CLASSICAL STUDIES
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING
Higher
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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
researching and using information collected from a range of
sources of evidence
evaluating the reliability and value of a range of complex sources of
evidence to draw detailed conclusions
structuring and sustaining lines of reasoned argument about
universal ideas, themes or values
interpreting and understanding a range of complex sources of
evidence to understand issues from classical Roman society,
including archaeological evidence, to draw detailed conclusions
in-depth knowledge and understanding of universal ideas, themes,
or values revealed by classical literature
in-depth 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
Advanced Higher
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evaluating, analysing and synthesising evidence from a wide range
of sources
synthesising information in order to structure and sustain lines of
argument evaluating some of the religious, political, social, moral or
cultural aspects of ancient Greek and Roman civilisation
comparing and contrasting classical Greek, Roman and modern
societies
evaluating and interpreting sources
justifying appropriate research issues
planning and managing a complex programme of research
sourcing, collecting and recording appropriate and reliable
information
evaluating, analysing and synthesising information
using appropriate referencing conventions
demonstrating an in-depth knowledge and understanding of
universal human themes and values which have a continuing
impact on contemporary society
an in-depth knowledge and understanding of classical sources
COURSE STRUCTURE
Higher
Course Structure: 3 Units and Course Assessment
Life in Classical Greece
Classical Literature
Life in the Roman World
Advanced Higher
Course Structure: 2 Units and Course Assessment
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Social Aspects of the Classical World
Researching the Classical World
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Higher
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (60 marks)
Component 2 – assignment (30 marks)
Question Paper
Section 1, titled ‘Life in Classical Greece’, will have 20 marks.
Section 2, titled ‘Classical Literature’ will have 20 marks.
Section 3, titled ‘Life in the Roman World’ will have 20 marks.
All three sections will be made up of extended response questions
requiring the learner to draw on the skills, knowledge and
understanding acquired during the Course.
The question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted
in centres under conditions specified for external examinations by
SQA. Learners will complete this in 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Assignment
This assignment will give learners an opportunity to demonstrate
the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
 identifying an appropriate Classical Studies issue about which
there are alternative or different points of view
 researching the issue
 analysing the issue
 synthesising information in a structured manner
 drawing on in-depth knowledge and understanding to explain
fully and analyse the issue
 comparing and contrasting the Greek and/or Roman worlds
with the modern world, in terms of religious, political, social,
moral or cultural life
 reaching a detailed and well-reasoned conclusion on the issue
 describing supporting information and potential
challenges/counter-arguments
The assignment is managed by centres within SQA guidelines and
conducted under a high level of supervision and control. Evidence
will be submitted to SQA for external marking.
Advanced Higher
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (100 marks)
Component 2 – project: dissertation (50 marks)
Question Paper
Section 1: Classical Literature will have 50 marks. Learners will choose one
Part and answer all questions in this Part only.
1. History and Historiography
2. Individual and Community
3. Heroes and Heroism
4. Comedy, Satire and Society
Part 2: Classical Society will have 50 marks and will be made up of
extended response questions requiring the learner to draw on the
knowledge, understanding and skills acquired during the Course. Learners
will choose two questions to answer from this Part.
This question paper will be set and marked by SQA, and conducted in
centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.
Learners will complete this in 3 hours.
Project: Dissertation
The project: dissertation will give learners an opportunity to undertake
independent research in order to demonstrate the following skills,
knowledge and understanding:
 justifying an appropriate complex Classical Studies issue for
research
 using a wide range of sources of information
 evaluating, analysing and synthesising evidence
 synthesising information to structure and sustain lines of
argument to progress towards a conclusion
 organising, presenting and referencing findings using appropriate
conventions
The project: dissertation will be managed by centres within SQA guidelines
and marked by SQA. It will be conducted under some supervision and
control. Evidence for assessment will be produced independently by the
learner, in time to meet a submission date set by SQA.