Classical Civilisation

Students will need to demonstrate an ability to study at least 3 A-level subjects by achieving an average of 38 points over 8 GCSEs with a Grade 4 at least in English and Mathematics. Students should gain a Grade 6 or above in subjects they wish to study at A Level. Points are worked out on the bases that a Grade 9 = 9 points, Grade 8 = 8 points etc.

Please check for subject specific requirements.

Please note, our preferred method of application is via https://wymondhamhigh.applicaa.com/year12

CLASSICAL CIVILISATION IS A RICH, diverse and exciting course. It is, in essence, the study of the Ancient World, namely the Greeks and the Romans. The legacy of these two great cultures underpins and has inspired a vast array of the world around us today. Its influence has directly developed such diverse topics as art and archaeology, literature and law, drama and democracy, philosophy and politics and of course the study of history itself.

CONTENT

We will be following a new and exciting syllabus from OCR. The course is divided into 3 units and each will be assessed in a written exam at the end of Year 13.
The World of the Hero
Students will study two of the greatest and oldest stories. First, the Odyssey by Homer, that tells the tale of the great Greek hero Odysseus’ journey home from Troy. This will then be compared to the archetypal Roman hero, Aeneas, in Virgil’s masterpiece, the Aeneid, which plots his escape from Troy and his desperate attempts to find a ‘new’ Troy. Who will emerge as the greater hero, Odysseus or Aeneas?
Greek Theatre
Central to the culture and politics of the Athenians was their invention of theatre. Wildly different in style and substance students will examine both tragedy and comedy through the work of 3 great playwrights, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. What do their plays reveal about this amazing civilisation?
Love & Relationships
What can we learn about gender relations between Greek and Roman men and women? What does their philosophy reveal about their views on life? What does the poetry of Sappho and Ovid tell us about the Ancients views on love and sex, marriage and relationships?

The course mirrors this diversity and offers a unique opportunity for students to study all of these diverse topics within one subject. It represents a perfect compliment for students planning to study English Literature, Drama, Politics, History and/or Philosophy and Ethics. CONTENT We will be following a syllabus from the AQA exam board. The course is divided into 4 units; two taught in Year 12 and assessed by written examination and a further two taught in Year 13 and likewise assessed through written examination. The units chosen are as follows:

UNIT 1 Women in Athens This unit involves the study of women in Athens and Rome, the values and attitudes implicit in their role and status and their position and treatment within society and religion.

UNIT 2 Homer’s Odyssey This unit involves the study of one of the first great works of literature: Homer’s Odyssey – a fabulous account of Odysseus’ long, dramatic and cursed voyage home from the Trojan War while the meddling Gods manipulate events from on high. It includes the study of some of the key chapters in this fabulous story and explores the key characters and themes. It will also involve placing the Odyssey within its historical context through exploring elements of this rich and diverse period of Greek history.

UNIT 3 Greek tragedy This unit involves the study of four gripping tragedies, Oedipus, Antigone, Hippolytus and Medea by two legendary Greek dramatists, Sophocles and Euripides. The characters, themes and dramatic techniques are studied and placed within the context of Athens in the excitingly creative 5th Century BC.

UNIT 4 Tiberius and Claudius This unit explores the thrilling history, literature and culture during 40 turbulent years of the Roman Empire. It explores the personalities of three of Rome’s most notorious Emperors: Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius and the events by which they were shaped.

‘An unexamined life is not worth living’ - Socrates

Grade 6 in English Literature and/or History. No
knowledge of Latin or Greek is required to study
the course.

Students will need to have a willingness to
develop an interest in Greek and Roman history,
literature and culture. They will learn to write well argued
and structured essays and be prepared to
read both on and around the subject. They will be
expected to take an active part in class debates
and discussions and be willing both to work
independently and think for themselves. They will
be expected to analyse and evaluate the content
of the course and will be assessed on their written
responses in exam conditions.

It is a highly prized academic subject that is an established gateway for most University courses. The inherent analytical and communication skills required for success are greatly valued by all future employers.