluating appropriate sites for developments and learn a range of statistical techniques.

Travel and Tourism

This course offers a global exploration of Travel and Tourism, with a strong focus on key industry themes including employability, customer experience, and customer service. Learners will also examine tourism within Scotland, the wider UK, and international destinations.

Assessment is entirely internal, with no final exam. To successfully complete the course, students must achieve all required units.

National 5

Course Information

The National 5 Modern Studies exam is split into two different sections.

· Section 1 features an 80-mark paper completed under exam conditions in 2 hours 20 minutes. This paper is worth 80% of the overall grade.

· Section 2 is an assignment, worth 20% of the final grade, completed in class under supervision.

Question Paper

The National 5 question paper is worth 80 marks and tests both knowledge and key skills. Students answer questions across three sections, each with a choice of topics. They will:

· Describe and explain political and social issues

· Support and oppose views using sources

· Make and justify decisions

· Draw conclusions using evidence

Democracy in Scotland

In this unit we will explore how democracy works in Scotland. You will learn about the role of elected representatives, committees and how people can influence decision making. You will also look at the powers of the Scottish Parliament and how it compares to the UK Parliament. By the end of the topic, you will understand how citizens can take part in politics and why involvement matters.

Crime and the Law

In this section, you will investigate the causes of crime and the impact it has on individuals and communities. You will explore how the police and courts deal with crime and the different types of punishment used in Scotland. The topic also looks at how society tries to prevent crime and support those affected by it.

World Power: China

This topic explores how the country is governed, including its political system, how people can take part in politics and how citizens are represented. They also learn about China's growing influence on other countries through its politics, economy and military. The topic looks at important social and economic issues such as poverty, health, education and employment. Finally, you will examine how the Chinese government is attempting to deal with these issues and how successful it has been.

Assignment

Worth 20 marks (20% of the course), the assignment lets students choose a Modern Studies topic, find information from two different sources and reach a conclusion. They evaluate the sources and apply their knowledge to explain key features of the issue. The final write-up is completed in 1 hour using a structured template.

Higher 

The Higher Modern Studies course is made up of three parts:

·         Question Paper 1 is worth 52 marks and lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes.

·         Question Paper 2 is worth 28 marks and lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes.

·         The Assignment is worth 30 marks and is completed in 1 hour and 30 minutes under supervised conditions.

Question Paper 1

This paper focuses on the political, social and international content of the Higher Modern Studies course. It is worth 52 marks, making up 47% of the overall course assessment and is completed under exam conditions in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Students are assessed on their ability to:

·         Give detailed explanations, analysisand evaluation of complex political, social, and economic issues.

·         Apply higher-order thinking skills to construct extended responses supported by evidence.

The paper is divided into three sections, each requiring one extended-response answer:

Democracy in the UK

In this unit, students explore how democracy works in the UK and how citizens can influence political decisions.

Topics include:

·         Governance of Scotland

·         Brexit

·         Parliamentary Representation

·         Electoral Systems

·         Voting Behaviour

·         Citizen Participation

Social Issues in the United Kingdom

This topic explores the causes and consequences of inequality in the UK and how it affects different groups in society.

Topics include:

·         Income and Wealth Inequality

·         Health Inequality

·         Impact on Groups

·         Individualist vs Collectivist Debate

·         Government Measures

International Issues

In this unit, students explore global challenges through an in-depth study of the United States of America as a world power.

Topics include:

·         Democratic Participation

·         Political Institutions

·         Socio-Economic Inequality

·         Government Responses

·         International Influence

Question Paper 2

This part of the Higher Modern Studies course focuses on developing essential analytical skills through the interpretation and evaluation of sources. It is worth 28 marks, making up 26% of the overall course assessment and is completed under exam conditions in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

You will work with a variety of source types including written texts, statistics, graphs and images. The paper is designed to test how you can interpret complex information and apply critical thinking.

Topics and skills covered include:

·         Drawing Conclusions - Use evidence from multiple sources to form and support detailed conclusions.

·         Objectivity - Detect and explain bias or neutrality in sources, considering language, tone and content.

·         Reliability - Evaluate how trustworthy and accurate different sources are, based on origin, purpose and content.

Assignment

Worth 30 marks,27% of the course, the assignment lets students research a contemporary issue with differing viewpoints. They gather and evaluate sources analyse findings and present a reasoned conclusion in report format.

Research is done over time; the final write-up is completed in 1 hour 30 minutes under exam conditions.

National 5 

Course Information

The National 5 History exam is split into two components.

Question Paper is completed under timed exam conditions, lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes. Pupils are required to answer source-based and knowledge questions across three units. It is worth 60 marks.

The assignment is worth 20 marks. Pupils carry out independent research on a historical issue of their choice and write a report under exam conditions, lasting 1 hour.

Unit 1: Scottish History - The Era of the Great War, 1910-1928 Pupils will study the impact of World War I on Scotland, including recruitment, trench warfare, and the home front. They will examine social, economic, and political changes in post-war Scotland.

Unit 2: British History - The Atlantic Slave Trade, 1770-1807 Pupils will explore the development of the slave trade, its impact on Britain and Africa, and the movement towards abolition. They will analyse the economic and moral arguments surrounding slavery.

Unit 3: European and World History - Free at Last Civil Rights in the USA, 1918-1968

Pupils will investigate the struggle for civil rights in the United States, focusing on the experiences of African Americans. They will study segregation, the role of key individuals such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, landmark events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, and the impact of legislation aimed at achieving racial equality.

Higher 

Course Information

The Higher History exam is split into three different sections (components).

Question Paper 1 (British, European and world history) is completed under timed exam conditions, lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. Pupils are required to write 2 essays. It is worth 44 marks (22 marks per essay). The topics covered are 'Britain and Ireland, 1900-1985' and 'Russia, 1881-1921'.

Question Paper 2 (Scottish history) is completed under timed exam conditions, lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. Pupils are required to write answers to source and knowledge questions. It is worth 36 marks. The topic covered is 'The Wars of Independence, 1249-1328'.

The final section is the assignment component. This is worth 30 marks. Pupils are required to carry out independent research on a chosen historical question. They will then write a detailed answer to their chosen question in the form of an essay. This is carried out in class under exam conditions, lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Paper 1: Britain and Ireland, 1900-1985

Here pupils will learn about growing divisions in Ireland after 1900 in terms of identity and the development of tension leading to conflict and civil war. Additionally, attempts to resolve the conflict, and the continuation of strife.

Paper 1: Russia, 1881-1921

Pupils will learn about the development of opposition to autocracy in a large multi-national state, the collapse of the Tsarist regime and the rise of the Bolsheviks during the years 1881-1921.

Paper 2: The Wars of Independence, 1249-1328

Pupils will learn about political change and military conflict arising from the Wars of Independence in Scotland. They will examine conditions in Scotland arising from the succession crisis and the subsequent rule of John Balliol after the Great Cause. They will look at responses in Scotland to English subjugation under King Edward and the rise of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Advanced Higher 

Course Information

The Advanced Higher History course is assessed through two components.

Question Paper (Historical Issues) is completed under timed exam conditions, lasting 3 hours. Pupils are required to write two essays and complete a source-based question. It is worth 90 marks. The topic covered is 'Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship, 1918-1939'.

The dissertation is worth 50 marks. Pupils undertake independent research on a historical issue of their choice and produce a 4,000-word dissertation. This is completed over the course of the year with guidance and support.

Paper: Germany: Democracy and Dictatorship, 1918-1939 Pupils will study the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi regime. They will explore the political, social, and economic challenges faced by Germany after World War I, the development of democracy, and the factors leading to dictatorship under Adolf Hitler.

Dissertation Pupils will choose a historical issue to investigate in depth. They will develop skills in research, analysis, and academic writing, producing a structured and well-argued dissertation based on primary and secondary sources.

National 5 - Course Information

The N5 RMPS exam is split into two sections.

Section one features an 80-mark paper completed under exam conditions in 2 hours 20 minutes. This paper is worth 80% of the overall grade and covers three units; a world religion, a moral issue and philosophical question.

Unit 1 - World Religion - Judaism Students will learn to;

- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Jewish beliefs and practices

- analyse these beliefs and practices

- evaluate the relevance, significance and impact of these beliefs and practices.

Unit 2 - Morality and Belief - Morality and Conflict Students will learn to;

- present factual knowledge and understanding of Conflict and the moral issues arising from it

- present factual knowledge and understanding of a religious and non-religious viewpoint on the moral issues

- analyse the different moral issues

- evaluate a religious and non-religious response to the moral issues

- present a reasoned viewpoint on the moral issues

Unit 3 - Religious and Philosophical Questions - Existence of God

Students will learn to;

- present factual knowledge and understanding of a religious and philosophical question

- present factual knowledge and understanding of contrasting responses to a religious and philosophical question

- analyse a religious and philosophical question and responses to it

- evaluate responses to a religious and philosophical question

- present a reasoned viewpoint on the religious and philosophical question

Section two is an assignment which is worth 20% of the final grade. This involves students creating an essay question on a topic they are interested in. They then have 8 hours in class to research this question and put together and essay to answer it. They

then have to write up this essay under exam conditions with the help of their resource sheet.

Higher - Course Information

The Higher RMPS exam is split into two sections.

Section one features two exam papers. Paper one is a 60-mark paper taking 2 hours 15 minutes. Paper two is a 20-mark paper lasting 45 minutes. Paper one covers the World Religion and Morality and Belief topics, while paper 2 focuses on Religious and Philosophical Questions.

Unit 1 - World Religion - Buddhism

Students will learn to;

- show in-depth knowledge and understanding of Buddhist beliefs and practices

- analyse the relationship between different religious beliefs; the relationship between religious beliefs and practices; and the purpose of living according to religious beliefs and practices

- evaluate the significance, relevance and impact of religious beliefs and practice

Unit 2 - Morality and Belief - Morality and Justice

Students will learn to;

- show in-depth knowledge and understanding of moral issues arising from crime and justice.

- analyse religious and non-religious responses to moral issues

- evaluate religious and non-religious responses to moral issues

Unit 3 - Religious and Philosophical Questions - Origins

Students will learn to;

- show in-depth knowledge and understanding of the question and responses, including religious and non-religious responses

- apply the skills of analysis and evaluation to the question and responses

- present a reasoned conclusion to the question

Section two is an assignment which is worth 30 marks (roughly 27%) of the final grade. This involves students creating an essay question on a topic they are interested in. They then have roughly 8 hours in class to research this question and put together and essay

to answer it. They then must write up this essay under exam conditions with the help of their resource sheet.

Level 6 - Religion, Belief and Values - Course Information

The Religion, Belief and Values Award helps learners to deepen their knowledge and understanding of how religion and values can shape and contribute to the lives of individuals and communities.

The Award encourages learners to explore and reflect on their personal faith or values, and to deepen their understanding of this through practical engagement in local, national or global communities.

The Award is split into two units;

1. Investigation Religion and Belief

The general aim of this Unit is to analyse and reflect on a chosen topic involving religion or religious belief. Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the topic by reflecting on religious and other viewpoints and their personal faith or values. They will have the opportunity to discuss and debate the topic they are investigating. Learners who complete this Unit will be able to: 1. Develop knowledge and understanding of a topic involving religion or religious belief 2. Reflect on their faith or values in response to the topic.

2. Values in Action The general aim of this Unit is for learners to put their faith or values into action through active engagement in the community. This may be achieved through a wide range of settings and contexts. Learners will record the activity they have taken part in. They will think critically and reflect on how it contributes to their understanding of their faith or values. Learners who complete this Unit will be able to: 1. Put their faith or values into action through engagement in the community 2. Reflect on the activity

Higher Politics

Course Information

The Higher Politics exam is split into three components.

Question Paper 1 (Political Theory and Political Systems) is completed under timed exam conditions, lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes. Pupils are required to write two essays. It is worth 50 marks (25 marks per essay). The topics covered are 'Political Ideologies' and 'Political Systems'.

Question Paper 2 (Political Parties and Elections) is completed under timed exam conditions, lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. Pupils are required to answer source-based and knowledge questions. It is worth 30 marks. The topic covered is 'Political Parties and Elections'.

The final component is the assignment, worth 30 marks. Pupils carry out independent research on a political issue of their choice and write a detailed report under exam conditions, lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Paper 1: Political Ideologies Pupils will explore key political ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and nationalism. They will examine the core beliefs, values, and historical development of these ideologies and how they influence political behaviour and institutions.

Paper 1: Political Systems Pupils will compare different political systems, focusing on the UK and USA. They will study the structure and function of government, the role of institutions, and the distribution of power within each system.

Paper 2: Political Parties and Elections Pupils will investigate the role of political parties in democratic systems, the electoral process, voting behaviour, and the impact of media and campaigning. They will analyse recent elections and trends in political participation.