Higher Modern Studies Assignment

1. Higher Modern Studies Assignment • Worth 30 marks out of a total of 90 for the course – 33% of grade • The marks gained for the assignment will be added to the marks gained in the question paper (final exam) to give an overall grade for the course

2. Higher Modern Studies Assignment • Identify an issue (should be an issue on which there are alternative views) • Research chosen topic using various sources • Analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources • Evaluate the usefulness and reliability of sources • Reach a decision • Show detailed knowledge and understanding of the issue to support decision • Show an awareness of alternatives to decision (different views) • Communicate information in a report format

3. Higher Modern Studies Assignment • Two stages: • Research stage – 8 hours • Identifying issue, collecting evidence, analysing, synthesising and evaluating information, reaching a decision. 6 sources of evidence. • Production of evidence stage – 1.5 hours (Exam Conditions) • During this, only have access to specified resources (research evidence) which is material collected during research stage on up to two single-sided sheets of A4

4. Higher Modern Studies Assignment • Production of evidence is completed independently (on your own!) although teachers can provide “reasonable assistance”, such as: • Showing candidates the instructions for assignment • Clarifying instructions • Advice on choice of issue • Advice on sources to use • Arranging visits to gather evidence • Checking progress regularly

5. How marks are awarded… • Showing knowledge and understanding of chosen issue and awareness of alternative views – up to 10 marks • Analysing and synthesising information from various sources including use of research evidence – up to 10 marks • Evaluating the usefulness and reliability of sources of information – up to 2 marks • Communicating evidence in a report format – up to 4 marks • Reaching a decision, supported by evidence – up to 4 marks

6. Research Evidence • No more than 2 sides of A4…information included could be: • Evidence/data from primary or secondary research • Bullet points/headings • Mind-maps • Statistical, graphical or numerical data • Survey results • Interview questions and/or answers • Questionnaire and/or results • List of internet search engine results • Newspaper article or extracts • Summary notes taken from a visit or talk • Summary notes taken from a written or audio-visual source

7. Choosing my Sources • Choose between three and six sources. • Use sources such as newspaper reports, public opinion surveys, pie charts/bar graphs, notes from a DVD, interview notes, response to a letter/email. • Make sure you use a variety of text and statistical sources. • The sources that you use must be RELEVANT to your topic. • It is important to note the ORIGINof your source. • For example dates, authors, titles of reports, TV channel first aired etc.

8. Possible Topics – Social Issues in the UK Make sure the problem you identify is one where there are several different views which can lead to different decisions • The Welfare State in the UK • Obesity in Scotland • Alcohol in Scotland • Smoking in Scotland • Child Poverty • Gender Inequality in Society • Racial Inequality in Society • Unemployment in the UK • Social Exclusion

9. Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action The Welfare State in the UK Option 1- Benefits for all Option 2-Means Tested Benefits Option 3-Scrap the benefits system Obesity in Scotland Option 1-Tax fatty foods/ drinks Option 2-Free healthy school meals for all Option 3-Government subsidised fruit and veg Alcohol in Scotland Option 1-Minimum pricing on alcohol Option 2-Increase age to 21 Option 3-More government information campaigns Smoking in Scotland Option 1-Increase the price of cigarettes Option 2-Increase age to 21 Option 3-Reduce cigarette advertising

10. Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action Child Poverty Option1- Free school meals for all Option 2- Increased nursery hours Option 3- Child benefit should be universal Gender Inequality in Society Option1- 50:50 policy Option 2-Increase in the national minimum wage Option 3- Free childcare up to the end of primary school Racial Inequality in Society Option1- Introduce affirmative action policies Option 2-Increased racial awareness schemes in schools Option 3-Tougher penalties for organisations for not implementing the Equality Act Unemployment in the UK Option1- More training programmes for unemployed youths Option 2-Get rid of zero hour contracts Option 3-Cut benefits Social Exclusion Option1- More vocational education Option 2-Increase benefits Option 3- Increase the national minimum wage

11. Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action Democracy Scottish Independence Option1- Independence Option 2-Scotland remains part of the union Option 3-Devo Max The House of Lords Option 1-Elect the House of Lords Option 2-Disband the House of Lords Option 3-Keep the existing arrangement Increase voter turnout Option 1-Introduce compulsory voting Option 2-Decrease the age to 16 Option 3-More campaigns to increase turnout The Influence of the Media Option 1-More control over the media Option 2-Less control over the media Option 3-Level of influence of the media to stay the same

12. Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action The USA Illegal Immigration Option 1- Tighter border control Option 2-Amnesty to illegals Option 3-Guest worker programme Health care in the USA Option 1-The Affordable Care Act Option 2- Freeuniversal healthcare Option 3-Individual responsibility Political Participation in the USA Option 1-Vote or Die/ Rock the Vote Option 2-Compulsary voting Option 3-More ethnic minority candidates

13. Information from John McTaggart • Showing knowledge and understanding of chosen issue and awareness of alterative views – up to 10 marks I see this as straightforward KU of the issues, presented a bit like we currently do for the current DME • Analysing and synthesising information from various sources including use of research evidence – up to 10 marks Again, like we currently do, using a range of sources and synthesising them • Evaluating the usefulness and reliability of sources of information – up to 2 marks Comments on validity, reliability, bias, agenda, professional status, opinionated, official report. That kind of thing. A bit like what we do with the AH. This Source was useful because or not so useful because. This source was quite reliable because. However,.. that kind of thing • Communicating evidence in a report format – up to 4 marks Like we do just now, Structure, intro, subheadings, conclusion • Reaching a decision, supported by evidence – up to 4 marks Like we do now, supported by evidence from sources • Pupils shouldn’t write too much on the planning sheet and simply copying things from the planning sheet on to the write up will get few if any marks.