I’ve been a modern studies teacher in some capacity for 35 years, and it remains one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world.
The long story of modern studies - the Modern Studies Association (MSA) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year - is a fascinating one.
It is a subject that is unique to Scotland and is surely one of modern-day Scottish education’s best achievements.
Modern studies began as a grassroots initiative in the early 1960s. Teachers felt there was a need for a subject that taught the fundamentals of political literacy, such as how political institutions worked, the differences between different political philosophies and how contrasting voting systems functioned.
Other countries’ secondary schools taught some kind of “citizenship” and politics was a popular academic discipline at universities here, but there was little politics taught in Scottish secondary schools. Unless it was taught in the home, young people were leaving school with no knowledge of how to participate in the political process in an informed way.
There was scepticism, indeed hostility, to modern studies. Some believed it was a red front, communism by the back door. Teachers of other subjects such as geography and history saw it as a rival and feared for their own dominance.
Modern studies was branded “not a real subject” and, until relatively recently, this was the real battle it had to fight: convincing headteachers and other decision makers that, not only was it of value educationally but that it could offer real skills and career opportunities other subjects did not.
In the early days, major education publishers would not publish bespoke modern studies textbooks. Teachers were forced to adapt university-level textbooks, which were at the wrong level or came from the English curriculum and had content that was irrelevant.
The MSA self-published content teachers could use and became a conduit for the sharing of good practice. It lobbied local authorities on the value of modern studies to schools. Year by year, more and more young people left school with modern studies qualifications.
Today, modern studies is the Scottish Qualification Authority’s sixth-most popular subject at Higher level. It is highly regarded by university faculties - social sciences, as you would expect, but law in particular. If you look at a first-year university law exam, you could be forgiven for thinking it had been stolen from the modern studies syllabus.
A pivotal moment for me was watching Ken Loach’s 1996 film Carla’s Song. It’s about a Glasgow bus driver, played by Robert Carlyle, who befriends a Nicaraguan refugee. He’s explaining to his little sister why she’s in Scotland, talking about the Sandinista revolution and the US-backed Contras waging their guerrilla war. His little sister replies, “I know all that, we do this in modern studies!”
It’s not for everyone, but “moddies”, as they call it, is many pupils’ favourite subject. It brings the study of politics to life by fusing it with social issues, such as inequalities in health, crime and life opportunities. There is also the attraction of an international dimension, with teachers having the option to focus on particular countries or world issues.
Modern studies teaches skills for life; respect for facts and logic; how to make decisions based on evidence and to detect bias and exaggeration. In this post-truth, fake news world of today, where so many consume “facts” from the echo chamber of social media, these skills are surely more important than ever.
Modern studies teachers know their own biases and are more able to park them and do their job: their job is to be balanced and forever pose questions. During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, when they were allowed, (some local authorities took the disgraceful stance of banning debate on the independence issue) it was modern studies teachers who took the lead in explaining the background to the issue and how to detect selectivity in the use of facts, from both sides.
Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) has been a challenge for all in Scottish education, but modern studies teachers are hardwired to embrace change - as seen in their responses to complex and fast-changing news events such as the Covid pandemic and the crisis in Ukraine. You can’t teach modern studies without being willing to reflect and open up to better ways of doing things.
Here’s to another 50 years of growth and success for modern studies.
The MSA 50th Anniversary Celebration Evening will be held at The Woodside Hotel, Aberdour, on the evening of Saturday 3 September. The event is free for past and present teachers of modern studies - details here.
John McTaggart is an education writer and consultant who was previously a teacher of modern studies and politics
