SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY – DECEMBER 2011 CURRIC ULUM EVENTS – COURSE AIMS AND STRUCTURE
SUBJECT:
CLASSICAL STUDIES
PURPOSE:
The Classical Studies Course opens up the world of classical society for learners. The purpose of this Course is
to develop the learner’s knowledge and understanding of the classical Greek and Roman civilisations by comparing and
contrasting these societies with the modern world. This will be achieved through successful study of the Course Units: Life
in Classical Greece; Cla ssical Literature; and Life in the Roman World. This Course will develop skills to help learners
understand, explain and link the classical and modern worlds.
Access 3
National 4
National 5
Higher
COURSE AIMS
 gain a basic knowledge and
understanding of some of the
religious, political, social, moral
and cultural beliefs and values
of the classical societies
 comment on a limited range of
sources of evidence, including
archaeological evidence
 gain a basic understanding of
ideas associated with universal
human themes and values
raised by classical texts
 be aware of how the issues
raised in the classical world
remain relevant to an
understanding of modern
 knowledge and
understanding of the
social, religious,
political, moral and
cultural practices of
classical Greek and
Roman societies
 knowledge and
understanding of the
role of the citizen in
classical Greek and
Roman societies
 an awareness of
universal human
themes, issues and
values raised by
classical texts
 knowledge and
understanding of the
social, religious,
political, moral and
cultural practices of
classical Greek and
Roman societies
 knowledge and
understanding of the
role of the citizen in
classical Greek and
Roman societies
 awareness of universal
human themes, issues
and values raised by
classical texts
 knowledge and understanding
of public and private religious
ideas and practices and the
interaction between religion,
personal morality and identity
in classical societies
 knowledge and understanding
of the political and social
structures of classical
societies
 the ability to evaluate
relatively complex sources of
evidence from classical
societies
 awareness of universal
human themes, issues and
Access 3
society
National 4
an enhanced
awareness of modern
society and its GraecoRoman heritage
 an interest in the
classical world —
potentially leading to
further study and
personal enrichment

National 5
Higher
values raised by classical
 an enhanced awareness
texts
of modern society and
its Graeco-Roman
 the capacity to compare and
heritage
contrast the classical world
with modern society
 an interest in the
classical world —
potentially leading to
further study and
personal enrichment
STRUCTURE, ASSESSMENT AND HIERARCHIES
3 Units
3 Units and Added Value
Unit
3 Units, Question Paper
and Assignment
3 Units, Question Paper and
Assignment
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
 commenting on the usefulness
of a limited range of sources of
evidence
 drawing and supporting a basic
conclusion about universal
human themes and values
raised by a classical text
 commenting on an issue
revealed by a limited range of
sources of evidence, including
archaeological evidence, from
life in the Roman world
 develop and apply basic
knowledge and
understanding and a
limited range of skills in
straightforward contexts
from classical Greek or
Roman societies or
literature, by comparing
and contrasting
religious, political, moral
and cultural values and
practices between the
 develop and apply
knowledge and skills
from across classical
Greek and Roman
societies and literature,
by comparing and
contrasting religious,
political, moral and
cultural values and
practices between the
classical and modern
world
 the ability to develop and
apply knowledge and
understanding from across
classical Greek and Roman
societies and literature,
comparing and contrasting
the religious, political, social,
moral and cultural values and
practices of the classical and
modern worlds to draw
reasoned and detailed
conclusions
Access 3
 drawing on a basic knowledge
and understanding of some
aspects of life in 5th century
BCE Athens such as religion,
politics, society, morality or
culture and comparing these
with the modern world
 drawing on a basic knowledge
and understanding of a
classical text
 drawing on a basic knowledge
and understanding of aspects
of life in Rome in the 1st
century BCE and the 1st
century CE from a range of
topics such as religion, politics,
society, morality or culture and
comparing these with the
modern world





National 4
classical and modern
world
with limited guidance,
research and use
straightforward
information collected
from a limited range of
straightforward classical
sources which are
familiar
evaluate the value and
reliability of a limited
range of straightforward
classical sources from
familiar contexts
analyse and respond to
universal human
themes, issues and
values and social and
moral issues as
presented in classical
literature, taking into
account the
consequences of
actions/inactions for
individuals and society
understand and interpret
a limited range of
straightforward classical
sources from familiar
contexts
demonstrate a basic
National 5
 research and use
information collected
from a range of classical
sources which are
mostly familiar but may
include some aspects
which are new
 evaluate the value and
reliability of a range of
sources of evidence,
which are mostly
straightforward but may
have some more
complex features
 analyse and respond to
universal human
themes, issues and
values as presented in
classical literature,
drawing conclusions
and generalising, where
appropriate
 understand and interpret
a range of classical
sources which are
mostly familiar but may
include some aspects
which are new
 demonstrate a basic
knowledge and
understanding of some
of the religious, political,
Higher
 evaluating the reliability and
value of a wide range of
relatively complex sources of
evidence to draw detailed
conclusions
 structuring and sustaining
lines of reasoned argument
about universal human issues
and values
 interpreting and
understanding a wide range
of relatively complex sources
of evidence to understand
issues from classical Roman
society, including
archaeological evidence, to
draw detailed conclusions
 factual and analytical
knowledge and understanding
of universal human issues
and values as revealed by
classical literature
 factual and analytical
knowledge and understanding
of a range of religious,
political, social, moral and
cultural values and practices
of classical Greek and
classical Roman societies,
providing detailed
explanations
Access 3
National 4
knowledge and
understanding of some
of the religious, political,
moral and cultural
values and practices of
classical Greek and
classical Roman
societies by describing
information which is
mainly factual and give
straightforward
explanations which
compare the classical
and modern worlds
National 5
moral and cultural
values and practices of
classical Greek and
classical Roman
societies, by describing
information and
providing explanations
which are mainly factual
but have some
theoretical content,
which compare the
classical and modern
worlds
Higher