CLASSICAL CIVILISATION

Examination Board: OCR

AS Code: 3816 A2 Code: 7816

	acquire, through studying literature in translation and material evidence, knowledge and understanding of selected aspects of Classical Greek and Roman Civilisation;
	develop awareness of the similarities and differences between the Classical world and later times, and thus to gain a sensitivity to past societies whose spiritual, cultural and moral values and priorities contrast with those of the modern western world;
	apply critical and evaluative skills at an appropriate level to evidence of different kinds from the material studied;
	progress to Higher Education courses, or directly into employment.

Prior Level of Attainment
There is no requirement for prior learning or attainment (eg GCSE in Classical Civilisation or knowledge of Latin or Greek)

Course Content Summary - Advanced Subsidiary (AS)

Three modules are studied: Greek Tragedy 2, Roman Epic, and Roman Britain. Assessment is by examination, with no coursework.

• Greek Tragedy 2 -Euripides
This module deals principally with literature and society, but is also concerned with history, religion and values. The main focus is a close study of three plays by Euripides (in translation), exploring dramatic technique and conventions, the use of music and dance, treatment of character and use of language, and taking into consideration how 5th-century Athenians viewed the gods, their role in the world and their festivals, the stories of the heroes, and the roles of men and women in the life of the city.

• Roman Epic -Virgil's Aeneid
This module also deals with literature, and the context and influences of the epic tradition, but also society, politics, religion and history. The Aeneid is studied both as a literary work and as Virgil's response to the political and social developments of his day. Areas of study include the concept of the epic hero, the gods and fate, literary technique, characterisation and the moral values of the poem.

• Roman Britain -the Occupation and Tacitus's Agricola
Dealing principally with areas of history and archaeology, and, to a lesser extent, literature. The focus is on the various types of written evidence for the Roman conquest and occupation of Britain, and the factors which influenced the Roman decision to invade. The campaigns of Caesar and Agricola, the Roman army and military sites are studied in detail, giving consideration to the nature of Britain at the time of the conquest, the reliability of the available source material and the motives of Roman authors who wrote about Britain.

Course Content Summary - A2 level

The course comprises three modules: Greek Tragedy 1 and Greek Epic, both assessed by examination, and the Individual Study (coursework).

• Greek Tragedy 1 -Aeschylus and Sophocles
This module deals with the same areas as Greek Tragedy 2. The main focus is a close study of one of Aeschylus's and two of Sophocles's plays, together with an exploration of the relationships, developments, similarities and differences between the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. At A2 students are examined on the content of both Tragedy modules.

• Greek Epic - Homer's Iliad or Odyssey
In addition to studying the prescribed texts and analysing Homer's literary technique, students explore the relationship between Greek and Roman, oral and literary epic, and focus on the moral and social values expressed in the poems, including the concepts of "honour" and "reputation", the part played by women, the role of the gods and the power of Fate. Students are examined on both Greek and Roman Epic.

• Coursework
Students research a topic of their own choice and submit an essay of approximately 3000 words for assessment.

Links to Careers, Employment and Higher Education
This course is an excellent preparation for reading Classical Civilisation, Ancient History or Archaeology at university, but also a good foundation for a degree in History, Philosophy, English or Modern Languages. With their analytical skills and the intellectual flexibility that comes from studying a wide range of disciplines (for example literature, history, philosophy) Classics graduates are highly employable and a vast range of careers is open to them, including education, politics, civil service, industry, finance, journalism and broadcasting.

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