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

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 (link together) information from a range 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 Evaluate the usefulness and reliability of sources

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

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

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 Communicating evidence in a report format (Structure) – up to 4 marks Reaching a decision (Conclusions), supported by evidence – up to 4 marks Evaluating the usefulness and reliability of sources of information – up to 2 marks

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

Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action Democracy Scottish Independence Option1- Independence Option 2-Scotland remains part of the union Option 3-Devolution 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

Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action Democracy EU Membership Option1- Leave the EU Option 2- Remain in the EU Option 3- Leave the political union but remain in the economic union Prisoners Voting Rights Option 1- All prisoners receive right to vote Option 2- Some prisoners receive the right to vote Option 3- Prisoners do not have the right to vote Voting System Option 1- Introduce STV to UK General Elections Option 2- Introduce the Alternative Vote to UK GE Option 3- Keep the current system - FPTP UK Immigration Option 1- Stop all immigration to the UK, including asylum Option 2- Cap numbers of immigrants per year Option 3- Introduce a points based system

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- Free universal healthcare for all 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

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 Use in Scotland Option 1-Minimum pricing on alcohol Option 2-Increase legal drinking age to 21 Option 3-More government information campaigns Smoking in Scotland Option 1-Increase the price of cigarettes Option 2-Increase legal age to buy cigarettes to 21 Option 3-Reduce cigarette advertising

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

Other Ideas EU membership Nuclear weapons Prisoner voting rights Change the voting system Immigration system

Choosing my Sources Choose between three and eight 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 ORIGIN of your source. For example dates, authors, titles of reports, TV channel first aired etc.

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