Scottish National 5 (Nat 5) Modern Studies Syllabus

What is meant by 'social inequality'?

Social inequality is the unequal distribution of wealth, income, opportunities, health, education and life chances between different groups in society.

Name three groups in society most likely to experience social inequality in the UK.

Women, ethnic minorities, disabled people, older people, and those living in poverty / low-income or deprived areas.

What is the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty?

Absolute poverty is lacking the basic necessities for survival (food, shelter, clothing). Relative poverty is having significantly less income than the average in one's society — commonly defined as below 60% of median household income.

State the common UK threshold used to define relative poverty.

A household is generally in relative poverty if its income is below $60\%$ of the median UK household income (after housing costs).

Give two causes of poverty in the UK.

Unemployment or low-paid/insecure work, ill health or disability, low educational attainment, family breakdown, and high cost of living / debt.

What is the 'gender pay gap'?

The gender pay gap is the difference in average (mean or median) earnings between men and women across the workforce, usually expressed as a percentage of men's pay.

Name two ways the UK Government tries to respond to social inequality.

Providing welfare benefits (e.g. Universal Credit), the National Minimum/Living Wage, free NHS healthcare, free education, and equality legislation such as the Equality Act 2010.

What is the Equality Act 2010, and name two of its protected characteristics.

The Equality Act 2010 is UK law that makes discrimination unlawful. Protected characteristics include age, disability, race, sex, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy/maternity, and marriage/civil partnership.

What is the National Minimum Wage / National Living Wage?

It is the legal minimum hourly rate an employer must pay workers; the National Living Wage is the higher rate for older workers, set to reduce in-work poverty.

How do voluntary organisations and charities respond to inequality? Give an example.

They provide direct support, services and campaigning that the state may not fully cover — e.g. food banks (Trussell Trust), Shelter (housing), and Citizens Advice.

What is the purpose of welfare benefits such as Universal Credit?

To provide a financial safety net for people on low incomes or out of work, reducing poverty and helping with living costs, housing and children.

Distinguish between a 'crime' and a 'civil wrong' in Scots law.

A crime is an offence against the state/public, prosecuted by the state and punishable (e.g. assault, theft). A civil wrong is a dispute between individuals/organisations (e.g. breach of contract) resolved by compensation, not punishment.

Name three causes of crime.

Poverty and inequality, unemployment, drug and alcohol misuse, peer pressure, lack of education, poor upbringing/family breakdown, and greed.

Name the two main criminal courts in Scotland and what each deals with.

The Sheriff Court deals with less serious and many mid-level crimes (with a sheriff, sometimes a jury of 15). The High Court of Justiciary deals with the most serious crimes (e.g. murder, rape) with a judge and a jury of 15.

How many jurors sit on a Scottish criminal jury, and how many verdicts are available?

A Scottish criminal jury has 15 jurors. There are three verdicts: guilty, not guilty, and the uniquely Scottish 'not proven' (an acquittal).

List the main aims of punishment.

Retribution (punishment), deterrence (discouraging crime), protection of the public, and rehabilitation/reform of the offender.

Name three responses to crime used in Scotland other than prison.

Community Payback Orders (unpaid work), fines, electronic tagging/monitoring, probation/social work supervision, and early intervention programmes.

What is a 'world power'? Give one example.

A world power is a country with significant economic, military, political and cultural influence on the global stage — e.g. the USA, China, or Russia.

Name three reasons a country is considered a world power.

A strong economy/large GDP, powerful armed forces (often including nuclear weapons), large population, membership of key international organisations, and political/cultural influence.

Give two examples of socio-economic issues facing a world power such as the USA.

Poverty and income inequality, healthcare access, racial inequality/discrimination, gun crime, immigration, and unemployment in certain regions.

What is meant by a 'world issue'? Give two examples.

A world issue is a problem affecting many countries that usually requires international cooperation to solve — e.g. terrorism, climate change, poverty, war/conflict, refugees, and disease/pandemics.

Name two causes of a world issue such as terrorism or conflict.

Political grievances or ideology, religious extremism, poverty and inequality, competition over resources/land, and historical or ethnic tensions.

Name two consequences of a world issue such as conflict or terrorism.

Loss of life and injury, displacement of people/refugees, destruction of infrastructure, economic damage, fear/instability, and humanitarian crises.

What is the United Nations (UN), and what is its main aim?

The UN is an international organisation of nearly all the world's countries; its main aim is to maintain international peace and security, promote cooperation, human rights and development.

Name the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

The USA, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China — each holding a veto.

What is NATO and what is its core principle?

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) is a military alliance. Its core principle is collective defence (Article 5): an armed attack on one member is treated as an attack on all.

Name one way an international organisation such as the UN tries to resolve a world issue.

Sending peacekeeping forces, imposing sanctions, providing humanitarian aid (e.g. through UNICEF/WHO), and negotiating treaties or ceasefires.

What does it mean to 'detect bias' in a source, and name one sign of bias.

Detecting bias means identifying when a source unfairly favours one side. Signs include one-sided/selective information, emotive or loaded language, leaving out opposing views, and presenting opinion as fact.

What is exaggeration, and how can you spot it in a source?

Exaggeration is overstating something to make it seem bigger or more extreme than it is. Spot it through extreme words like 'all', 'every', 'never', 'always', 'huge', and claims that go beyond the supporting evidence.

In Modern Studies source skills, what is the rule for 'drawing a valid conclusion'?

A valid conclusion must be supported by evidence from the source(s); you select relevant information, often link/compare two sources, and back up each conclusion with specific facts or figures rather than personal opinion.

When 'making a decision' from sources, what should a good answer include?

A clear recommendation (which option to choose), supported by evidence from the sources for that option, plus a reason for rejecting the other option using evidence against it.