History & Modern Studies

Welcome to History and Modern Studies

History and Modern Studies form one Faculty at the Royal High School.

Both departments deliver core and certificate courses for all learners from S1-6. History and Modern Studies allows learners to develop their understanding of the world by learning about other people and their values, in different places, times and circumstances. We build on the pupils’ knowledge and understanding and develop the skills of enquiry and critical thinking which will help them at school and in their adult life. Employers and academic institutions place a high value on skills developed through the study of History and Modern Studies.

• develop a coherent and balanced understanding of Scottish, British, European and world history
• develop thinking skills
• develop skills in literacy through using and synthesising information in a variety of ways
• research and investigate themes and events
• synthesise information from a wide range of sources to produce detailed and reasoned lines of argument

Learners will be able to:

• achieve an understanding of contemporary society and their place in it
• research, understand and use a wide range of evidence on contemporary issues
• evaluate, analyse and synthesise evidence in order to detect and explain the degree of objectivity
• make and justify decisions and draw conclusions with supporting evidence
• construct complex arguments in a balanced and structured way
• communicate, by a variety of means, views, opinions, decisions and conclusions based on evidence

Specific aims of the National Progression Award (NPA) SCQF Level 5

• Enhance the knowledge and understanding of learners and to enable them to make use of this knowledge and understanding to describe aspects of Criminology
• Develop a basic understanding of the criminal justice system
• Develop an understanding of the contribution of the study of crime to the modern world and human behaviour
• Develop an open-minded and critical approach to study
• Potential to experience a range of assessment methods
• Gain knowledge and understanding of the importance of evidence-based research, including investigation and research skills
• Gain knowledge of competing views, perspectives, theories and evidence relating to the causes of crime
• Gain insight into the way crime and criminal justice operates