History and Modern Studies

The History and Modern Studies department is staffed by specialist History and Modern Studies teachers.  The department seeks to ensure that students of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and characters will be well taught and well supported. We hope that students who come through our department take away with them not only good results but also the sense that studying History or Modern Studies for its own sake is worthwhile, enriching, fulfilling and good fun.

 

History and Modern Studies: Staffing

There are currently seven teachers in the History and Modern Studies Department. They are: Timothy Clancey, Anne Connor, Mike McCabe (HoD), Tania Peters, Leigh Robertson, Andrew J Savage and Neil Seaton.

History: Curriculum

S1-S2

During S1 and S2 students look at different  aspects of the Middle Ages, the Italian Renaissance, the experience of black people in America and the causes of the French Revolution. However, they do not study ‘nation-state history' - English History, Scottish History, French History and so on.  Instead the focus is on key concepts and understanding of these concepts is reached through exploring different contexts.  So, for example, in S1 History one of the key concepts is power and this is explored through examination of kingship in the Middle Ages.  Another key concept is culture and this is explored through study of the Italian Renaissance.  In S2 key concepts include slavery and revolution. Through this approach students are introduced to a variety of different kinds of History (political, economic, social, cultural, urban and so on) in the course of S1-S2.

S3-S4

Standard Grade History builds on the ‘key concepts through different contexts' approach begun in S1-S2. Key concepts in the Standard Grade course include war, peace, technology, discontent and revolution and these are examined through exploration of the First World War, economic, social and political changes in Scotland and Britain from the 1830s to the 1930s, and Russia from 1900 to 1941.

S5

At Higher level the number of key concepts is reduced to three: identity, authority and ideology. These are considered through close study of the growth of nationalism in Germany from 1815-1939 and the growth of democracy in Britain from 1850-1950.  In addition, students study an area of Scottish History: Scotland in the Age of Reformation, 1542-1603.

S6

The Advanced Higher History course is demanding but rewarding. Students may choose one of two options: Northern Britain or Weimar and Nazi Germany. The Northern Britain option involves a close study of Celtic and Germanic tribal societies north of Hadrian's Wall from the Romans to 1000CE. In the Germany, 1918-1939 option students grapple with the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Weimar Republic and with the reasons why this bold experiment in democracy gave way to the Nazi dictatorship. Each AH candidate has to write a 4 000 word dissertation on a topic, issue or theme from her/his chosen option.

Modern Studies: Curriculum

S2

Beginning in S2 students are introduced to Modern Studies as a discrete subject. Modern Studies is not ‘History without the History' or ‘Politics without the Politics' but is rather the study of people in contemporary societies. Modern Studies aims to enable students to understand the world in which they live and to become active citizens in it.

S3-S4

In Intermediate II Modern Studies knowledge and understanding is derived from the study of a range of contemporary social, economic and political issues including government and decision making in Scotland, crime and the law in society, and aspects of politics and society in the United States.

S5

Higher Modern Studies enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of a range of contemporary political, social and international issues through close study of three key areas: electoral systems, voting and political attitudes in the UK; wealth and health inequalities in the UK; the United States of America.

S6

The Advanced Higher Modern Studies course is not for the faint hearted. The focus of the course is on law and order and involves in-depth study of at least three of the following key areas: theories of law and order; the causes of crime and public disorder in the UK; responses to crime and public disorder in the UK; the penal system. Students also get to grips with a variety of political and social science research methods and each candidate is expected to complete a 5 000 word dissertation.