National 4/5 Modern Studies

1. National 4/5 Modern Studies • What you need to revise for the exam: • All topics in preparation for KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS(PEEL) • The 3 SKILLS QUESTIONS… CONLUSION QUESTIONS, SELECTIVE IN THE USE OF FACTS, OPTIONS QUESTIONS

2. KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS • Three topics: • Democracy in Scotland • Social issues in the UK • International issues (the USA)

3. DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND • Background knowledge… • Structure of Government in Britain – UK Parliament (House of Lords and House of Commons), Scottish Parliament, the monarchy, Prime Minister, First Minister, UK and Scottish Cabinets, Local Government, relationship between UK and Scottish Government, what councillors can make decisions on

4. DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND Representation • Role of MSPs and Councillors, how constituents can contact representatives • Role, function and areas of the Scottish Parliament • How MSPs represent constituents in constituency and in Scottish Parliament • First Minister’s Question Time, Debates, voting, committees, Members’ Bills • Work of a local councillor, how councillors can represent their wards, how councillors can resolve local conflicts (e.g. budgets, road by-passes)

5. DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND Participation • Political Parties – know main parties and basic policies • Purpose of political parties • Standing as a candidate – qualities needed • Election campaigns – purpose, process and outcomes • Why it is important to use right to vote • Voting systems – advantages and disadvantages of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) and the Additional Member System (AMS)

6. DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND Influence – Pressure Groups • Purpose • Aims • Methods used • Examples of pressure group action

7. SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE UK Social Inequality • Poverty – what is poverty, relative and absolute poverty, social exclusion, groups most at risk from social exclusion • Causes of poverty – unemployment, low pay, benefits system, family structure, gender, race • Consequences of poverty - lack of necessities, ill health – mental and physical, inequality in education, social exclusion, poor housing, addiction problems, homelessness

8. SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE UK Groups that tackle poverty • Central Government – benefits system, support for children and families, attracting jobs to UK, training and education, welfare to work, minimum wage, heating allowances, Big Society • Scottish Parliament – social inclusion, education, inclusion and equality policy • Local Authorities – Housing and Council Tax Benefit • Voluntary Sector – groups that tackle child poverty • Private Sector – job creation, greater role for private sector

9. SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE UK Health Inequalities • Lifestyle, social and economic disadvantages, geography, environment, age, gender, race • Groups that tackle health inequalities – The Scottish Parliament, NHS Scotland , Health Promotion and Education, the voluntary sector, local authorities- free school meals, private sector – private health insurance, PPP • Social inequality – focus on one of the following: race, gender, social class, gender, age, disability

10. INTERNATIONAL ISSUES – THE USA The USA • Background – powerful country, relevance to Scotland • Political issues – type of government, parts of government, participation • How democratic is the USA? • Social and Economic issues – population/immigration, employment, wealth and health inequalities, education, housing, crime and law (Focus on 2 or 3 of these) • Government response to social and economic issues • Rights and Responsibilities of citizens

11. SKILLS QUESTIONS • SELECTIVE IN THE USE OF FACTS • OPTIONS QUESTION • CONCLUSION QUESTION

12. KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS

13. International Issues – USA KU Advice Questions will not be specific to the USA…instead they will be worded as below: • Describe, in detail, two ways citizens from a world power you have studied can participate in politics • Explain, in detail, why social and economic inequalities exists in a world power you have studied. • Describe, in detail, at least two main political institutions of the government of a world power you have studied. • Choose one of the following – poor education, health inequalities, fear of crime, or poor housing. Explain, in detail, why this issue continues to be a problem in a world power you have studied. • Describe, in detail, the rights and responsibilities of citizens from a world power you have studied. • Explain, in detail, why some groups from a world power you have studied experience social and economic inequality.

14. International Issues – USA Skills Advice • The skills question in this section may not be specific to the USA • Remember though, you simply use the correct technique and no background knowledge is required

15. Revision Topics • Scottish Parliament – voting systems, local councils, SP basics, pressure groups, qualities needed for standing as a candidate • Social Inequality – Groups that tackle inequalities • USA – how democratic

16. Voting Systems • Just remember the pros and cons of the following: • FPTP • AMS • STV

20. Local Councils – Funding • How are councils funded? • Revenue Grant from Scottish Parliament – a lump sum of money (80% of council money) • Council tax – people who live in council areas pay council tax to council. Varies depending on size and value of property • Non-domestic rates – businesses pay a council tax so that they can trade in the council area • Charges for services – e.g. swimming pool or gym charges, late fees at library

22. BBC Revision Website • http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zxsnb9q

23. Local Councils – Resolving conflicts • How can councils resolve conflicts? • If there is traffic congestion in an area then councils can resolve this. For example, Glasgow City Council has introduced bus lanes in city centre – fine car drivers for using these – cuts congestion • If a resident of a council house has issues with a noisy neighbour they can contact the council and raise a complaint. Council can then resolve the issue possibly in collaboration with police • If local residents in an area have concerns about pollution caused by heavy traffic the council could create a by-pass road meaning that traffic is diverted from the area • If there is a concern about cars speeding in an area then the council is able to use measures such as introducing speed bumps, traffic lights or zebra crossings to tackle the issue and resolve the conflict.

24. Scottish Parliament Basics • Difference between Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government • Who meets in SP? • How many MSPs are there? Types of MSP? • Who do MSPs represent? • How can MSPs represent us in constituency and parliament? • What does the Scottish Government consist of? • How are laws made?

25. Pressure groups • What are they? • Methods? • Examples? • Why are some methods better than others?

26. Standing as a candidate • Qualities needed? • Confident – public speaking, addressing constituents and rest of MSPs in parliament • Hardworking – demanding job, long hours, working between constituency and Scottish Parliament • Approachable – constituents have to be comfortable with asking representative for help with issues • Reliable – have to get the job done, represent constituents effectively…otherwise will not be re-elected • Use common sense for this kind of question