Higher Grade Classical Studies
Topics Taught
This Higher course comprises two elements: Religion and Belief; and Classical Drama
Religion and Belief: SQA Support Material booklets are used for the core information in this element but are supplemented with notes produced within the department and by a range of textbooks available in class (including “Religion & the Greeks” and “Religion & the Romans”). The main focus is religion in 5th Century Athens and 1st Centuries BC and AD in Rome. Some of the topics covered in this section are:
Domestic religion & state religion (festivals)
Role of women
Mystery religions
The afterlife
Pupils are required to answer source questions on these topics, which develop their critical and analytical thinking, as they are asked to evaluate a range of unseen primary sources. Pupils must also answer essay questions on these topics.
Classical Drama: Pupils read three Greek plays in translation, namely Euripides' Medea (tragedy); Sophocles' Antigone (tragedy); and Aristophanes' Lysistrata (comedy).
These plays are treated both as literature and as primary sources which can give an insight into Athenian society in the 5th Century BC. Such social themes as ‘individual & authority’; ‘gender conflict & the role of women’; ‘the generation gap’; ‘nationalism & anti-nationalism’ are identified and discussed. Pupils answer essay questions on these plays.
Homework
Homework for Higher Classical Studies often consists of learning the factual information about the various topics, as well as answering practice questions involving the analysis of primary source material. Pupils will also often be required to produce essays on the drama and the religion and belief topics.
Assessments (Internal and External)
A pass in both units and in External Assessment is necessary to secure a course award. Details are as follows :
Internal Assessment :
Drama (1 assessment)
Religion and Belief (1 assessment)
External Assessment :
One three-hour paper, including source questions and three essays.
Prelim examinations assess Sophocles’ Antigone and Euripides’ Medea, as well as a number of topics from the Religion and Belief part of the course. The exam is a combination of NAB unit assessment material, alongside questions which are produced internally.
Informal tests in any of the above elements may be conducted during the session, at the discretion of the class teacher.