standard grade modern studies- exam booklet
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Standard Grade Modern Studies
Standard Grade:- Credit Level Papers
REVISION- POINTERS AND
ADVICE
This booklet contains the CREDIT level examinations from 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. It also includes the relevant marking schemes.
The following should give you an idea of what to expect in each section of the exam. This is not meant as an exhaustive list- there is potential for other
questions in line with your course notes!!
Living in a Democracy
In this part of the syllabus you should know:
How candidates are chosen for election Ways in which people can take part in politics in the UK How elections work in Scotland and the UK How representatives work for their constituents at Westminster, the Scottish
Parliament, and on Local Councils Pressure Groups in the UK Trade Unions in the UK
Before your Standard Grade exam, you should revise each of these topics.
Knowledge and Understanding questions for this Syllabus Area will be based on three different concepts:
Participation Representation Rights and Responsibilities
Remember: Questions about Politics in Scotland could be based on the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the Westminster Parliament in London, or local councils in Scotland.
Potential Question Themes
Why women or ethnic minorities are underrepresented in the House of Commons
Trade union methods
Role of TU members during disputes with their employers
The work of an MSP or MP in terms of representing his/her constituents
Advantages and Disadvantages of electoral systems
Why people should use their vote
Methods used by Pressure Groups to influence MPs
Ways of participating in politics
Role of media during an election
Changing Society
In this part of the syllabus you should know:
Health needs of the elderly Housing needs of the elderly The needs of the unemployed: jobs, money Inequality between different elderly people because of wealth, health and
housing Inequality between families New technology and its impact on jobs The role of individuals, families, government and voluntary organisations in
meeting the needs of people such as the elderly, unemployed and those on low incomes
Before the Exam
Before your Standard Grade exam, you should revise each of these topics.
Knowledge and Understanding questions for this Syllabus Area will be based on three different concepts:
Equality Ideology Need
Questions could be based on the elderly, employment and unemployment or families in the UK.
Potential Question Themes
Policies introduced by Labour to help the unemployed
Needs of the elderly- health, mental, physical
The pension issue
Accommodation for the elderly
Living standards of different types of family
Problems faced by lone parents/older people in finding work
Causes of unemployment/ decline in heavy industry
Way the Government help elderly people/unemployed/lone parents- usually financially
China
In this part of the syllabus you should know:
The ideology of China (Communism, Central Party control) Equality and Inequality in China (wealth, rights, SEZ etc.) Participation in China Ways of protesting in China (legalities of protest) Human rights issues (Lagoai, Falun Gong, Punishments, Lack of rights)
Before your Standard Grade exam you should revise each of these topics.
Knowledge and Understanding questions for this Syllabus Area will be based on four concepts:
Equality Ideology Participation Rights and responsibilities
Potential Question Themes
Social Inequality in China
Development in the economy of China- foreign business, SEZs
Argument behind the call for increased political rights
Reasons for the wide gap between rich and poor
Barriers to development- Human Rights issues, nature of political system and treatment of non-CPC citizens
Recent developments in reducing inequalities- more participation at local level in politics, Hukou abolished and One Child Policy changed
Ways in which Human rights have improved/ ways in which they remain behind the rest of the world
International Relations
In this part of the syllabus you should know:
Reasons why countries benefit from membership of the European Union Reasons why countries benefit from membership of the United Nations Reasons why countries benefit from membership of NATO Aid to African countries from rich countries and organisations such as the
United Nations
Before your Standard Grade exam you should revise each of these topics.
Knowledge and Understanding questions for this Syllabus Area will be based on two different concepts:
Need Power
Questions could be based on Alliances or on the Politics of Aid to Africa
Potential Question Themes
Factors taken into consideration prior to giving of aid
Not all aid is good aid- meeting the needs of developing nations
The work of the UN agencies in Africa
Advantages/ Disadvantages of the Euro
Advantages/ Disadvantages of NATO membership
Recent conflicts- involvement of NATO/UN/EU
Issues surrounding growth in membership of the EU
Negative media images of Africa
Types of Enquiry Skills
There are two main types of Enquiry Skills to master for the Standard Grade paper:
Evaluating questions can be based on any of the topics included in the Standard Grade Modern Studies course, but you don't have to include any knowledge and understanding in your answers. You'll always be given sources and these will include all the information you require to answer the question.
Evaluating questions will ask you to:
Detect bias, exaggeration and selective use of facts Make comparisons within and between sources Express support for your own opinion, or someone else's opinion
For the Investigating questions you will need to include your own knowledge and understanding in your answers. You won't get any information from sources.
Each of these types of question will come up in the General and Credit papers. Investigating questions come in several stages and will ask you to:
State a hypothesis Give relevant aims or headings Choose a method of finding out information Describe how you would find information using that method Explain its advantages and disadvantages
Detect bias, exaggeration and selective use of facts
At General Level, the examples of exaggeration won‘t be so obvious and the sources will be relatively complicated. You‘ll have to give reasons for your answer.
At Credit Level, questions will usually use the phrase ‘selective use of facts‘. The sources will be quite long and complex and the examples of selective use of facts will not be obvious. You‘ll have to explain your answer in some detail.
Sometimes it‘s helpful to think of the words ‘bias‘, ‘exaggeration‘ and ‘selective use of facts‘ as meaning ‘wrong‘. Basically, when a person makes this sort of statement they‘re saying something that cannot be backed up from the evidence in front of you.
Make comparisons within and between sources
At General Level, the sources will be fairly complicated. If you‘re asked for differences, then it‘s a good idea to try and explain what the differences are.
At Credit Level, questions will usually have complex sources. The question may well ask you ‘what conclusions can be drawn from . . .‘. The most common mistake in this type of question is when pupils just repeat what the source says without drawing any conclusions.
Questions which ask you to reach a conclusion might involve you looking for :
Similarities Differences How things have changed over a period of time Things that are bigger or smaller.
Good words and phrases to use in answers to this type of question include:
In comparison with . . . Compared to . . . More than / less then . . . Bigger / smaller . . .
Express support for your own or someone else's opinion
At Foundation level, you‘ll be asked to use a simple source. Usually you‘ll be asked if you agree or disagree with what someone has said, and to give one reason for your answer.
At General Level, the sources will be more complicated and your explanation will need to be more detailed.
At Credit Level, there may be several complex sources and several possible opinions. You need to study the information very carefully before you answer
this type of question.
Investigating Skills
This type of question is different from all the other Enquiry Skills questions because you don't get any information from sources. To do well in Investigating, you need to have a certain amount of knowledge and understanding to answer.
The question is posed in several stages:
First of all you're told about a broad topic and asked to carry out an investigation into some aspect of it. The topic will be described in a box and identified by a large question mark, like this.
The topic will appear alongside a large question mark.
You're asked to:
State a hypothesis. Take note here, it's a statement you're asked for and, during the investigation, you'll prove whether it's true or false. Don't ever be tempted to write a hypothesis in the form of a question.
Give relevant aims or headings which will help you prove your hypothesis. This is where the question approach is useful. You would do well to start this part of the investigation by saying " To find out...
The third stage is to choose a method of finding out information for the investigation.
Your method should be relevant or suitable, because you'll be asked to apply it to the aims or headings you picked earlier. You're asked to describe, in detail, how you would find information using that method.
Not just that, you're asked to explain why it's a good method of finding out information for your investigation and what its shortcomings might be. In other words, you should explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Sometimes, instead if being asked to choose a method of enquiry, you'll be told which method to use. Even then, you'll be asked to explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Methods Advantages Disadvantages
Internet - Access a range of information from all over world
- Cost
- Faster than writing a letter - Time consuming to read through all the websites
- Available in most schools and homes. - Some websites may have biased information
- Email questions: Instant contact - The information might not have been updated
Writing a letter - Send it to someone who is well informed about your topic
- The person to whom you wrote may not answer your questions.
- You decide what questions to ask - The person you are writing to may not reply in time or they may not reply at all.
Interview - You can prepare questions in advance
- You may not be able to find a suitable person to interview
- You can add extra questions during the interview
- The person being interviewed might try to take over the interview.
- You can gauge the reactions of the person being interviewed.
- The person being interviewed might not give honest answers.
- It can be recorded and played back. -
Questionnaires - You can collect information from a large number of people and therefore make generalisations
- It is time consuming to conduct the questionnaire and collate the data.
- You can set the questions you ask. - People may refuse to answer your questions
- People may not tell the truth when answering.
CD Roms - Lots of information - Cannot be updated
- The information is presented in an interesting format.
- Some CD’s may be damaged or missing
- Easy to search for relevant information.
- Time consuming
Library - It will store back copies of newspapers
- Information in books may be out of date
- You can gain access to internet - You cannot withdraw reference books
- Staff are available to help with search - Some books/news may be missing
Video - You gain a visual impression of your research topic.
- Video may be out of date.
- Everyone has access to the television.
- Video may be damaged.
Observations at visit
- First hand experience - Not always possible or appropriate to visit somewhere related to your research topic.
- Able to draw own conclusions.
Hypothesis Topics (2000-2007)
Living Standards for different types of family
Equal opportunities in China
Methods used by members of a pressure group during a campaign to improve road safety
Equal Opportunities for men and women in China
UK aid to developing countries in Africa
Equality in China
Voting in the UK
The work of the United Nations in Africa
The work of the Chinese Communist Party
Changing Technology and work
The work of a local councillor
The EU in the 21st Century
Voting systems used in elections in Scotland
People’s attitude towards voting
Health Care in China
Education in China
Scotland and the European Union
REVISION REQUIRED?
How well do you know each of the syllabus areas?
Colour the boxes the following colours depending on how well you feel you understand the topic.
RED – I don’t understand it at all.AMBER – I understand but would not be happy answering an exam question on it.GREEN – I understand it.
LIVING IN A DEMOCRACY
VOTING AND ELECTIONS
Rights and ResponsibilitiesRepresentatives at different levelsWhat a democracy isThe importance of votingPolitical Parties including independent candidatesHow parties choose their candidates for electionCampaign methodsThe media’s role in political campaignsThe voting processThe areas of society not fairly represented in parliament and whyAdvantages and disadvantages of first the postAdvantages and disadvantages of Proportional RepresentationAdvantages and disadvantages of Additional Member systemHow each of the voting systems work
THE WORK OF AN MP/MSP
An MP/MSPs parliamentary workAn MP/MSPs constituency workHow constituents can contact their MP/MSPEffectiveness of various contact methodsHow an MP/MSP can represent their constituents at homeWays MP/MSPs can represent their constituents in parliament Conflict an MP/MSP may face regarding an issue
WESTMINSTER AND THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
Why a separate parliament was neededThe referendum and birth of the parliamentReserved and devolved powersHow the Scottish parliament worksHow Westminster worksThe role of the Scottish Exec and House of LordsProblems in relations between parliaments
PRESSURE GROUPS
What are theyHow they workAdvantages and disadvantages of themCampaign methods usedAre they good or bad for democracy.List some examples and what they campaign forRights and Responsibilities
TRADE UNIONS
What are theyWhat they campaign forHow they are organised – grassroots, shop steward, etcProtest methods usedWhy people choose not to join trade unionsHow grassroots members can participate in their TUWhy women and ethnic minorities are under-represented in TUsRights and Responsibilities
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (COUNCILS)
How local councillors are electedServices they provide/maintainHow services are fundedMandatory, permissive and discretionary servicesCouncil taxThe job of a councillorFull or Part time?Representative or not?
MISCELLANEOUS
Role of the media and its influenceAbility to detect bias in a sourceCapitalismCommunism
CHANGING SOCIETY
INTRODUCTION
Stereotypical view of an elderly personPrejudices faced by elderly peopleStatistics on numbers of elderly in UKForms of elder abuse
THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY
Typical needs of elderly peopleHow housing needs change throughout lifeSheltered housingResidential homesNursing homesOther housing solutions – adaptation, relatives, purpose builtSpecific health needs of the elderlyHow health needs are a drain on the NHSFinancial inequalityHow government and local government meet elderly financial needsPensionsFamily and voluntary organisation assistance
UNEMPLOYMENT
Why people workEffect unemployment could have on a personDefinition of unemploymentHow parties alter the definition and whyCauses of unemploymentInequality and unemployment
MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE UNEMPLOYEDThree main needs of the unemployedLocal council/private sector helpJob Seekers AllowanceSkill SeekersNew DealFootloose industriesDisabled discriminationEthnic minority discriminationGender discriminationHow new technology has affected employmentAdvantages and disadvantages of national minimum wage
FAMILY
Define nuclear familyDefine lone parent familyDefine extended familyExplain the changing roles of each in societyWhy birth rate has declinedVariation according to ethnic minority Variation according to genderChanging divorce patternsEffect of divorce patterns on family life
MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY
Basic needs of familiesWhy lone parent families need financial assistance and……how this affects the quality of their lifeThe Child Support AgencyCriticisms of the CSAFinancial help available from the governmentFinancial help available from other sourcesWhy lone parents find it difficult to find employment
THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE
What it isArguments forArguments against
POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES – CHINA.
THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE
Location and GeographySEZsMigration- push and pull factorsChina's potential
POLITICS, PARTICIPATION AND REPRESENTATION
How China became a Communism nationCentral Government OrganisationCommunist Party Leaders roleThe elections Chinese citizens can/cannot vote inPolitical Rights and Freedoms the citizens haveNeighbourhood UnitsFriendly PartiesRole in Tiananmen Square and oppression of Falun GongWhy people are put off voting/participatingInterest groups
ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
Centrally Planned EconomyThe Responsibility SystemEconomic inequality-be able to give examplesUnemployment, poverty and industrial unrestExploitation of workersThe HukouAdvantages and disadvantages of Industrial GrowthImpact of Beijing OlympicsThe Growth of Private Enterprise and SEZsThe New Chinese EliteA rural/urban divide
SOCIAL INEQUALITY
The One Child PolicyForced Labour and the LaogaiOppression of Religious GroupsCensorshipHIV/Aids ScandalThe EnvironmentEconomic inequality-be able to give examplesA rural/urban divide
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
POLITICS OF AID
Developed worldDeveloping worldBilateral aidMultilateral aidBoomerang/tied aidDFIDGood aid + list examplesBad aid + list examplesWhy countries give aidSocial factors affecting donor countryPolitical factors affecting donor countryEconomic factors affecting donor country
SUDAN
Social problems affecting the SudanPolitical problems affecting the SudanEconomic problems affecting the SudanThe cause of famine in the SudanSocial indicators–population, literacy + mortality rate, war, GNI, etcThe needs of SudanCountries that give aid to SudanCountries that don’t and reasons whyTypes of aid givenTypes of aid requiredProblems with aid distribution
THE UN AID AGENCIES
What the UN is and why it was establishedThe aims of the UN – including human rights charterList the specialised UN aid agenciesGive examples of what at least two agencies do to help
ALLIANCES
The needs of a countryPolitical benefits of joining an allianceEconomic benefits of joining an allianceSocial benefits of joining an alliance
THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
What the EU is and why it was established
The aims of the EUThe EU’s 4 main institutions and what they doPurpose of the 17 committees and name a fewHow laws are made in the EUProgress made on the aims of the Maastricht treatyMaastricht and Nice treaties effect on UK and Europe – good or badShould Britain become full member? Support with a few of the issues – fisheries and agricultural policy, single market, expansion, cost, etcJoining criteria for new member statesWhy the EU wants the euroSupport view on whether you think GB should adopt EuroExamples of recent work
NATO AND OTHER MILITARY ALLIANCES
Why we need military alliances – Yugoslavia and MilosevicRole of NATO and UN in Yugoslav conflictWhy NATO was establishedArms Race and the Cold WarNATO’s changing role since end of Cold War in 80sSupport view on whether NATO has a future NATO’s relations with EURapid Reaction ForceEnlargement of NATOThe different UN departments and what they doHow the different UN departments work together and problemsThe 4 ways the UN deals with conflictSupport your opinion on the effectiveness of UN peacekeepingUK’s role in the UN, EU and NATO anti-terrorist plansSupport your view on the war on terrorThe UK, security and the war on terror in AfghanistanThe UK, security and the war on terror in Iraq