Higher Modern Studies Assignment - PowerPoint Presentation

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Higher Modern Studies Assignment

Worth 30 marks out of a total of 90 for the course – 33% of gradeThe 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 sourcesAnalyse and synthesise information from a range of sourcesEvaluate the usefulness and reliability of sourcesReach a decisionShow detailed knowledge and understanding of the issue to support decisionShow an awareness of alternatives to decision (different views)Communicate information in a report format

Higher Modern Studies Assignment

Two stages:Research stage – 8 hoursIdentifying 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 assignmentClarifying instructionsAdvice on choice of issueAdvice on sources to useArranging visits to gather evidenceChecking progress regularly

How marks are awarded…

Showing knowledge and understanding of chosen issue and awareness of alternative views – up to 10 marksAnalysing and synthesising information from various sources including use of research evidence – up to 10 marksEvaluating the usefulness and reliability of sources of information – up to 2 marksCommunicating evidence in a report format – up to 4 marksReaching a decision, supported by evidence – up to 4 marks

Research Evidence

No more than 2 sides of A4…information included could be:Evidence/data from primary or secondary researchBullet points/headingsMind-mapsStatistical, graphical or numerical dataSurvey resultsInterview questions and/or answersQuestionnaire and/or resultsList of internet search engine resultsNewspaper article or extractsSummary notes taken from a visit or talkSummary notes taken from a written or audio-visual source

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 ORIGIN of your source. For example dates, authors, titles of reports, TV channel first aired etc.

Possible Topics – Social Issues in the UK

The Welfare State in the UKObesity in Scotland Alcohol in ScotlandSmoking in ScotlandChild PovertyGender Inequality in SocietyRacial Inequality in Society Unemployment in the UKSocial Exclusion

Make sure the problem you identify is one where there are

several different

views which can lead to different decisions

Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action

The Welfare State in the UKOption 1- Benefits for allOption 2-Means Tested Benefits Option 3-Scrap the benefits systemObesity in ScotlandOption 1-Tax fatty foods/ drinksOption 2-Free healthy school meals for allOption 3-Government subsidised fruit and vegAlcohol in ScotlandOption 1-Minimum pricing on alcoholOption 2-Increase age to 21Option 3-More government information campaigns Smoking in ScotlandOption 1-Increase the price of cigarettesOption 2-Increase age to 21Option 3-Reduce cigarette advertising

Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action

Child PovertyOption1- Free school meals for all Option 2- Increased nursery hours Option 3- Child benefit should be universal Gender Inequality in SocietyOption1- 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 policiesOption 2- Increased racial awareness schemes in schools Option 3-Tougher penalties for organisations for not implementing the Equality ActUnemployment in the UKOption1- More training programmes for unemployed youths Option 2- Get rid of zero hour contractsOption 3-Cut benefits Social ExclusionOption1- More vocational educationOption 2- Increase benefits Option 3- Increase the national minimum wage

Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action

Scottish IndependenceOption1- IndependenceOption 2-Scotland remains part of the unionOption 3-Devo MaxThe House of LordsOption 1-Elect the House of Lords Option 2-Disband the House of Lords Option 3-Keep the existing arrangementIncrease voter turnoutOption 1-Introduce compulsory votingOption 2-Decrease the age to 16Option 3-More campaigns to increase turnout The Influence of the MediaOption 1-More control over the mediaOption 2-Less control over the media Option 3-Level of influence of the media to stay the same

Democracy

Possible Topics – Three Courses of Action

Illegal Immigration Option 1- Tighter border controlOption 2-Amnesty to illegals Option 3-Guest worker programmeHealth care in the USA Option 1-The Affordable Care Act Option 2- Free universal healthcareOption 3-Individual responsibility Political Participation in the USAOption 1-Vote or Die/ Rock the Vote Option 2-Compulsary votingOption 3-More ethnic minority candidates

The USA

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.