Faculty of Humanities

Classical Civilisation

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Guide to A Level Classical Civilisation (OCR)

Minimum recommended entry requirements:
Grade B in GCSE English

You do not need to have studied Classical Civilisation before to do this course.

This new course is designed to give you a good grounding in both the Greek and Roman civilisations and will also give you the opportunity to learn about their lives through looking at their art and through reading some of the greatest literature ever written.
The syllabus details are given below for both the AS and A2 courses.

Advanced Supplementary (AS)

This involves the study of three modules:

Greek Epic (Homer)
Greek Tragedy 1 (Aeschylus and Sophocles)
Greek Art and Architecture 1 (Archaic)

This course can be completed within one year and will, therefore, be examined by three examinations, each of
1 hour and 30 minutes in length. The examination itself will involve answering a context question and an essay.

Advanced Level (A2)

This includes the work covered at AS but will involve the study of a further three modules, which all follow on.

Greek and Roman Epic (Homer and Vergil)
Greek Tragedy 2 (Euripides)
Independent Study (Coursework)

We do offer coursework in this subject and it is up to the student to identify the area of particular interest to herself. One piece of 3000 words will be produced. Work on this begins after the AS modules and is completed in the first term of the A2 year.

The teaching of the course involves a variety of strategies such as teacher led sessions, discussions, critical analysis of art, as well as student prepared sessions. The latter will enable you to produce work towards the Key Skills qualification.

This course has always attracted students from a wide range of disciplines including Science, although it is particularly suited to those following English, Drama, Art, History and other Humanities subjects. However, there are no restrictions as to who can follow this course providing that you can write an essay!

The course is enhanced by visits. There will be the opportunity to see the production of a Greek play (in English); these are put on annually as part of the London Greek Drama Festival. Time is also taken to visit the British Museum to study the art and architecture that has influenced the modern world so much. Studying a Classics course also entitles you to take part in the Classics trip abroad, which has always proved to be a successful, enjoyable and memorable experience for both staff and students.

Students who have completed an A Level course in Classical Civilization have gone on to study a wide range of degrees at University. Every year some students choose to continue their Classics, although others have done sciences, history, accountancy etc. It will not limit your choices for the future, but it will provide you with an enjoyable course to study along the way.

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