Classical Civilisation
Exam Board: OCR
Head of Department: Miss P J Anderson
Am I suited to this course?
Classical Civilisation involves the study of the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome, primarily through literature (drama, narrative and history), archaeology and the visual arts (art and architecture). No previous experience or study of Latin, Greek or Classical Civilisation is required: just an interest in the ancient world.
What will we study?
There are various options that can be covered both at AS and A2 levels. At both levels students study 2 topics.
AS
We will be studying the following two modules, one Greek, one Roman.
Archaeology: Mycenae and the classical world.
In this module you will investigate the roots of Greek civilisation, studying the Mycenaean world. You will explore the archaeological evidence for Bronze Age Greece, and the citadels of legendary kings such as Agamemnon, leader of the Trojan expedition.
City Life in Roman Italy:
The principal focus of this unit is on history, society and values. You can study the archaeological remains of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Ostia and a selection of literary sources for information about the lives of their inhabitants.
What work will I do at AS level?
Your progess will depend largely on reading ancient sources in translation and on studying pictures and representations of archaeological sites and original vases, and recording your understanding and evaluation of them.
How will my A level grade be assessed?
Each topic is tested in an exam, which requires both an essay and detailed comment on an extract from the text or visual image.
A2
At this level we plan to study "Roman Britain: Life in the Outpost of the Empire"; and either "Virgil and the World of the Hero","Comic Drama in the Ancient World", or "Greek History: Conflict and Culture".
For the first time it is possible to combine modules from the Classical Civilisation syllabus with modules from the Latin or Ancient Greek syllabus, following a pathway to a combined "Classics" A level. Please ask for details.