Course Live_AC_paperturn-3 - Flipbook - Page 18
CLASSICAL
CIVILISATION
A Level
Classical Civilisation is the study of ancient Greek and
Roman cultures. The ultimate humanities subject, it
comprises a wide range of disciplines, from literature to
art and archaeology, to politics, history and economics,
mythology and philosophy.
You will study works of epic and lyrical poetry, works of
philosophy, tragedies, comedies, and you will develop an
understanding of how these disciplines interrelate in order
to think critically and creatively about the foundations of
Western culture and society.
Many students progress to degree courses in Classics. It is
also excellent preparation for degrees in Literature, History,
Politics, Philosophy, Law and Drama/Theatre Studies. It is
widely recognised as highly beneficial for a huge variety
of career paths, including journalism, banking, politics, the
creative arts, the fine art market, and academia.
COURSE CONTENT
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
YEAR 1
Standard Advanced Level entry
requirements
Students are able to contextualise complex
source material; develop analytical and
evaluative skills expressing themselves with
purpose, clarity and confidence.
• Greek Drama: we explore Greek theatre
by reading two tragedies and a slapstick
comedy. The playwrights use myths to
explore important issues concerning
relationships between men and women,
family and society, the ruler and his
people, human beings and the gods.
This unit also involves the study of visual/
material culture.
• World of the Hero: we read Homer’s
epic poem ‘The Iliad’, considering issues
of love and revenge, honour and shame,
heroism and suffering during the epic
siege of Troy. As Achilles and the other
humans count the cost, the immortal gods
look down carefree from Mount Olympus.
assessment
100% exam
YEAR 2
• Love, conflict, sex, and relations in
Greece and Rome: here, we explore
the power of emotions with Plato,
Seneca, Sappho and Ovid through their
approaches to the pain and joy of desire.
• Virgil’s epic poem ‘The Aeneid’, we
explore what it was to be a hero in the
Roman world, including the moral values
implicit in the text, such as duty to gods,
state and family; the importance of fate
and destiny.
VA R N D E A N S I X T H F O R M C O L L E G E 2 0 2 6
OTHER INFORMATION
Each year there is a trip to either Rome or
Athens. There are also opportunities for
visits to plays, workshops and talks.
CAREER PATHWAYS
Degree courses in Classics/Classical
Civilisation, Literature, History, Politics,
Philosophy, Law and Drama/Theatre
Studies. It is widely recognised as highly
beneficial for a huge variety of career paths
including journalism, banking, politics and
academia.
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